Rural Development Programme under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance of the Republic of Albania 2021-2027.

The Rural Development Programme under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPARD III programme) addresses the identified needs and is in full compliance with the Strategy on Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries 2021-2027 (SARDF 2021-2017). The general objectives of the IPARD III programme are: (I) reinforcing a sustainable and competitive agri-food sector; (II) strengthening environmental protection and climate actions; and (III) strengthening the socio-economic fabric of rural areas. The timeframe of the programme is 7 years between 2021 and 2027. The identified main needs are described, as follows: (i) to increase investments in physical assets in agricultural holdings; (ii) to improve access and quality of advisory services to farmers; (iii) to improve irrigation and drainage infrastructure; (iv) to improve competitiveness of agri-processing industry; (v) to upgrade physical capital in agri-processing and food industry to comply with EU standards; (vi) to enhance cooperation among the main actors in the agri-food chain; (vii) to improve management of natural resources, resource use efficiency and climate change resilience; (viii) to diversify activities and sources of income for farmers; (ix) to develop non-agricultural sectors of rural economy; (x) to improve rural infrastructure, access and quality of basic services in rural areas; (xi) to improve local governance and develop capacity for the implementation of LEADER approach.
The overall performance of agricultural holdings will be improved in the production of primary agricultural products, in order to be consistent with EU Standards as regards environmental protection and animal welfare, for the milk, meat, fruit, vegetables, olive trees, medical and aromatic plants (MAPs) and vineyards sectors. Investments will be promoted to ensure resource efficiency and support the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors. The physical assets of selected priority food processing sectors will be modernized in order to improve competitiveness and to gradually align with Union standards in the fields of environmental protection, food safety and public health, animal welfare, renewable energy, circular economy and occupational safety. Measures will be taken to reduce the post-harvest loses and improve storage techniques and capacities in fruits and vegetables, olives, MAPs and grapes; strengthen the supply chain and integration between processors and agriculture producers; strengthen food safety, quality systems and traceability; and to improve treatment and handling of waste and use of by-products.
Awareness will be raised amongst different stakeholders and groups of stakeholders from public authorities to local farmers on how the agricultural practices and sustainable use of resources can contribute to nature conservation and protection of the environment. The agri-environment management will be strengthened to conserve soil quality by introducing organic farming practices; conserve genetic resources, local breeds and support organic production of medical and aromatic plants; and to reduce biodiversity loss.
The LEADER approach will be implemented to improve community development, enhance the social capital and to contribute to economic, social, cultural and environmental improvements of local areas, by engaging a wide range of multi-sectoral private and public partners and valorising community resources at the local level. The private-public partnerships will be created to improve social capital and local governance. The participation of young people and women will be encouraged. Actions will be undertaken to facilitate business and community development, growth and employment in rural areas. Rural activities will be diversified and developed, through support for investments in farm diversification and development of non-agricultural activities, such as rural tourism. Rural infrastructure will be developed to improve the living conditions of residents in rural areas.
Forest conservation and management will be strengthened to improve the access to forest for performing supported activities related to afforestation, economic use of forests, and protecting forests against fire and diseases etc. To provide environmental services, forest cover or area of other wooded land, whether on agricultural, degraded or other land, will be expanded.