TIRANA, November 12 – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla presented the 2026 draft budget before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development. He called it the largest in the sector’s history.

The new budget totals 16.3 billion lek, up 11.3% from 2025. That is an increase of about 11 million euros. “It is nearly three times higher than in 2012,” Salla said. He highlighted major increases in domestic investments, rural development, national support schemes, and food safety programs.

The plan focuses on four pillars: sustainable farming, rural growth, fisheries and blue economy, and food safety with digital innovation.

Salla said the ministry will expand irrigation and drainage projects to protect farms from floods and reduce losses.

The Rural Development Program will receive 7.7 billion Lekë, or nearly half of the ministry’s budget. It targets the 2025–2029 priorities and supports alignment with the EU Common Agricultural Policy by 2030.

The National Support Scheme provides 5.2 billion Lekë for farms, agrotourism, and food processing. The funding marks a 16% increase from 2025. More than 800 investment applications are in progress, aiming to bring 2 billion Lekë in new modernization projects.

A new measure refunds 10% VAT on agricultural inputs linked to invoiced sales. “Ten percent of each invoice will return to the farmer as compensation,” Salla said. He noted that this incentive lowers production costs, strengthens traceability, and improves food safety.

The measure will inject about 1.5 billion Lekë into the sector each year. “We are building a new model based on one rule: invoice and benefit,” Salla said. He added that these reforms prepare Albanian agriculture for EU membership.

/a.p./