Minister of Agriculture, Jemin Gjana: Farmers should switch to fuel oil

TIRANA, May 3, 2008. Minister of Agriculture, Jemin Gjana, has
noted that the Albanian government has abolished excise taxes on fuel
oil to help farmers who use artificial heating for their greenhouses. Specialists
consider the process to be highly profitable for Albanian farmers.
For the moment, the price of fuel oil is ALL 50 per liter, while the
price of diesel is ALL 150 per liter. Further, there is a steady supply of
fuel oil because it is produced in huge quantities by the Albanian stateowned
oil refineries. The replacement of diesel with fuel oil requires the
adaptation of oil burners used in greenhouses. Gjana also announced
that the Albanian government is going to subsidize 100 percent of the
cost of adaptation. “The government, besides abolishing the excise tax
on fuel oil, has assumed its obligation to pay from the state budget the
entire cost of adaptation of oil burners. It is calculated to cost Euro 12,000
per hectare greenhouse”, Gjana said.
For the moment, the project is being tested in Durr촩 County where
there are nine greenhouse complexes. The owners of six of these greenhouses
have applied to receive subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The government is planning to extend the program to other areas,
also, and has allocated $10 million to cover the costs of adapting oil
heaters to use fuel oil. The measure, however, may be described as too
little too late. Too little because greenhouses in Durr촩 county cover
only 15 hectare, compared to about 50 hectares used to cultivate vegetables.
Too late because most of the seeding process is over for this year.
Additionally, environmentalists protested against the project. They argue
that fuel oil produces more greenhouse gases and other dangerous
substances than diesel exhaust emits. (Tirana Times Staff)