Berisha: Exit from the Open Balkans harms farmers

The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has presented the Democratic Party's program for the development of agriculture and support for Albanian farmers.

In a statement to the media from the blue headquarters, he stressed that agriculture in Albania has experienced a major decline over the last 12 years, with a dramatic decline in agricultural and livestock production, as well as a drastic reduction in the number of livestock heads.

Berisha considers the “Open Balkans” a process that is severely damaging Albanian agriculture and promises an immediate exit from this mechanism, calling it the main cause of farm bankruptcy in Albania. He added that this “our program for a Great Albania in agriculture is based on Made in Albania, the great increase in agricultural and livestock production, strong support for farmers and their success”.

"To achieve this goal, the coalition government of the DP and the Alliance for Greater Albania will: "Subsidize for each production unit, head of livestock and seedlings purchased by farmers and increase for this purpose the direct subsidy fund for farmers from 0.5 percent of budget expenditures, or 31 million, which is de facto, to 3.5 percent, which is the average level of the region. Seasonal protection of agricultural products," said Berisha.

"VAT in the agricultural processing sector will be the same in sales and purchases, so the money will go directly to the farmer and not to the wholesaler. Oil will be subsidized up to the cost level. Special support without limitation for farmers in priority areas of agriculture, determined by the government, export areas, livestock, fruit and agro-processing. Subsidization of interest rates up to 80 percent for bank loans in the agricultural sector. This intervention is urgent to increase the injection of money into this sector," said Berisha.

"The development of agricultural infrastructure will be supported by essential investments, especially in irrigation and drainage, where an amount of about 70 million dollars will be invested every year with the aim of doubling the irrigation area in four years. The creation of a market research agency to study the internal and external market and make a macro orientation for Albanian farmers on what and how much to plant. This will greatly alleviate the crises created by stocks," said Berisha.

He said that there will be "support with grants and soft loans to farmers and agro-processing for the introduction of new technologies in the production and processing of agricultural products, automation, digitalization, purchase of tractors and other equipment. Financial compensation with a floor price for production stock caused by strong market disturbances and incentives for the establishment of the agri-food industry to absorb this stock and avoid the destruction of these products. This is an effective way to avoid the bankruptcy of farmers and the abandonment of rural areas."

Berisha also promised that the state would conduct free analyses of agricultural land and its irrigation wells.

"Guarantee and monitor the quality of agricultural inputs through accredited laboratories. Increase food safety through strengthening responsible institutions, introducing surveillance systems according to EU standards, fundamentally reviewing the legal framework for market abusers who harm consumer health. Increase state laboratory capacities with the aim of eliminating abusive practices of conducting analyses by private laboratories."

"Establishing infrastructure for carrying out official controls at border inspection points, as the current lack of quarantine and refrigeration facilities directly compromises the safety of imported food products," said Berisha.

In conclusion, Berisha said that this program aims to enable the sustainable development of agriculture and ensure the success of Albanian farmers. He criticized the government for spending little of the budget on this sector and promised that a government led by the Democratic Party would direct more resources to support Albanian agriculture and farmers. /Telegrafi/