Agriculture accounts for the largest share of employment (with about 50% of the workforce) but receives only 4% of total funding (loans provided to agriculture by banks and microfinance institutions).

The level of investments in agriculture is low, for two main reasons: a) poor access to finance and b) lack of infrastructure (especially fragmentation of agricultural land and the problem of ownership titles).

The Resource Environmental Center Albania, in cooperation with the Albanian Association of Banks and the European Fund for Southeast Europe presented the latest brochure “Financial Decision Making: A Practical Guide for the Farmer”.

Spiro Brumbulli, Director of the Albanian Association of Banks addressed the representatives of the banking system, financial institutions and agribusiness companies, emphasizing the need to educate and inform the Albanian farmer.

Mihallaq Qirjo, Director of the Resource Environmental Center Albania emphasized that knowledge on energy efficiency and the best technologies should be part of informing the farmer during the loan process, along with other financial information. Such products must be constantly evolving to reflect market trends and address the needs of the Albanian farmer, “said Mr. Qirjo.

This contribution of the Resource Environmental Center Albania is supported by EFSE.