The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Anila Denaj, hosted on Tuesday in a meeting the Ambassador of Israel, Gali Peleg, and the Director of the Agricultural Training Center in MASHAV, Giora Tesler.

During this meeting, they discussed the deepening of cooperation in the agricultural sector, with a focus on technical support and knowledge transfer.

Minister Denaj emphasized the importance of the modernization of the agricultural sector and the development of agribusiness as an area with high economic potential.

She also highlighted the opportunities offered by the Albanian climate for perennial cultivation. “In this spirit, we agreed on the importance of a structured cooperation focused on concrete results, to build a competitive agricultural sector, which will promote sustainable rural development,” declared Minister Denaj.

This meeting is an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting sustainable development in the agricultural sector in Albania.

In Albania, the agricultural sector has long played a pivotal role in driving employment and economic growth. Currently, the sector constitutes nearly 20% of GDP – almost three times higher than the regional average for Western Balkan countries – and is a key source of employment, providing jobs for over 40% of the population. At 11.3%, agricultural and food products also represent a sizable share of total exports.

Despite a steady increase in agricultural output over the past several decades, the country continues to trail behind its neighbors. The seemingly obvious obstacles preventing progress include land fragmentation, underinvestment in rural infrastructure and services, uncertain land property rights, limited access to finance, and a dearth of market-relevant knowledge and skills.