GFA SUPPORTS STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FISHERIES IN ALBANIA
Agriculture plays a significant role in Albania, contributing to 18.6% of the country‘s GDP while employing 36% of the total employment population. However, the sector is characterized by a low level of mechanisation and modernisation, lacking in skills and weak entrepreneurial orientation of the farmers, as well as underexploited potential within the fishery and forestry sectors.
During October 2020, GFA’s ARD department launched a new GIZ assignment to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania, aiming to elaborate the national Strategy for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries over the forthcoming years from 2021-2027. The Strategy shall also include an action plan, budget planning, a monitoring concept with gap analysis regarding the revision and update to the legislation. Albania is on the current agenda for future EU enlargement and has been made an official candidate for accession ever since 2014. Therefore, the future Strategy needs to fall in line with the objectives of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.
The first month of the project’s implementation was highlighted by the high-level kick-off meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Tourism and Environment along with the GIZ team. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, current and further meetings are limited to digital mode.
