“With partners and friends from Slovenia, Bulgaria and Croatia in a conversation on organic agriculture, we discussed ways to promote cooperation and exchange good practices for sustainable production”, said Denaj about the meeting.

According to the minister, “Albania has a great opportunity to develop organic farming in harmony with the objective of the EU strategy, from farm to table, and the objective to reach 25% of agricultural land and organic farming by 2030”.

Denaj emphasized that in 2023 the number of certified organic corporations in Albania reached 151 entities, marking an increase of 9.4% compared to last year.

“Recently, the Albanian government passed the draft law “On organic production, labeling of organic products and their control”. The draft law stipulates clear rules for organic products produced in Albania, according to the EU standards. The implementation of this draft law will also affect the increase in exports of organic products and, consequently, economic benefits for local farmers”, she added.

According to Minister Denaj, “It is very difficult to start with organic products, but it is very sustainable in the long term because the markets are safe and the price is high.”

“Everything depends on the farmers to achieve this objective. Undoubtedly, I see a very important role of our education system. We need to teach young people wherever they are in vocational education. Initially, it can be a small curriculum, but later also as a business model to reach our objective of 25% of the land intended for this purpose”, she added. /m.m/p.s./

Krifca said that, “In Petrela, at the “Fustanella” farm we spontaneously joined together with ministers of agriculture from the region to the great community passionate of the best agriculture practice in an afternoon to have a taste of Albanian agriculture produce and the olive oil.

The farm is an undertaking of Bland Ashiku. He set up the farm under the name of “Fustanella”, the name of a Balkan dress-like garment and that is a symbol of the close relationship with the traditional cuisine that is served in the restaurant.

This is a model of agri-tourism farms that are rather favourite for the foreign tourists along with the added value they carry for the rural economy./a.a/p.s./

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Frida Krifca highlighted the example of Kol Ndoci, a 44-year-old agronomist in Gjadër, Lezha, who cultivates grapes.

“He does not only consider being engaged with the vineyard a job, but knowledge and passion motivates him to do better every day”, said Krifca.

The minister also praised Kola for being able to write beautifully and clearly, expressing simply his thoughts on development in agriculture.

“Since 1997, the vineyard has not been treated with any chemical fertilizers and has been certified as an organic farm”, the minister said, while emphasizing that he has over 5 dynym where he produces an average of about 60 quintal of grapes per year, the amount of which is sold in the canteen.

Krifca said that he really wants to start producing organic wine by himself.

“Albania has the potential to have good agriculture, vineyards and everything,” said Ndoci.

In recent years, grape production in our country has increased significantly from 79,000 tons in 2020 to 230,000 tons in 2021, where the government subsidy schemes have given a boost to cultivation and production.

In addition to the expansion of vineyards, wine production has also increased significantly. According to statistics provided from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, from 7 thousand tons in 2000, wine production has increased to over 22 thousand tons in 2020. While farmers are oriented towards organic farms with vineyards and organic wine production. /a.a/p.s./

The Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARDA) reported that there are 122 farmers eligible applicants for Measure 5 of the National Agricultural Support Scheme, 2021, who receive funding for the expansion of organic farms.

While 45 other farmers have qualified as beneficiaries of government subsidies for “Global Gap” certification.

During the first year, the organic farms receive financing in the amount of 100,000 Lekë, in the second year 150,000 Lekë and 200,000 Lekë for a certified farm.

According to the criteria approved by the government for subsidies in organic agriculture, the relevant businesses receive support for establishment or reconstruction of production facilities of traditional produce of the area.

While the Global GAP certification of agricultural produce, addresses the subsidy of farmers to the amount of 50% of the total value of the tax invoice.

According to the defined criteria, in the National Support Scheme for agriculture 2021, all farmers who apply the Global GAP certification benefit from financing, but not more than 175 000 Lekë in vegetables, fruits, grapes, olives and citrus, in planted area no less than 1 hectare.

The government supports organic agricultural farms, in addition to the certification of agricultural produce with European standards, Global GAP, as an important factor in promoting safe exports “Made in Albania” to international markets.

According to the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are about 200 organic businesses across the country represented by agricultural farms.

Albanian organic produce companies represent a range of products ranging from honey, vegetables, fruits and meat and dairy. Experts point out that in European markets organic produce is sold at a price 30% higher than other produce that use industrial chemicals.

During the first 7 months of the current year, exports of agricultural produce increased by more than 18%, compared to the same period last year.

Agricultural exports, in total, have increased from about $ 100 million at the end of 2014 to $ 400 million at the end of 2020, and are projected to reach over $ 1 billion in the next four years./p.s./