Ilirian Prengu is another beneficiary under the support scheme launched by the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA) through the IPARD II Programme. His investment consists in construction of a warehouse for collection and storage of locally grown vegetables and fruits in the area of Maliq, Korça district.
Around 35 farmers involved in potato growing in the area send their products to this collection centre, which was visited by the Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milva Ekonomi.
“The value of investment in construction of the vegetable and fruits storage and collection warehouse is estimated at around 23 million lek, with 65% of the amount provided under the IPARD Programme. The new collection centre helps around 35 local farmers involved in potato cultivation in a land area of 1700 hectares. The potato cultivation here is basically focused on the domestic market and for domestic sale, and we also collect onions, shallots destined for sale in the regional markets,” Agriculture Minister Ekonomi said.
Farmers across Albania, not only in Maliq are, are now entitled to benefit tax-free oil under the government’s support scheme for farmers and the country’s agricultural development policies. Ilirian noted that he is currently applying for tax-free oil supply under the support scheme.
“We have discussed also other facilities in terms of the documents that are submitted through a self-declaration form and everyone would be held individually responsible if they lie, so that we will no longer need to carry out inspecting actions on the ground. Each applicant is granted support under the scheme, which will consolidate gradually as it is being launched for first time. Once the support is granted, effective inspections are carried out to exclude any potential abuser,” the Premier said.
A total of 27.000 throughout the country have gained support under the government’s support schemes for agriculture, including fund through programs designed to support development agriculture and small subsidies for farmers.
