TIRANA, January 30 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said farmers must make better use of existing financing tools. He stressed that the government has already placed the Sovereign Guarantee at their disposal. The total support can reach up to 1 billion euros.

Rama spoke during a meeting with farmers in Divjaka on the National Scheme 2026. At the start, he pointed to a structural problem. Farmers still focus mainly on the state budget.

However, Rama explained that the state budget now represents only one part of agricultural financing. He described it as the simplest component. Parliament approves it directly.

By contrast, other funding sources require preparation. They also demand technical capacity. For this reason, Rama said farmers and institutions must strengthen their ability to absorb funds.

Next, he addressed the broader financing environment. Rama said money does not represent the real obstacle. Instead, he identified lack of information and weak project preparation as the main barriers. He added that the same issue affects access to European Union funds.

Turning to specific figures, Rama said agriculture currently has access to 250 million euros under the Sovereign Guarantee. He added that the amount can rise to 1 billion euros if demand increases. The mechanism operates through the Bank of Albania and second-tier banks.

Moreover, Rama underlined that the guarantee allows farmers to access loans with lower interest rates. The state backs a large share of the credit. Despite this advantage, he said farmers have used the instrument very little.

Against this backdrop, Rama called on local authorities to act more actively. He urged municipalities to work directly with farmers. Their goal should be to unlock available financing.

Finally, Rama highlighted the need for cooperation. He said farmers should form joint structures to access larger funds. He reiterated that the state must stay close to rural areas. Agriculture, he stressed, needs consistent support to function properly.

/a.p./