Intersectoral Strategy for the Rural and Agricultural Development 2014-2020.

This Intersectoral Strategy for the Rural and Agricultural Development 2014-2020 is a national strategy prepared in the framework of ‘Europe 2020’ strategy. Its goals are the attainment of fast, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and Albania’s accession in the European Union (EU). The policy is prepared in accordance with the EU Common Agriculture Policy 2014-2020 (CAP) while also focusing on the country specific needs for the development of agriculture, agro-processing, and rural zones in Albania. The policy is considered an integral part of the National Development and Integration Strategy. Its main objective is the preparation of policies similar to CAP that would establish a strategic framework for resolving the challenges faced by the agricultural and agro-processing sectors as well as the sustainable economic and social development of rural zones.
The policy aims to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. To this end, the rural operators in the sectors of agriculture and agro-processing will be supported financially to restructure and modernize their production, increase competitiveness, and guarantee a sustainable use of natural resources while creating alternative sources of income. Further, assistance will also be given to increase the cooperation between users’ and producers’ groups involved in the management of land and other natural resources, as well as to strengthen their organizational capacities. Extension services and trainings will be offered to the producers groups to help them with common marketing of their products, products adaptation to the EU standards, preparation of common rules regarding market information, etc.
To make agriculture, forestry and fishery more productive efforts will be focused on securing investments in the physical assets of the farms to increase their production capacities and to help farmers adopt the EU standards regarding food safety, environmental protection, and animal welfare. These efforts will also help with a better response to climate change by promoting the efficient use of energy and renewable energy resources. The financial assistance will also be used to cover construction and improvement of immovable property, purchase of new equipment and machinery including software. Two main initiatives will be funded in this regard: Support for the use of agriculture production methods that protect environment; Establishment of a pilot agro-environmental scheme focused on a limited number of pilot zones with continuous specific environmental problems. Forestry is another area of concern. To this end, efforts will be focused on afforestation, ecosystems improvement, erosion prevention, and forest protection measures.
To reduce rural poverty efforts will be focused on the diversification of farm activities and business development. These initiatives will generate employment opportunities through new business activities expected also to reverse the common trend of rural immigration. Throughout all the policy activities special attention will be focused on the inclusion of the rural population and civil society organization in the social dialogue regarding the sustainable use of natural resources. The policy also incorporates the principles of equal opportunities, gender-sensitive design, and non-discrimination.
Regarding governance, a special monitoring committee will be established. The indicators to be used for the monitoring and evaluation of strategy are included in the annexes of the policy document.