Fushe Kruja, May 5, 2010     Specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection’s agriculture technology transfer centers (TTCs), researchers from the Agriculture University of Tirana, productivity specialists from USAID’s Albanian Agriculture Competitive Project and representatives of private farmers/producers associations met today in Fushe Kruja to discuss ways of helping Albanian products and farmers to become more competitive.

USAID’s Mission Director, Mr. Joseph C Williams, spoke at the opening of the event.

Mr. Williams emphasized the role that research and extension services could play to make the sector more dynamic and competitive and called on TTCs and the University to work with USAID to identify ways to make research and extension more effective and efficient in helping farmers increase productivity and competitiveness.

“Over the last two years USAID’s agriculture project has worked to find innovative ways to improve agriculture production in response to market signal and demands,” said Williams.  “Through this program, USAID is providing an opportunity for significant change in the agriculture sector, but we cannot do it alone. Real change will come from the type of cooperation we are promoting here today—cooperation between the private sector and Albania’s public extension and research institutions.”

According to Mr. Astrit Balliu, Head of Research at the Agriculture University of Tirana, new research projects at the University will focus on apples, olives, and other high-value commodities.  “Scientific research at AUT is still far from fulfilling its important objective, i.e. supporting agricultural production with new knowledge and technological innovation.”