Analysis

Albanian women take lead role in agriculture

Albanian women are stepping into the agriculture sector. In the village of Qelëz in the Puke region, the female community have built 10 greenhouses and the first local incubator under the European Union support.

“A fantastic model of the unification of women,” is how the Albanian Agriculture Minister Niko Peleshi defined the initiative. According to him this remains the best way to increase production, guarantee sales and maximise incomes from agriculture.

Through the IPARD program (Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development), the EU has already showed its interest in several agriculture projects, especially those focusing on women. In May the region of Dibra organised the first training session dedicated to Entrepreneurial Women of Agribusiness, with the active participation of twenty women.

“Apple jam, jufka, cherry compote, and other products of the Dibra region represent the tradition and the legacy of these women,” said Agritra-Vision, an NGO and co-organiser of the event. “Their products represent a significant part of agribusiness in this area. It’s all about dedication, cleanliness, taste and nature: all together packed in just one simple jar or in one of Dibra’s jufka dishes.”

During the meeting, Mr Peleshi assured farmers that he would personally engage in cooperating with partners to further support the cultivation of traditional crops.