The news was shared by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Frida Krifca, in the Assembly, where she presented the sectoral agreement for the management and implementation provisions of EU financial assistance for Albania, in the framework of the rural development program of the instrument for pre-accession assistance, which paves the way for the implementation of the new IPARD III Program.

“IPARD III, designed by the EU for pre-accession countries until 2027, makes available to the agriculture sector in Albania a European fund of 112 million euros. Together with the financing of the Albanian Government of 34 million euros, we will bring this program to a support fund for agriculture worth 146 million euros in the 5 years to come,” the minister said.

Krifca pointed out that, if we also assess the contribution of farmers and agro-processors who contribute from 30 to 50% of the financing for their investments, the total financing injected as a whole by this Program is expected to reach over 300 million euros, in development of agriculture and rural areas.

According to her, IPARD 3 will expand the range of beneficiaries by increasing financing opportunities for rural communities in other sectors with 5 new measures, in agriculture, livestock, agro-processing, farm diversification, forests, organic production, LEADER approach, rural infrastructure, advisory services.

“IPARD III will also include new sectors for the first time, such as olive, medicinal plants and fish processing,” said Krifca.

She emphasized that, “Albania ranks among the first countries for the absorption of funds from the EU, which is also reflected in the figures provided by IPARD III that indicate 56% more than the previous program.”
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