Challenges in agriculture this year

TIRANA, Jan. 15 – Promoting development of vineyards, forests and olive are some of the main challenges for the agriculture development this year, according to the ministry. The government has already approved the plan for their support, according to Minister Jemin Gjana. The government will try to support this year the development of vineyards, forestry and livestock, consolidate and further increase the network of markets around the country and increase standards of the food security like fishery, oil, fruits, meat, milk, vegetables and so on. That is part of the efforts the country is doing to fulfill the standards required from the European Union where Albania aims to get integrated in the future. Approximation of legislation is another sphere of interest where authorities are to work this year. Authorities have won a $6 million project from the World Bank to take care of the avian flu, or bird flu in which Albania had two cases last year. The ministry will also invest in irrigation of some 6,000 hectares and build some 650 dams to preserve agriculture land.