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Agriculture in crisis and suspended funds/ Government seeks rescue from banks for failure with EU grants

2026-05-15 12:59:00, Politikë CNA

The Agriculture Sector, once considered the engine of the rural economy, is today facing one of the most critical periods, becoming a key node in the process of Albania's integration into the European Union.

While farmers have taken to the streets in ongoing protests over the lack of support, the removal of subsidies, and rising oil costs, the government appears to be attempting to transfer the responsibility of financing to the banking sector.

During the signing of the agreement for the "Double Your Entrepreneurship" program, Prime Minister Edi Rama asked private banks to be more "courageous" in lending to agriculture, a sector that remains neglected by fiscal policies and hit by the suspension of EU funds following suspicions of corruption.

At this event, it was the words of the Prime Minister and Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, that demonstrated the effort to find alternative sources of financing for a sector that is languishing.

In the same vein as Rama, Governor Gent Sejko has asked the banking industry to turn its attention to small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those in rural areas, seeing this as a necessity for the country's sustainability.

The opposition has sharply criticized the government, claiming that mismanagement and abuses have led to the loss of millions of euros from European Union programs. According to former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, this amounts to a loss of 134 million euros that were intended for farmers, but have evaporated through corrupt schemes, leaving the village without financial protection.

Beyond the calls for banking "courage", the reality on the ground remains grim. Without a clear strategy of direct support and with the shadow of the theft of EU funds, Albanian agriculture risks remaining the most vulnerable sector and a serious obstacle to the country's European journey./ CNA