The TYPIC-AL project is financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation — Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by CIHEAM Bari in synergy with the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The project is focused on bringing back to life indigenous grape varieties such as Muskat Kanell, Gëms and especially Serina e Bardhë.

These varieties are the focus of the support provided by the TYPIC-AL Project to the Incubator run by the Agriculture Cooperation Society “Grabovica” for the creation of a new vineyard dedicated exclusively to local grape varieties.

This initiative aims to promote the territory, to protect biodiversity, and create new business opportunities, starting with local producer organisations.

Once the seedlings are ready, they will be transferred and planted on the incubator’s ground and there, the new vineyard of typical local grapes will be born.

Mayor of Pogradec Ilir Xhakolli said that in addition to identifying and preserving traditional grape varieties, the project has also included financing the purchase of modern agricultural machinery and technological equipment, which give farmers the opportunity to work with more efficient tools and according to European standards.

According to him, the project has supported the creation of a new cooperation structure between farmers, through agricultural associations, helping to reduce production costs, share advanced technology and benefit from professional training provided by experts from CIHEAM Bari and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The benefits for the rural community are obvious: increased production of indigenous grapes, the restore of rare varieties, better access to the market, increased income and the creation of new employment opportunities in the agricultural and agro-processing sectors.

This project represents an example of successful cooperation between Albanian institutions and international partners. The Italian Cooperation, CIHEAM Bari and the Ministry of Agriculture have reaffirmed their commitment to support the farmers of Pogradec, to preserve biodiversity and to develop a more sustainable and competitive agriculture.

In this context, the creation of the Agriculture Cooperation Society “Grabovica” and the union of farmers is considered an important first step towards building capacities of local producers. According to project representatives, only through cooperation the farmers can benefit more from EU programs and projects supported by the Albanian government. /j.p/p.s./

An activity with an early tradition in our country, the favorable climate and numerous varieties of autochthonous vineyards create opportunities for the production of authentic and quality wines.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Frida Krifca forwarded today in social media the wonderful views of the vineyards from the area of Berat, where there are cultivated the autochthonous varieties of the grapes.

Minister Krifca wrote that whole areas of land planted with the autochthonous variety “Vlosh” from the Çobo Winery in Malas Breg, Berat, bring to the focus of attention, models that show that viticulture never stops surprising.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has increased support for the viticulture and wine sector. The existing law covering viticulture and wine dating back to 1999 has now been replaced by a new law aligned with EU directives and aimed at formalizing the sector as well as better controlling it in terms of safety.

The law evaluates applications for traditional wines and also provides for the creation and updating of the cadaster of vineyards, while specifying the varieties that can be cultivated.

In our country, there are 12,100 ha of vineyards and there are produced over 26,000 hectoliters of wine, a trend that has been increasing in the last 10 years, as there has also begun the cultivation of grapes in greenhouses, which is supported by the National Scheme, as a product that ensures early production and high yield.

Meanwhile, the Agency of Agriculture and Rural Development, through the IPARD II program, has signed 25 contracts for viticulture with a grant value of 2.66 million euros and 13 investments in wineries with a support value of 2.65 million euros.

These investments consist in the expansion of vineyards, agricultural mechanics, wine production equipment and technology for further quality improvement.

The support given has significantly influenced the increase in the amount of production, but also in the production of quality products according to European standards, so that they are authentic and competitive even in the foreign market. /r.e/p.s./

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Milva Ekonomi shared today on the social media images from the vineyards in the country.

“There are almost 11 thousand ha of vineyards throughout the territory, while the annual grape production in Albania, including grape pergolas reached about 190 thousand tons,” Minister Ekonomi. //a.i/

In the framework of her visits to the local farms, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milva Ekonomi also stopped in Karbunarë e Vogël, in Lushnjë.

“I gladly accepted the invitation to visit the vineyard plantation in the village of Karbunarë e Vogël, Lushnjë. Beshiri told me that he set up his family business after a work experience in agriculture during emigration to Italy”, said the Minister of Economy.

Beshiri, who has set up a plantation with vineyards, spoke about how he took the initiative to return and invest in Albania.

“For several years I worked in Italy, in agriculture. After gaining experience, there I decided to come back to Albania and build a vineyard by myself. We work as a family with our wife and daughter. Years ago, I managed to get 25 kg per root”, he said.

He added that one of the varieties grown on this plantation is special because it is imported from the Puglia region.

The area of ​​the plantation is 13 acres and for two years, the quality and standard production of grapes has found a place in the domestic market.

The main grape production areas are located between the hills and the coast of Central Albania. Fier, Berat, Elbasan and Vlora are the areas with the highest percentage of production; these four areas account for more than half of domestic grape production.

Meanwhile, grape imports have fallen significantly from year to year. /j.p/p.s./

Along with the local varieties of grape, in Albania is grown even the famous variety Chardonnay originating from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France.

On the International Chardonnay Day, Director of the Agency for Rural Development and Agriculture Frida Krifca drew the attention to the fact that there are a lot of vineyards of Chardonnay variety that grows well even in Albania.

“It is adapted perfectly well with the land and is massively cultivated”, said Krifca.

In context of IPARD program for agriculture, ARDA has supported farmers growing vineyards and the “Made in Albania” wine production which is going more and more on international markets./r.e/p.s./