Agriculture and Rural Development- Sector review 2015

• Author: Arjana Misha
• Position: University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy
• Pages: 419-427

419

ISSN 2410-759X

Acces online at www.iipccl.org

Balkan Journal of Interdisciplinary Research

IIPCCL Publishing, Tirana-Albania Vol. 1 No. 3

January 2016

Agriculture and Rural Development- Sector review 2015

PhD (C.) Arjana Misha

University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy

Abstract

The process and development of albanian path toward the compliance with european

standards, rules and regulations is one of the main challenges the country is facing. The

agriculture sector is the main pillar supported by the instruments local and european

such as National Schemes and EU Rural Development measures. Strategies and legal

framework are prepared, support policies are in place for such developments. However,

the evaluation and monitoring of the impact of these policies is not that easy. Statistical

surveys and analysis would be the proper instruments to achieve the desired results

and reach the right conclusions for further revision of the policies. Therefore, our efforts

to review the sector will consist on the analysis of the existing data and means trying to

measure the state of play for the period under study. Since 2007 till now, the sector has

known steady increase, being the main contributor to the national growth. Is this as a

result of the annual state support to the agriculture holdings? The paper tends to review

the sector and conclude on the changes and developments for the period 2007-2014.

Keywords: review, analysis, trends, statistics, measures,rural development.

Introduction

The primary aim of agriculture and rural development in the Republic of Albania is

to contribute to a balanced development of all rural areas in Albania, to improve

the quality of life in rural areas to reduce poverty and promote integrated

development of sustainable rural development and diversification (development of

non-agricultural activities). This will be achieved through:

Cooperation between Albania and the EU focusing on priority areas related to the

European Union acquis in the field of agriculture. The cooperation aims at

modernizing and restructuring the Albanian agriculture and agro-industry sector

based on gradual approximation of legislation with the practices, rules and standards

of the Community.

Strengthening cooperation on regional and local development, with the main

objective, contributing to economic development and reducing regional disparities.

The opening of the green light toward the European perspective for Albania has

directed the executive to “design and implementation of agricultural policies to

increase agricultural production, improving marketing infrastructure, consumer

protection and sustainable management of natural resources”. To fulfill this mission,

there are designed sectoral and inter-sectoral strategies, policies and programs that

support the growth of the agricultural and livestock production, with the aim of

increasing competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets. In addition, the

development of institutional capacity, able to design and implement agricultural