Sustainable chestnut production boosts rural development

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with Albania’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, have recently launched in Albania the FAO One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) programme aimed at transforming agrifood systems. Through establishing sustainable chestnut value chains, the project in Albania will, foster economic growth, and enable community empowerment in the pilot region of northern Tropoja. 

The project foresees the implementation of measures for the biological control of pests, and recognizes the importance of well-planned and long-term interventions in selected areas. FAO’s One Country, One Priority Product initiative focuses mainly in mountainous areas of Albania’s northern Tropoja district which has over 2 000 hectares of chestnut forest massif. Approximately 70 percent of its inhabitants live in mountainous areas, where the massif is concentrated. 

The “Sustainable chestnut value chain development” project will run from 2023 through 2025. 

During the inception workshop, held on 21 November, Almira Xhembulla, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment, commended FAO for its initiative and stressed the importance of investing in the chestnut collection chain, cold storage, and processing industry. 

“In Albania, the One Country One Priority Product project aims at revitalizing the chestnut value chain, including chestnut production, processing, and marketing, with a strategic emphasis on expanding cultivated areas and positioning chestnut products in the regional market," Almira Xhembulla said.

Lorena Pullumbi, Assistant FAO Representative in Albania, extended FAO’s gratitude to all partners for their commitment, emphasizing FAO's role in maximizing the potential of chestnut value chains for sustainable rural development and acknowledging the challenges posed by climate change. She said that "as a longstanding partner of Albania's agriculture and food sector, FAO is dedicated to promoting the unique qualities tied to the geographical location of the chestnut value chain. Also, this initiative aims to bolster sustainable farming practices and preserve the cultural heritage of the Tropoja district."  

The Deputy Mayor of Tropoja municipality guaranteed the local authorities' commitment and highlighted the importance of the conclusions drawn from the meeting in solving problems and driving ongoing processes. 

Efforts are already underway to increase domestic consumption of chestnuts. Local chestnut festivals and cultural activities have been organized to promote local chestnut products. On 23 October, the "Chestnut Day" festival was held in Bajram Curri, Tropoja, with support from FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Tropoja municipality. In addition, as part of the OCOP project, several field visits took place from 26 to 29 September, presenting the project to local government forest engineers and assessing the Asian Chestnut Gall Wasp, supported by FAO and Tropoja municipality. And, from 21 to 24 November, local government and key actors, met to discuss the anticipated results that will come from the OCOP project.

FAO project manager, Agim Pepkolai, is optimistic that the project will deliver many benefits. Chestnuts have a vital ecological role, with key hydrological, climatic, and protective functions, that underscores their importance for both to ensure healthy ecosystems and develop rural communities. Moreover, the economic and medical aspects of chestnuts, including the production of fruits, wood, flour, and honey contribute considerably to strengthening the country's rural economy.”