From chestnut forests to rural prosperity: A young family is helping transform Tropoja

07/07/2026

As the morning mist lifts from the chestnut forests above Velisht, a small mountain village near Bajram Curri in northern Albania, the first guests begin gathering on the terrace of the Chestnut Hill (Kodra e Gështenjave) agritourism lodge. Below them, rolling hills fade into the Albanian Alps, while centuries-old chestnut trees sway gently in the mountain breeze, shaping both the landscape and the livelihoods of the communities that call this region home.

For many visitors, arriving here feels like discovering a hidden corner of Europe. For Ermal Nikoçi and his family, however, the view represents something more: proof that even a remote rural community can create opportunities, attract visitors, and build a thriving business without leaving its traditions behind.

What began as an effort to restore an old family house has evolved into one of the best-known agritourism destinations in the Tropoja region. Today, Chestnut Hill welcomes travellers from around the world, serves dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients, produces chestnut honey, and works closely with farming families across the area.

Its success story is also becoming part of a broader transformation taking place in Albania’s chestnut sector.
Supported through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative and the Digital Village Initiative (DVI), Chestnut Hill has become an example of how sustainable agriculture, rural tourism and local entrepreneurship can work together to strengthen livelihoods while creating new value from traditional products.

Building opportunities in the mountains

Like many rural areas across the region, Tropoja has faced decades of outward migration as young people have sought opportunities elsewhere. Yet Ermal Nikoçi saw potential where others saw challenges.

Together with his family, he transformed the property into an agritourism destination that combines hospitality, gastronomy and local agricultural products with the natural beauty of the Albanian Alps.

“We wanted to show that young people can create a future in rural areas by building on what makes these places unique,” says Nikoçi. “Our goal was not only to create a business, but also to promote our traditions. Chestnuts—a cornerstone of Tropoja’s identity—take centre stage in our dishes, from chestnut soups to desserts infused with honey.”
Chestnut Hill currently collaborates with around ten local farming families, sourcing fresh and authentic products that feature prominently on its menu. The enterprise also collects and markets approximately two tonnes of chestnut honey annually, helping generate additional value from local resources.

Strengthening a value chain rooted in tradition

Chestnuts have long been part of Tropoja’s identity. The region is home to Albania’s largest chestnut massif, covering more than 2 200 hectares. Albania selected chestnuts as its flagship product under FAO’s OCOP initiative, which promotes sustainable value chains built around agricultural products with unique economic, cultural and environmental value.

Despite the sector’s potential, chestnut producers face several challenges, including pests and diseases, fragmented production systems and limited infrastructure for storage and marketing.

To help address these constraints, FAO, with financial support from the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Tirana and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other partners, has supported a range of interventions to strengthen the chestnut value chain and create new opportunities for rural communities.

Following a detailed assessment, Chestnut Hill was selected to receive support to improve cold storage capacity. In May 2024, a new cold storage facility was inaugurated at the agritourism enterprise, providing improved conditions for preserving agricultural products and reducing losses.

The investment benefits not only the business itself but also the network of local farmers who supply fresh produce and chestnut-based products.

“For a business located in a remote mountain area, storage capacity is essential,” says Nikoçi. “The new facility allows us to preserve product quality, better manage seasonal production and strengthen cooperation with local producers. It helps us provide a better experience for our guests while creating new opportunities for farming families in the area.”
The support provided to Chestnut Hill forms part of a broader effort to revitalise Albania’s chestnut sector. Through the DVI initiative, improved access along the Chestnut Route, which connects the Chestnut Massif with several destinations, including Chestnut Hill, will enhance visitor experiences, strengthen links between local producers and tourism services, and generate economic opportunities for surrounding communities. 

Under the initiative, demonstration plots have been established to showcase improved silvicultural practices and pest management techniques. Biological control measures have also been introduced to combat the invasive Asian chestnut gall wasp, helping protect chestnut forests and strengthen long-term productivity.

A catalyst for rural development

According to Agim Pepkolaj, FAO Programme Support Specialist and OCOP Coordinator, examples such as Chestnut Hill demonstrate how targeted investments can create benefits that extend well beyond a single enterprise.

“Chestnut Hill shows the potential of connecting surrounding communities, local food systems and rural agritourism,” says Pepkolaj. “Through the OCOP initiative, we are helping strengthen the entire chestnut value chain while supporting young entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, generating farmers’ incomes, ensuring the supply of local products for visitors and contributing to the vitality of rural communities.”

Together, these activities are helping improve resilience, promote innovation and support sustainable growth across the chestnut value chain.

“When guests arrive here, they experience much more than a place to stay,” he says. “They discover our culture, our food, our landscapes and the people behind the products. Every visitor who leaves with a connection to Tropoja helps create value for the entire community.”

Through the OCOP initiative, FAO and its partners are helping ensure that Albania’s chestnuts remain not only a treasured part of the country’s heritage, but also a source of opportunity for generations to come.