A scheme for joining the plots of fragmented olive groves, providing support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with knowledge of production planning, conducting soil analyzes for fertilization, financial support with funds that will be absorbed from applications for the establishment of collection and processing points should be the new organization for this culture, according to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dhimo Kote.

He told Monitor that the new way of organization will be able to ensure finding markets for the export of certified olive oil.

The creation of the brand for the areas where olive is cultivated, according to Kote will be made possible if farmers agree to combine production and processing in large agriculture points set up in certain regions.

The Ministry of Agriculture has started the phase of consultations with farmers for the promotion of this scheme. The first to apply to the union scheme will be the farmers of Roskovec. In cooperation with the local government, the pilot project will also be extended to three other municipalities.

“Until now, some municipalities and farmers of these areas are ready to cooperate with collection points for the production of olive oil, which will then be marketed in foreign markets, with the help of the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Kote.

“Local action groups, which include farmers and municipalities, such as: Kuçova, Roskovec, Vlorë and Patos, will apply in March to benefit from funds from IPARD for the establishment of olive storage, collection and processing points, he said.

“The contribution of farmers is zero. Funds for setting up collection points will be obtained through applications from government and EU guarantors. Next year, it is expected to complete the merging of plots for the above four municipalities, which will serve as a pilot model to continue the cooperation in other municipalities as well,” Kote said.

“Last year, for the first time, the olive crop was also included in the tax-free oil benefit scheme. From this measure, 3,000 to 4,000 farmers were supported with oil for 7,000 hectares of olive groves,” the deputy minister noted.

“In total, there are about 100,000 farmers who cultivate olives, but who do not have a first crop, they are also engaged in other cultivations. Many of them have olives for self-consumption. For the first time, this year, the olive culture is also included in the funding support of the IPARD scheme.”

Currently, olive oil is exported to the USA, China or even Arab countries. The amount of olive oil exports last year was 150 to 200 tons of oil, according to Kote.

“This year, exports are expected to reach up to 500 tons. Many foreign companies are already interested in exporting olive oil. Italian companies have shown interest, with which the ministry is negotiating through the Italian embassy,” Kote noted.