Organic Farming Policies for a Sustainable Development of Rural Areas: The Albanian case

Agricultural policy has addressed organic farming making it an inherent part of the Common Agricultural Policy. Researchers have turned their attention to the role of organic farming in the rural economy and specifically, the potential for organic farming to contribute to sustainable rural development. Contrary to the situation in Europe, there is no research on organic farming policies and on the potential implications of the latest on rural development in Albania. Considering the experience in EU, it can be argued than policy measures would foster the development of organic farming. Although the Albanian government has declared the willingness to support organic farming as well as to use it as a policy instrument for the development of rural areas, it has not analysed this sector and has no precise idea on what kind of policy measures to use for supporting it. That is what this research has attempted. Most of the recommendations of this research are already incorporated in three strategic documents: "Action Plan for Organic Farming in Albania", "Agriculture and Food Strategy 2007 - 2013" and "Rural Development Strategy".