TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – Albania’s draft 2027 budget provides increased support for farmers, domestic production, investment and food safety, as the country seeks to modernise its agricultural sector and bring it closer to European Union standards, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said on Wednesday.
The ministry has been allocated around 18 billion leks for 2027, a 10% increase compared with its initial 2026 budget, Salla said.
Rural development remains the main priority, with 8.4 billion leks earmarked for the sector, including 5.3 billion leks for the national agricultural support scheme, up 100 million leks from its initial 2026 allocation.
The funding will provide direct support to farmers and encourage investment in farms, technology and compliance with EU standards, Salla said.
A further 4.3 billion leks has been allocated for irrigation, drainage and flood protection, a 19.3% increase from 2026. Investments will continue in the rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage canals, the modernisation of pumping stations and the protection of agricultural land against flooding.
Food safety is another priority, with around 3 billion leks allocated, 3% more than in 2026, to strengthen inspections, laboratory capacity and product traceability.
The fisheries and aquaculture sector will receive 727 million leks, a 25% increase, to support modernisation, boost production and promote exports.
The draft budget also earmarks 872 million leks for agricultural advisory and information services, including the development of 16 improved technology packages to bring innovation and expertise closer to farmers.
The government also plans to continue digitising agricultural land information and strengthen institutional capacity to implement policies and meet EU accession requirements, Salla said.
The 2027 budget represents an investment in the European future of Albanian agriculture, he added, citing increased domestic production, more competitive farms and higher food safety standards, particularly under EU accession negotiating chapters 11, 12 and 13.
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