Local Economic Development Albania - CNVP

Results achieved till September 2023 from the cooperation are as following: Drying Technologies.: As a result of this intervention, three innovative drying technologies have been introduced to the MAPs sector in Albania all are run on clean renewable energy (both solar and biomass) and are resulting faster drying times, reductions in losses, improvements in MAPs quality, and growth in incomes for both businesses and households involved in the collection and processing of MAPs. Mechanization: Continued facilitation of linkages between local MAPs exporters and international manufacturers of machinery and technology such as Dari eco Meccanica from Italy and German firms KULT and PYREG. Market research on the possible introduction of technologies for large scale production of biochar from MAPs residues/waste from the processing of MAPs has been undertaken. Inputs: MAPs nurseries in the project regions have increased their production capacities and are investing in infrastructure to further improve the production techniques. Nurseries and MAP exporters and local collection businesses have enhanced communication and more coordination among has been established, further improvement is needed though better cooperation between farmers companies. Contract farming: Partner collection businesses have increased the number farmers/households they contract to grow MAPs. Through LED support 7 companies in the target municipalities have entered into Contract farming Agreements with 530 farmers and this number keeps increasing. This has increased the trust between both the farmers and the byers. Joint meetings facilitated between buyers and farmers have enhanced the communication. Standards and Certification: Improvements in market access for certified organic MAPs, sales have increased fourfold in the last 6 months, and for first time have been able to export certified organic MAPs. 104 farmers involved in the collection of organic MAPs in Devoll have received premium price (almost 50% higher than prices for conventional MAPs), increased volumes sold (by 60 %) the sold quantity and reducing postharvest losses (as a result of selling fresh MAPs to Riza Shaholli which was dried in the modern dryer introduced through intervention 1). At least 5 other businesses are looking for the replication of the models that CNVP created through certification process. Municipality level, policy and regulations: Collaboration at the national level with National Forest Agency is continuing. A detailed plan of activities is designed till the end of this year. To date five regional meetings organized. The aim of these meetings is discussion in municipality level on sustainable harvesting of wild MAPs and possibilities for cultivation in land owned by the municipalities. Discussions form participants brought in the attention gaps appeared and possibilities for sustainable management of wild MAPs.

The overall objective of the project is to increase the incomes of households in rural Albania by promoting improvements in the efficiency and inclusiveness of the Medical Aromatic Plants (MAPs) and other Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) market system.  The specific objective is to promote sustainable and resilient business and inclusive access to benefits for MAPs and other NTFP products in rural Albania.  This will be achieved by designing and implementing a set of interventions aiming to address the problems and contraits faced by MAPs producers. The project will use the Market System Development (MSD) approach.  The expected outcomes of the project are:  Outcome 1: Improved MAPs (and other NTFPs) productivity. Outcome 2: MAPs (and other NTFPs) private sector market actors have sustainable pro poor business models. Outcome 3: Enabling environment policies and regulations promote fair and sustainable practices.