RURALBANIA -
SUPPORT AND
PROMOTION
OF TRADITIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTION
PROJECT BACKGROUND
RURALBANIA originates from the conclusions and recommendations that came out of the Final Evaluation of the ” Alliance for the Development and Promotion of Family Farming in Northern Albania” project
The project has generated good practices at the level of ovine and caprine supply chain development, management of agricultural financing schemes and promotion of typical agri-food production that can be capitalized and extended to other traditional agricultural supply chains with high potential (like honey, fruit) and to neighboring mountainous areas (Kukës, Dibra).
Context
Albania’s territory is predominantly mountainous, and more than 40 percent of its area is used for agriculture, one of the country’s most important economic sectors and a source of income for the majority of the population. Agricultural production has increased significantly in the last decade. However, low productivity remains an obstacle to sustainable growth, as Albania still imports significant amounts of agri-food products. Of the approximately 350,000 farms present, 86% are represented by small producers with less than 2 hectares available. The macro-economic indicators available show the remote areas of the North as the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
Small producers are forced to operate very often in informality, making it difficult for them to access subsidies, national and European schemes to support the sector.
Nationally, only 6.5 % are women-owned, but this figure is estimated to be considerably lower in the target areas, where the influence of patriarchal culture is stronger than in the rest of the country.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- small farms: 875
- young people (aged 18-35 years): 921
- adult people (aged 36-64 years): 2.103 (of which 49.7% women)
- agricultural assistance staff: 38
- local authority officials: 27
PROJECT BACKGROUND
RURALBANIA originates from the conclusions and recommendations that came out of the Final Evaluation of the ” Alliance for the Development and Promotion of Family Farming in Northern Albania” project
The project has generated good practices at the level of ovine and caprine supply chain development, management of agricultural financing schemes and promotion of typical agri-food production that can be capitalized and extended to other traditional agricultural supply chains with high potential (like honey, fruit) and to neighboring mountainous areas (Kukës, Dibra).
Context
Albania’s territory is predominantly mountainous, and more than 40 percent of its area is used for agriculture, one of the country’s most important economic sectors and a source of income for the majority of the population. Agricultural production has increased significantly in the last decade. However, low productivity remains an obstacle to sustainable growth, as Albania still imports significant amounts of agri-food products. Of the approximately 350,000 farms present, 86% are represented by small producers with less than 2 hectares available. The macro-economic indicators available show the remote areas of the North as the most disadvantaged areas of the country.
Small producers are forced to operate very often in informality, making it difficult for them to access subsidies, national and European schemes to support the sector.
Nationally, only 6.5 % are women-owned, but this figure is estimated to be considerably lower in the target areas, where the influence of patriarchal culture is stronger than in the rest of the country.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- small farms: 875
- young people (aged 18-35 years): 921
- adult people (aged 36-64 years): 2.103 (of which 49.7% women)
- agricultural assistance staff: 38
- local authority officials: 27
GOAL
RURALBANIA aims to increase the income of small agricultural producers in Northern Albania through access to new agricultural support services in line with European best practices, opportunities for qualified professional training, sustainable production resources and local markets.
Specifically, the project aims to increase the productivity and added value achieved by family-owned mountain farms, particularly those run by women, younger, and returning migrants, operating in high-potential supply chains (beekeeping, small mountain fruits, orchards, ovine and caprine) of Shkodra, Dibra and Kukës Regions.
GOAL
RURALBANIA aims to increase the income of small agricultural producers in Northern Albania through access to new agricultural support services in line with European best practices, opportunities for qualified professional training, sustainable production resources and local markets.
Specifically, the project aims to increase the productivity and added value achieved by family-owned mountain farms, particularly those run by women, younger, and returning migrants, operating in high-potential supply chains (beekeeping, small mountain fruits, orchards, ovine and caprine) of Shkodra, Dibra and Kukës Regions.
ACTIVITIES
- Strengthen agricultural and rural assistance services available to small producers in the mountainous areas of Shkodra, Dibra and Kukës Regions.
Training course on good European practices in agricultural assistance centers (CAA) for Albanian trade associations and institutions.
Launch of 3 pilot Agricultural and Rural Assistance Centers (CAAR).
National institutional advocacy campaign on the importance of agricultural assistance centers and the public-private partnership for the development of disadvantaged rural areas. - Increase access to qualified professional training in agriculture by small farms operating in traditional supply chains.
Professional development and technical assistance course for trainers of agricultural support services.
Training and consulting courses for small farms.
Update course and counseling for agritourism farms in response to the crisis from Covid-19.
Release of 10 scholarships for talented young farmers. - Increase access to sustainable assets for production and sale by small producers.
Redevelopment/fitting of storage, processing and trading assets for agricultural products (Puka Farmers’ Market, 7 mini-cheese factories in Has and Tropoja, cherry’s storage, refrigeration and trading in Dibra).
Establishment of an “Endowment Fund for Sustainable Development” to finance 55 small businesses.
Training course and technical assistance on geographical quality marks and production guidelines for trade associations and institutions.
National marketing campaign for agricultural production from supply chains and target areas.
DONOR
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