Introduction 

The Short Term mobility Programme, financed by Italian National Research Council (CNR), was carried out in Albania in May 2009, with the overall aim to establish and implement a scientific collaboration between the Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology (IBAF, Porano, TR - Italy) and the Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT).

During the stay, several meetings were organised and formal and informal interviews were carried out with many stakeholders (policy makers; Albanian Government representatives, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection; the Ministry of the Environment, the Forest and Water Administration; researchers and scientists with a wide range of competences in the agricultural and forestry sciences; actors responsible for administrating local communities, called Komuna; small wood industries) in order to assess the major needs and constraints and to evaluate the potentialities of the agricultural sector in Albania. The study’s principal focus was on forestry and agroforestry systems. Available bibliographic materials (scientific articles, conference proceedings, statistical data) were collected and two field trips were made in sample rural and forestry areas (in the north-west, close to Shkodra, and in the east, close to Librazhd).

The objectives of this paper are:

1. description of forestry and agroforestry systems in Albania, focusing on the potentialities of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and renewable energy sectors;
2. highlight of the impact of the political and institutional changes affecting the agricultural sector since the end of communist period;
3. identification of research topics and priorities that could be implemented through appropriate programmes and development strategies.

  Agroforestry systems and non-timber forest products economy in Albania 

According to official statistics ([14]), Albania covers a territory of almost 2.9 million ha, with a total population of about 3.6 million inhabitants and a density of 125 inhabitants km^-2. Agricultural lands cover about 24% of the total area, forests and pasture more than half of the whole territory (Tab. 1).

Since 1990 many significant changes (in primis market reform and institutional changes) have affected the Albanian economy and social structure. Before its transition to a market economy, in the early ’90s, Albanian industry contributed over 50% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Industrial production decreased sharply after the end of the state-controlled economy and in 2006 it only amounted to about 11% to the national GDP ([8]).

Since the beginning of the new century, Albania has been considered an institutionally stable State, thanks to the reform process that aligned the country to a Western Economy; in fact since the beginning of 2000, the private sector has controlled about 80% of the country’s economy.

Although Albania continues to witness a significant reduction in poverty (12.4% of the population was considered poor in 2008 compared with 18.5% in 2005 and 25.4% in 2002), it remains one of the poorest countries in Europe ([20]). Agriculture contributes to about 20% of GDP and about 60% of the labour force is employed in the agricultural sector ([3]). Italy is Albania’s main trading partner: about 26% of imports come from Italy and about 68% of country’s exports go to Italy ([6]).

Rural areas and forests are rich in natural resources, thereby creating a diverse landscape; moreover, the presence of a strong culture and traditions guarantees the conservation of significant biodiversity “hotspots” ([16]). The Mediterranean climate is extremely favourable for rich agrarian biodiversity, even if wide tracks of arable lands are subjected to excessive human pressure. The warm climate, together with the traditional knowledge and competency in agricultural practises on the part of rural communities, allow the cultivation a wide variety of crops and of fruit trees. Traditional Mediterranean agroforestry systems are widespread in the rural landscape where it is common to find multi-productive systems comprising trees, crops (both cereals and fodders grown for animals) and animals (sheep, goats and cows) on small plots close to the farmhouse. Olive trees, and fruit trees together with vineyards are the most common woody components of these agroforestry systems. The extensive traditional knowledge of rural communities should be valued because land and natural resource management based on the knowledge of indigenous people, allows for a mosaic of landscape, in which several biological components are integrated to provide a wide range of products ([9]).

Following the events and circumstances occurred since the early ’90s, environmental degradation is now remarkable, and Albania is considered to have the highest rate of loss of biodiversity in Europe ([19]). Soil erosion (due to deforestation, poor land management practice and overgrazing of livestock) has occurred on about 20% of the territory, with extreme peaks of above 150 tons/ha year in some parts of the country ([16]). Several reasons contribute to environmental degradation and the high level of poverty affecting the population is probably one of the most important. As poor people are particularly dependant on natural resources and ecosystem services for their livelihoods ([2]), poverty has a negative impact on the environment. Its effects contribute to unsustainable land use practices and behaviours such as deforestation, overgrazing, illegal hunting, and a lack of awareness and poor perception of environmental protection.

At the same time, population growth and urbanisation process had caused a great migration of people from rural areas to rapidly growing urban centres, especially in the central part of the country. During the ’90s, for example, the population of Tirana increased at an annual rate of 7%; and during the last decade, this process has intensified due to mass migration from north and south of the country ([15]). Despite the extent of migration both towards urban centres and abroad, almost half of the population still lives in rural areas and depends on agricultural products for its livelihood.

Although the rural sector is not efficient in its practices (due to lack of rural infrastructure, low incomes, poor credit, low investment and small farm size) the agricultural sector is regardless playing the most important role in the development of Albanian economy ([10]). Most of the rural income (57% of the total agricultural product values) derives from livestock activity with sheep and goat grazing being the most important. Arable crops and fruits represent 29% and 14% respectively of farmers’ incomes ([14]). Tree planting for fruit production (walnut, cherry, maple being the most common species) is expanding in several areas of the country (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 - Tree plantation with fruit trees close to Shkodra. Tree planting for fruit production is traditional in Albania; new plantations are expanding, walnut and cherry being the most interesting species (photo: A. Pisanelli).

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The forestry industry is based on small- scale production and most of the products are exported, with only a limited amount (about 20%) sold domestically. However, local demand is growing due to ever increasing requests for housing and furniture.

Albania, like other Balkan countries, has a great tradition in Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) that have always been an important economic resource, above all in rural and mountain areas. However, harvesting and marketing of goods are poorly organised nowadays. Before 1990 Albania was one of the main producers of NTFPs in Europe, especially medicinal and aromatic plants. While under state control, the entire chain of organisation was “excellently run” (Ina Pagria, personal communication), presently several small private enterprises have replaced the state-controlled trade and the harvest is an important source of revenue in rural areas where the poverty is prevalent. According to Kullaj ([12]) for many rural communities living in Albania the collection of medicinal and aromatic plants constitutes a greater source of income than from any other agricultural products or from livestock management. Almost all medicinal and aromatic plants are collected wild (90% of the plants are exported, with the USA, Germany, Italy and France being the main markets). Usually people harvest and dry the plants; then transport them to the wholesalers. Some of the problems that Albania are facing now under the new system are: premature harvesting before the plants are totally matured, excessive harvesting, improper harvesting techniques that damage the plants, poor storage techniques and low prices ([11], [17]).

The most frequently collected medicinal and aromatic species in 2001 are listed in Tab. 2. In the same year, Albania sold about 10 000 tonnes of raw material of dried medicinal and aromatic plants in the international market. The harvesters usually belong to under privileged social groups (children, women and older people) living in poor rural areas ([11]) and it is the task of the Forest Inspectorate of the Forest Service Directorate to control and monitor the harvest. It is estimated that in Albania about 76 000 people are employed in the gathering and processing of NTFPs ([12]), accounting for 13% of total employment in agricultural sector. Although over 90% of medicinal and aromatic plants are collected in the wild, trade companies are requesting to intensify domestication and cultivation (Fig. 2). Nevertheless, a comprehensive approach to the cultivation of medicinal plants in farmlands has yet to be developed ([11]).

Fig. 2 - Field with Salvia spp. close to Shkodra. Medicinal and aromatic plants represent one of the main NTFPs in Albania and the expansion of domestic cultivation is encouraged (photo: A. Pisanelli).

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  Forestry resources and the potential of the Albanian forest sector in the production of renewable energy 

Albania is one of the few European countries where forests have declined in recent decades: according to MCPFE ([13]) the country recorded the highest reduction of forest area and growing stock during the period 2000-2005; Earth trends ([5]) estimated a 7% reduction of forest area during the period 1990-2000.

The National Forestry Inventory ([1]) estimated that forest area per capita is about 0.4 ha. According to the Inventory, 41% of forests are managed as coppice, 30% as high forests and 29% as shrubs (Tab. 3). Timber production is considered the most important function in 78% of the forests, while protection and grazing are the main functions in 48% and 40% of the total forest area, respectively.

High forests have a major role in the supply of timber; coppice forests provide a major source of fuelwood. Most of the coppice forests are in poor condition, mainly due to illegal logging; thus the adoption of appropriate management plans is urgently required for guaranteeing sustainability in the long term. Shrub areas are the most favourable environments for livestock and harvesting of NFTPs.

Beech and oaks are the most important broad-leaved species; black pine and firs are the most important species among the conifers. Forest resources in Albania have been overexploited since the ’50s and, nowadays, large tracks of forests are in a juvenile state. The massive use of oak together with deforestation for agricultural purposes has caused a huge reduction of biodiversity and severe soil erosion ([4]) and, the resulting shortage leaves beech as one of the few raw materials that can be presently utilised by the sawmill industries.

In terms of volume availability, most of the timber (80%) is concentrated in high forests and only about 20% in coppice forests. Within the high forest typologies, the available timber volume is concentrated in 3 main species: beech having the largest percentage of volume, followed by black pine and firs (Tab. 4). In coppice forests most of the volume is concentrated in oak populations (45%). Presently forests are under the control of Komuna, who are responsible for the management and monitoring of forest resources. From the interviews carried out there emerged a lack of expertise and competence at the local level regarding sustainable forestry management skills. Given this, it would be advisable to implement training courses and capacity building in order to improve the skills and know-how of personnel of local administrations.

Agrotec Consortium ([1]) recommended starting afforestation programs, through international cooperation, with the aim of increasing timber supply, mitigate climate changes and improve socio-economic conditions of rural communities.

The production of biomass for energy should be one of the main aims of new plantations. During the last 15 years, Albania entered the free market economy, and it has come a growing need for energy. Albania has two main sources of energy: the first is hydroelectric power from rivers and the second is oil/gas. Hydroelectric power accounts for a significant proportion of Albania’s domestic energy production, estimated as 95.3%. Nevertheless the production is not sufficient to fulfil energy requirements and, consequently, it is necessary to import energy in order to satisfy the remaining demand. During the last decades the Albania’s energy production has not changed, while demand has increased considerably: in 2004, for example, Albania met only 55% of its energy demands ([7]).

Therefore, the country is faced with the challenge of expanding its energy production from both existing and alternative sources. In this context, the forest sector in Albania could play a significant role in providing renewable energy in order to fulfil its domestic demands. At present, wood is still the primary and main heating source in rural and mountain communities (Tab. 5), where population is characterised by a low income level. Most of the local people get firewood directly from the forests that grow around the villages for free (Tab. 6).

According to INSTAT ([7]), the sustainable annual wood harvesting possibility is about 1152000 m³. Considering the number of families living in rural and mountain areas (400000) with an annual average wood requirement of 5 m³, it is estimated that fuelwood consumption in rural and mountain soars to about 2000000 m³. The gap between the harvesting possibility and fuelwood consumption is clearly the result of illegal cutting.

Artificial tree plantations with species of short cultural cycle (short rotation forestry) such as poplar, willow, black locust, and eucalypts would contribute to reduce the gap between demand and supply.

  Conclusions 

In Albania agriculture and forestry seem to be the most relevant sectors through which poverty and migration could be reduced as they represent the main sources of income in the wide rural and mountain communities of the country. Albania is a country with great potentialities thanks to its rich biodiversity and value landscape. Because of this, tourism is increasing and, if valuable product chains were organised, local agroforestry products would stimulate employment in rural communities and contribute to reduce poverty.

According to the study carried out during the short mobility stay, several research priorities and development strategies would need to be urgently implemented.

1. implementation of afforestation programmes in degraded lands utilising the most suitable forest tree species with the aim of reducing soil degradation and improving the landscape;
2. adoption of forest management plans in mountain areas in order to increase the availability and the diversity of raw materials for timber industries, the fuelwood production and reduce the illegal logging;
3. development and organisation of NTFPs’ chains, especially for medicinal and aromatic plants, promoting domestication and cultivation of the most important essences. This would reduce the human impact in the wild, increase product quality and improve the livelihood of people in areas of low economic income;
4. expansion of tree planting in existing abandoned lands with the aim of producing fruit, timber (i.e., using double purpose species like walnut and cherry) and biomass (i.e. short rotation forestry model);
5. support capacity building at the local level in sustainable development through the training of local communities and local administrators in environment protection skills;
6. education programs for local populations which promote awareness and respect of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources;
7. coordination and collaboration among stakeholders involved in the management and utilisation of natural resources.

Finally, effective actions should be taken for the adoption of the REDD process (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). This REDD process is a set of steps designed to use market/financial incentives to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases from deforestation and forest degradation. The process would bring with it other benefits such as biodiversity conservation and alleviation of poverty ([18]).

  Acknowledgements 

The research was supported by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Short Mobility Programme, 2009.

  References