"Investments for all damaged embankments"/ Minister of Agriculture Andis Salla meets with farmers in Maliq

2026-01-20 18:51:00, Politikë CNA

"Investments for all damaged embankments"/ Minister of Agriculture

The Minister of Agriculture, Andis Salla, held a meeting with farmers in Maliq, following farmer protests in recent days, where concerns were raised regarding flood damage, the condition of embankments, and financial support.

During the meeting, the minister explained that the issue of embankments has been discussed with the relevant board and municipalities, while contacts with local authorities have been continuous even during the flood situation.

According to him, the cracks created in the embankments were managed in record time by the responsible structures and currently do not pose a risk, but require long-term investments.

The Minister emphasized that 52 million euros have been made available through the national AZHBR scheme, while around 65 thousand farmers across the country are beneficiaries. He explained that the support has increased every year and that this year a 10% reimbursement scheme of the invoice has also been included, without additional procedures, only through the deposit of invoices with the tax authorities.

Hall Statement

We have discussed it with the board and the municipality, we have been in continuous contact with the mayor even during the damages caused during the recent floods and we will see to invest in all the embankments that have been damaged so that these cracks that have occurred throughout Albania are not repeated. There was a problem with the embankment that had a crack which was managed by the board and drainage in record time so that we could make a quick intervention to close it as a crack, we have closed it and there is no problem now but it requires an investment and we already have the project ready to have a change in this area that we had problems in November and January. With the new budget we will discuss and review it with our structures in the ministry so that all the cracks, the investments that the embankment requires are foreseen by the budget. We have started a hearing with farmers, which is for the national investment scheme of the AZHBR, so we have a fund of 52 million euros for women in support of them to give them the opportunity to have benefits from the state such as the national scheme. We are listening to them, we are asking them what their problems are, what suggestions they have for the new scheme and what we need to adapt according to the legislation that we have in force and the EU accession so that we are ready in 2027 not only for the orientation of farmers but also for their support and food security. I do not understand why it is at a higher cost and I do not know what you mean by this question about this higher cost, when we are supporting farmers, all farmers. We have made a benefit for 65 thousand farmers in the territory of Albania, which has increased year after year, because we have increased the budget every year for their support, so that they feel it. We have introduced this year, from January 1 to December 31, support in the 10% of their billing scheme. So, there is no need for different procedures or commitments, as we have had before in the meetings we have held, but with their invoices they will periodically be deposited with the tax directorates and they will receive 10% of their billing. This has been introduced as a package, as an opportunity and as support, but also towards the AZHBR, with which we support them with various measures, where they should benefit. For this reason, we are here today to listen and we will be throughout the territory of Albania, in order for farmers to give suggestions and request. We, with the municipalities as a whole and with civil emergencies with the Ministry of Agriculture, are still doing the evidence on the ground, to make all the appropriate assessment. As soon as we have the full picture of the damages and all the information that we will receive from the municipalities for the respective areas, we will act immediately with a government decision to support the farmers. No, no, absolutely not. I think you heard the Prime Minister,that we have drafted a financial package to support all the damages caused by the recent floods.