During the discussion with farmers, attended also by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister Salla emphasized that in the Dibër region the model of farmer consolidation is being implemented through joint agricultural cooperation structures (SHBB), particularly within the fruit and vegetable sector.

He announced that the project is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank, with contracts already signed with entities responsible for collecting and marketing produce through these cooperative structures.

Minister Salla also addressed the use of technology in agriculture, emphasizing that in Dibër a pilot model is being implemented with intelligent sensors that monitor agricultural areas in real time.

According to him, these sensors provide information on irrigation, spraying, fertilization, and atmospheric conditions. The objective is that by July this system will be extended across the entire territory of the country, giving farmers access to data through mobile phones or digital applications.

The Minister also presented the innovations introduced in the national agricultural support scheme, noting that its budget has been doubled and now encompasses assistance for a wide range of sectors.

He highlighted subsidies for the cultivation of olives and cherries, as well as support for various equipment related to production and processing, including nets, harvesting tools, and storage facilities.

In the beekeeping sector, Minister Salla stated that the subsidy for hives has been doubled from 10,000 lek to 20,000 lek. The support package also includes equipment such as honey‑processing centrifuges, storage tanks, and packaging materials, with the objective of ensuring food safety and enhancing the quality of production.

The Minister emphasized that support has also been expanded for livestock farming, lowering the minimum eligibility threshold from 100 to 50 heads and increasing subsidies for cattle.

He further announced support for the construction of shepherd huts of up to €30,000, equipped with security systems, solar panels, and mobile containers for product storage, thereby ensuring optimal conditions for the animals and safeguarding production quality.

Another important measure, according to Minister Salla, is the provision of grants of up to €10,000 for young people wishing to invest in agriculture, with the aim of encouraging new entrepreneurship in rural areas.

He reported that during the past year approximately 440 applications were supported across various sectors, including agricultural mechanization and agrotourism. For the current year, the total fund amounts to €52 million.

Minister Salla further underscored the importance of formalizing sales through invoicing, noting that farmers will receive financial compensation based on the cultivated area and the products marketed. This process, which commenced on January 1, will continue until December 31.

He emphasized that the further development of joint farmer structures and the modernization of production will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Albanian products and meeting the standards required by the European Union market.

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