Rehabilitation of the irrigation scheme in Mursi and Janjari lake areas, reconstruction of the dams and a 60-km of a canal network irrigation have provided steady supply of irrigation water to around 4000 hectares of arable land in Konispol, in a state budget-funded project as part of the Albanian government’s irrigation and drainage programme.

Konispol Mayor Shuaip Beqiri noted that the investment is considered a major investment for Konispol as it ultimately addresses an important problem. “It is a 60-km canal network starting at Janjar lake stretching all the way to Konispol. The project improves irrigation of over 4000 hectares of land, 1200 hectares of which lacked irrigation to date,” Konispol Mayor said.

Metering devices have been installed at the lake’s dams to constantly monitor the dams and prevent any potential flood risk, while a second phase of the project is set to start soon, entailing installation of pipes and fittings to send irrigation water to every cultivated land plot.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dhimo Kote noted that farmers will also benefit tax-free oil based on the land area they cultivate. “The decision to cut VAT rate on seeds and plants, the VAT rate on agricultural inputs, providing excise-free oil, reduction of the oil price for farmers will help agriculture to further develop in the coming years. Next year, the Albanian government will provide excise-free oil to farmers based on the area of land they cultivate,” Kote said.

Prime Minister Rama put emphasis also on the need to maximize farmers’ work by joining forces and access the market together. “Do you remember the tents along the highways across Albania? There are no such tents now and instead there are 183 collection and storage points, mostly refrigerated. Products are sent to the storage points and it is there where they are then sold,” the Premier said.

The government head was also welcomed by local farmers at one of the guesthouses in Konispol. PM Rama described it as a paradise of the nature and development. “Whoever wishes to find out what is going on with agriculture in Albania it would suffice for them to come down here and take a deep breath at the sight of this area that has been transformed thanks to the extraordinary work of the people here, but also thanks to the government support. The work speaks for itself, transformation speaks for itself and figures speak for themselves,” the Premier said.

Konispol is renowned for its citrus groves with more than 500,000 plants, producing more than 40,000 metric tonnes each year.