Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla, signed on Tuesday the cooperation agreement within the framework of the ‘Toka’ project, with the municipalities of Devoll, Erseka, Maliq, Pogradec and Korca, as well as with the University of Korca, paving the way for the implementation of a new cooperation model for the development of agriculture and rural areas.

The ‘Toka’ project is funded by the Albanian-American Development Fund (AADF), in partnership with the Dutch Research University Wageningen. It will be piloted in the Korca Region based on the Dutch Diamond Model.

During the signing ceremony, Minister Salla emphasized that this project represents a new approach to agricultural development. “The ‘Toka’ project creates a cooperation model that connects institutions, scientific knowledge, innovation, and farmers, to build a modern and competitive agriculture,” he said.

According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the project aims to design a development path for eco-agriculture, build the Knowledge and Information System in Agriculture, strengthen food security, and increase capacities in education and scientific research. “This cooperation is a concrete step towards a sustainable agricultural sector in line with European Union standards,” emphasized Salla.

Also present during the event were the Speaker of the Parliament and, at the same time, the political leader of the Korca region, Niko Peleshi, the mayors Sotiraq Filo, Eduard Duro, Gezim Topciu, Erion Isai, Ilir Xhakolli, the rector of the University of Korca, as well as representatives from the AADF.

Furthermore, Minister Salla said that the National Scheme 2026 will be designed to guarantee that every farmer with a tax registration number NIPT, as well as farmers organized in groups, have the widest and fairest access to direct support.

This was announced by Minister Salla, who held a hearing with farmers in the Pogradec municipality, as part of the process of co-drafting the 2026 National Scheme, to build it on the real needs of the field.

Salla emphasized that the focus is "increasing the standards of Made in Albania production, in accordance with European Union standards, so that Albanian consumers have European quality at the table and farmers are also supported as in the EU, and domestic products expand the export map, making Albanian agriculture more competitive in regional and European markets.”

The 2026 Scheme will have an initial budget of Lek 5.2 billion, or 16% higher compared to the previous year. The round of hearings with farmers will continue in other regions of the country, aiming to directly involve agricultural communities in the drafting of the 2026 National Scheme.