Agricultural university of tirana faculty of economy and agribussines department of Agricultural Economy and Policies

AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY OF TIRANA

FACULTY OF ECONOMY AND AGRIBUSSINES
Department of Agricultural Economy and Policies

And

Department of Agribusiness Management

PROJECT-ROPOSAL

In the framework of AHEED Mini-Grant Program:
Comparison of alternative solutions for efficient use of refused land in a pilot area of Albania

Working group :

Prof.Dr. Galantina Canco - Department of Agribusiness Management

Tel: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]
Dr. Xhevaire Dulja - Department of Agricultural Economy and Policies (Principal investigator)

Tel: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]

Prof. Dr. Henrieta Stojku – Department of Agricultural Economy and Policies

Tel: [phone]

Dr. Ledia Boshnjaku- Department of Agribusiness Management

Tel: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]

Dean of Economy and Agribusiness Faculty

Prof. Dr. Bahri MUSABELLIU
Head of Agricultural Economy and Policies Department

Prof. Dr. Kristaq PATA

Head of Agribusiness Management Department

Prof. Dr. Donika KËRCINI

Tirana, 31-st August 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

1.Problem statement 1

2.Objectives and Research Hypotheses 3

3.Literature review 3

4.Methodological aspects 5

4.1.Method of analyses 5

4.2.Data Collection and Administration 6

5.Expected results 7

6.Summarizing table on objectives, activities, outputs and outcomes 8

7.Timeline of activities 9

8.Budget of the project 10

9.Pitfalls 11

10.References 12

11.Annexes 13

Annex 1- Albanian MAP Export-Imports 13

ANNEX 2- Short bio of the research group members 14

1. Problem statement

The project-proposal titled “Comparison of alternative solutions for efficient use of refused land in a pilot area of Albania” is written by lecturers and researchers of two Economic Departments of Economy and Agribusiness Faculty.

The present project fits with AHEED Mini-Grant priority area “Production and Management Efficiency of Strategic Commodities”

During the work for designing the project consultation was accomplished with different key Albanian stakeholders that deal with the problems analyzed and discussed in the proposal. These institutions were:

• 
  Department of Agricultural Extension and Information of Albanian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection;
  
• 
  Department of Nature Protection of Albanian Ministry of Environment;
  
• 
  Albanian Essence Producers and Cultivators Association (EPCA);
  
• 
  Help and Employment Women Association (Rural Women).
  

Land, in Albania, is a scarce resource mainly because of it’s relieve. Albania is mainly a mountainous and hilly country with the average altitude of 704 m above the sea level. The 2 million 875 thousand ha of the Albanian territory is divided in 696 thousand ha of agricultural land (24 % of the total), 2 million and 179 thousand ha forest and pastures (76 % of the total). Most of the agricultural land is private property passed mostly to the habitants of rural areas during the land reform in 1991(Ministria e Bujqësisë, Ushqimit dhe Mbrojtjes së Konsumatorit, 2009).

The actual official data shows that most of agricultural land belongs to 353 486 farms which are very small farms with an average surface of 1.14 ha and fragmented in 4.1 parcels per farm. According to the same data, actually are 402 287 families living in these farms with an average of 1.1 families per farm (Ministria e Bujqësisë, Ushqimit dhe Mbrojtjes së Konsumatorit, 2009).

About 72% (1 004 254 out of 1 626 019 inhabitants) of rural population in Albania is between 15 – 65 years old and belongs to the total labor force (Ministria e Bujqësisë, Ushqimit dhe Mbrojtjes së Konsumatorit, 2009).

Labor force is a juridical and economical notion based on recommendation of International Labor Organization (ILO) and includes the population in the age of work that is limited down by the low of compulsory study and up by law of social insurance. From this are excluded students, incapables and persons under law (prisoners) (Canco 2010).

According to the official data, the agricultural land is about 0.6 ha for each labor force and about 0.4 ha for each individual farm inhabitant. Considering this fact, rural population has very little land at his disposal to perform their economic activity and regenerate incomes. People in rural areas, are facing economical and unemployment problems. This problem is more evident for women especially in the hilly and mountain areas because of the mentality and less possibilities which are born by the distance from urban areas and certain isolation.

Generally speaking, there are not official statistics about unemployment in the rural areas with the justification that the rural population has agricultural land to provide economical revenues and such inoccupation does not exist. However, experts think that a hidden undeclared inoccupation exists in the rural areas. This inoccupation has in its base mainly the small farm size regarding the total population and labor force in rural areas.

Above all mentioned, actually in Albania there exist about 110.000 ha of refused land located mainly in hilly and mountainous areas of the country. Refused land is considered a part of the agricultural land not taken under ownership by farmers, ex-member of the agricultural cooperatives during the land reform of 1991 for different reasons such as poor fertility, big distance from farm holdings, etc. and the agricultural land belonging to the state enterprises not divided during the same reform. .

Refused land is divided into three main categories:

• 
  About 30 thousand ha out of 110 thousand are more fertile and are relatively big parcels of about 10 ha planned by the Albanian government to be used in the framework of the program “Albania One Euro” and put at the disposal of foreign investors;
  
• 
  About 27 thousand and five hundred hectares belong to ex-state agricultural enterprises and are planned for before socialistic system old-land owners ;
  
• 
  The difference of about 53 thousand ha of the refused land is not used or planed yet (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and consumer Protection, 2010).
  

The present project-proposal will be focused at the third category of the refused agricultural land which is the less fertile and most eroded one. Finding a viable economic solution for the refused agricultural land will contribute to the improvement of farm families’ profits and the quality of life in the rural areas.

The main purpose of this proposal is to indicate how refused land can be used more efficiently in order farmers to increase their profits and to better orient government intervention in this direction.

Goal is to produce one recommendation to a rural pilot area on how to put in efficiency refused land of their area in order to increase rural employment and to have higher income than their optional activities.

According to our knowledge and the information provided from specialists of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection and the Albanian Essence Producers and Cultivators’ Association (EPCA), the refused land can be used efficiently if planted with native Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) that are grown naturally in the hilly and mountain areas object of the study and are highly demanded by the domestic and the international market (ANNEX 1.). Taking into consideration the good experience of Albania MAP industry and the good access of MAP exporting companies in the international market, cultivation of MAPs could be a good opportunity for the farmers to increase their profits and improve their life.

2. Objectives and Research Hypotheses

Objective 1	To create a list of the refused land in the selected area in Tirana district and select the pilot area.
Objective 2	To identify a list of MAP species opportune to be planted with economical efficiency in the refused land of the selected area.
Objective 3	To identify problems, possibilities, capacities and preferences from farmers point of view regarding cultivation of the refused land in the selected area.
Objective 4	To provide a cost-profit analyses for the selected MAP species and to compare different alternatives.

The methodology of this project-proposal is based on three hypotheses which are listed in a logical consequence:

Hypothesis 1	There is a huge quantity of refused land from the Albanian farmers which are not suitable for intensive and industrial cultivation which can be suitable and profitable if cultivated with less exigent species such as Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP).
Hypothesis 2	Cultivation of some wild species which are rescued or are in the red book will help the biodiversity conservation in a long-term period.
Hypothesis 3	There are available in the area human resources not employed especially women that have necessity to be employed in this business.
Hypothesis 4	The international market demands this category of MAP species.

3. Literature review

MAPs are very important natural resources for human health and food. They are very important income generation resource for poor countries and rural economies that have population living in marginal hilly and mountainous areas. It is well known that many of MAP species, demanded in a considerable quantity, are grown in the mountainous and hilly zones, far from inhabited localities and very difficult to be harvested. According to extensionists of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection, to private extensionists of international programs in Albania and to our opinion, the growing demand for MAPs, their adaptability to be grown under rustic conditions along with unemployment and lack of many income generating alternatives in hilly and mountain areas suggest to see the possibility of cultivation. This is important especially in rural areas where land is a scarce resource and the cultivation of the high exigent plants is difficult or not possible. Putting in efficiency refused land represents one of the ways to contrast the poverty, depopulation of the mountain and hilly areas that are favoring the emigration of young people toward the cities and especially unemployment of the women.

According to World Health Organisation there are 50,000 - 70,000 MAPs that are used in the traditional and modern medicine (Schippmann, et al. 2006). About 80% of the population in developing countries relies on traditional medicine, mostly in the form of plant drugs for their health care needs. Additionally, modern medicines contain plant derivatives to the extent of about 25%. (Food and Agriculture Organization 2002). The number of MAP species sold at the international level is about 3000 (Lange e Schippmann, 1997), while only 100 of them are regularly cultivated in an agricultural system (EUROPAM 2006).

Albania has a very with rich flora with more than 3,200 species that make up about 29% of European and 47% of Balkan flora. About 350 Albanian wild species are collected and sold as MAPs in the international market and only very few of them are cultivated in extremely limited surfaces (Ministry of Environment 2010). Albania is considered a privileged country because of the good quantity and quality (content) of raw material available mostly of wild and natural origin and because of many years of the experience, efforts, tradition and the infrastructure established with EU and US buyers in the international market (Albanian Essence Producers’ and Cultivators’ Association, 2010).

According to the data 2008, the most important trend at international level and inside the EU market is a growing demand for herbs and medicinal plants to be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food industry (especially for the substances of the natural origin). (CBI market survey: The EU market for herbal infusions, 2008; CBI market survey: The spices and herbs market in the EU, 2008; CBI market survey: Natural ingredients for pharmaceuticals, 2008: Natural ingredients for pharmaceuticals, 2008).

There was a decrease of demand for MAPs during the crises of these two last years, but however, nowadays in 2010 it is noticed an invigoration of the world market (Essence Producers’ and Cultivators’ Association 2010).

The opportunities of MAPs in general in Albania, based on:

• 
  the special geographic position and climatic conditions which brings to high and distinguished quality;
  
• 
  high biodiversity;
  
• 
  the modest supporting policies of Albanian government toward exports;
  
• 
  the trend of Albanian processing and exporting companies to improve quality and meet the international standards (MAP Albanian industry more advanced than the industry of other countries in the region) and
  
• 
  a relatively long experience
  

create a privileged position and good access of Albania in the international market.

Considering the access of Albanian MAPs in the international market about twenty years ago, this access has been higher than 30 million dollars or around 20-22 million Euro (Essence Producers’ and Cultivators’ Association 2010).

The most important Albanian MAP species which occupy an important space in the international market are: Salvia officinalis ( 60 % of the American market), Satureja montana, Origanum vulgaris (wild and cultivated), Thymus vulgaris, Thymus capitata (cultivated), Pyri malus, Juniperus communis, Juniperus oxycedrus, Myrtus communis, Laurus nobilis, Helichrysium arenarium, Matricaria chamomilla (wild and cultivated), Sambucus nigra, Malva sylvestris, Achillea millefolium, Rosa canina, Lavandula officinalis (cultivated), Vaccinum myrtillus, Scilla maritima, Urtica dioica, Rasmarinum officinalis (wild and cultivated), Trifolium pratense, Sideritis roaseri , Hyperificum perforatum , Mentha piperita (cultivated), Gentiana lutea , Coreandrum sativa (cultivated) etc (Essence Producers’ and Cultivators’ Association 2010).

4. Methodological aspects

Object of this study will be Tirana district that has six communes. Detailed data on the total surface of the refused land in each of the communes will be obtained directly by the respective offices. The reason for selecting this district is the proximity of farmers with the most important processing and exporting MAP companies.

1. Method of analyses

In order to reach the research objectives different sources of information will be used. Collected data will be qualitative and quantitative coming from primary and secondary sources.

They will be elaborated, compared and generalized according to their nature as follows:

• 
  Statistical elaboration with statistical programs (SPSS) of information collected from the questionnaires;
  
• 
  Cost-profit analyses of the MAP species opportune to be cultivated in the area;
  
• 
  Comparison of cost-profit profile of different MAP species object of the research;
  
• 
  Deduction of the conclusion from the data collected and elaborated through cause-consequence analyses.
  

The cost-profit analyses consider two groups of data: average annual costs and incomes generated by present economical activities in the farms of selected area. Data ensured from interviews on the activities performed in a year, their costs and incomes will be put on tables and the difference between costs (will include all material and operational expenses together with labor force costs) and revenues will be calculated for each labor force in a year as well as per period of operations.

The same thing will be done for at least two MAP species: an annual or biennial species and a perennial one.

Costs include:

• 
  First installation (1. mechanized activities; 2. work force and 3. materials- 1. plowing, leveling, etc; 2. Planting; etc. 3. seeds or seedlings, manure etc);
  
• 
  Maintenance (agricultural techniques and systematization)¹;
  
• 
  Harvesting, transport and first processing (drying and initial packaging)¹;
  
• 
  Hidden expenses of administrative procedures to take the land in use from refused land;
  
• 
  Interests or payment done to local government (commune) for the utilization of refused land.
  

Profits include all the revenues come from different sells during the utilization of refused land cultivated. As well as for the costs, they will include revenues generated per unit of land cultivated in a year and per labor force.

Outputs of the project will be based on the conclusions deducted from the comparison between costs and profits of different MAP species, from their difficulty to be cultivated, from ratio between profits of other activities in the farm compared to MAP cultivation and the availability of farmer family members to work with them.

2. Data Collection and Administration

Data collection

Secondary data. Secondary data will be obtained from different publications of national and international organizations (public and private ones). They will be official statistics, official book and journal publications, scientific magazines and internet:

• 
  accessible literature on the species of MAPs that can be cultivated in the area and their regionalization;
  
• 
  official statistics on the quantity and structure of refused land in the selected pilot area
  
• 
  f literature of other countries region regarding the market and MAP cultivation
  
• 
  study of the international market at European and world level for PAMs in general and detailed according to the species
  

Primary data. Primary data will be obtained through questionnaires and direct interviews. they are planed as following:

• 
  Interviews with local government and administrators to define the structure of the refused land in the selected area
  
• 
  Interviews with local population different ages and both genders to of pilot rural area for the activities and the incomes they realize in their farms during a year, local prices of agricultural techniques, MAP prices etc.; Questionnaires with local population to draw their point of views on putting in efficiency refused land, to test the level of their knowledge regarding the technology of cultivation for the selected species and preferences and the availability to use of the refused land;
  
• 
  Interviews with vice-Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection as interest-group
  
• 
  Interviews with extensionists of Albanian advisory service to draw their ideas on the plants to be cultivated in the area;
  
• 
  Interviews with MAP collecting centers and exporters to draw their data and opinions on market interesting plants to be cultivated, and prices they are ready to pay for selected species
  
• 
  Interviews with MAP experts (freelance or organization) regarding species and their cost-profit data
  
• 
  Preparation of a cost-profit table for the plant species included in the research
  

As it is indicated above, the semi-structured interviews will have different objectives depending on the group they represent. Revenue analyses will be based on the average values of cost and incomes considering plant production per hectare and average prices.

About 150 questionnaires (the exact number will be determined ones we have exact data on family farms in the pilot area) are to be conducted with head of the farm huseholdin the study area. The information expected to be collected from such questionnaires will be as following:

1. 
   Some demographic issues relevant to the study such as labor forces available within farmers family, their present occupation, etc.
   
2. 
   Capacities, knowledge and experiences of farm family members in the cultivation of MAPs.
   
3. 
   Willingness to be engaged into the activities with intention of efficient use of refused land in the proximities of villages they live as well as their perception on profits and obstacles (administrative, personal, etc.) with regard their engagement in such activities.
   
4. 
   Information with regard to the activities performed, plants structure, quantities and sales. Such information is necessary to deduct total revenues of farmers’ family in order to accomplish the principal objective of the study (to provide a cost-profit analyses for the selected MAP species and to compare different alternatives
   

Data administration

Data obtained from different resources such publication and official data, interviews and questionnaires will be organized in data-bases.

They will be organized as following:

• 
  Database for the situation of the refused land in the selected area (commune or communes);
  
• 
  Database on the cultivated species, their regionalization, production, market etc based on questionnaires and interviews;
  

5. Expected results

• 
  Creation of a clear idea on the effective uses of refused land in the selected area (one or more communes);
  

• 
  Another possibility and better perspective for the employment of the human resources especially in the hilly and mountain areas;
  

• 
  Creation of clearer idea for a possible contribution of MAP cultivation for improvement of economic and social status for women in the hilly-mountainous areas;
  

• 
  Cultivation with MAPs of refused low-fertility land in hilly and mountainous areas is cost effective and a good income generation resource for the selected pilot area.
  

6. Summarizing table on objectives, activities, outputs and outcomes

No.	Objectives	Activities	Output	Outcomes
1.	- To create a list of the refused land in the selected area in Tirana district and select the pilot area;	- Identification of pilot area in the district of Tirana - Creation of a list and structure of refused land in the pilot area	- Map of refused land in the selected area and their main characteristics.	- The situation of refused land in the pilot area
2.	- To identify a list of MAP species opportune to be planted with economical efficiency in the refused land of the selected area;	- Literature review - Creation of a list of possible MAPs to be studied in the refused land of the pilot area	- A written document based on a preliminary research which indicates the most effective way of exploiting refused land in the selected area. - List of plants which can be planted in that land	- To learn about the quantity, quality (main characteristics) and opportune plants to be planted on the refused land in the selected area
3.	- To identify problems, possibilities, capacities and preferences from farmers point of view regarding cultivation of the refused land in the selected area	-Designing of the questionnaires and printing -Preparation of the semi-structured interviews -Training of the students -Filed work for the questionnaires -Interviewing and monitoring	- Interviews and questionnaires filled in	- A general view on problems, preferences and capacities of pilot area population
4	- To provide a cost-profit analyses for the selected MAP species and to compare different alternatives	- Cost-profit analyses and final report writing	- Final report including cost-profit analyses and comparison between they of MAP species object of the research	Recommendations for e better and efficiency use of the refused land in the pilot area

7. Timeline of activities

Nr.	Activity		Nr. of working days	Time	Persons involved
1	Identification of pilot area in the district of Tirana (collection of demographic data, statistics and opinions from central and local government of six communes )		11 working days	1-16 Oct. 2010	Working group
2	Creation of a list and structure of refused land in the pilot area		5 working days	19-26 Oct. 2010	Working group
3	Study of literature regarding MAP species to be cultivated (wild species in the area, possible species to be cultivated, experience of countries in the region and farther, international market demand and prices, trend etc)		18 working days	27-10 Nov. 2010	Working group and students
4	Creation of a list of possible MAPs to be studied in the refused land of the pilot area (literature recapitulation, and interviews with EPCA board, extensionists and private experts)		5 working days	11 – 17 Nov. 2010	Xhevaire Dulja and Ledia Boshnjaku
5	Designing of the questionnaires for farmers and their printing		6 working days	18- 24 Nov. 2010	Working group
6	Preparation of the semi-structured interviews for farmers and local administration of the selected communes		3 working days	25- 27 Nov. 2010	Working group
7	Training of the students		2+2 working days	01 Dec. 2010	Working group
8	Filed work for the questionnaires and interviewing with farmers		17 working days	02-08 Dec. 2010	Working group and students
9	Interviewing and monitoring for interviews with local administrate		4 working days	09- 11 Dec. 2010	Working group and students
10	Desk work		40 working days	13 Dec. 2010 – 28 Feb. 2011^2	Working group and students
		Creation of databases	10 working days	13 Dec – 23 Dec. 2010	Working group and students
		Cost-profit analyses	13 working days	14 Jan. – 31 Feb. 2011	Working group and students
		Final report writing	17 working days	01 – 28 Feb. 2011	Working group
Total		110 working days		1 Oct. 2010 –28 Feb. 2011

8. Budget of the project

Budget Items*	AHEED $	FEA $	In-kind match $
Salary and Wages -Wages for 2 students Faculty Salary (2 st. x 35 w. d. x 20 $)^3 -Wage for 4 members of working group (4 T.. x 10 w.d. x 45 $)^3	1,400	-	150 150 900 900
Equipment -Use of computer and equipments of faculty for data input and analysis	---	175	-----
Misc. Supplies -Questionnaire printing	90	10	----
Other -Data elaboration	150	----	150
Travel Expenses -Travel expenses to the selected area for the survey (per diem ^4+ travel- 29 days x 25 $ )	725	-----	150
Sub-total	2,365	185	2,400
Total	$4,950

*- minimal net wage/month for less specialized works is 15,000 ALL or 167 $; for researchers at university it is 556 $ and the maximal is about 1,000 $.

Note: research is planned to be accomplished in Tirana district. Expenses will be per diem and travel. No hotel expenses.

9. Pitfalls

The possible pitfalls or risks of the project are:

• 
  The indifference and poor interest of the local government on the refused land;
  
• 
  Lack of information of the local population in the selected rural area regarding the ways of putting in the efficiency of the refused land and regarding MAPs;
  
• 
  Conservative mentality of rural people regarding new ways of generating incomes and improving the status of women
  

10. References

Board of Albanian Essence Producers’ and Cultivators’ Association, 2010. Personal communication.

Canco, Galantina. 2010. Ekonomia e punes. Students book. Universiteti Bujqësor i Tiranës, Tirana.
Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) 2008. The EU market for

herbal infusions. Market survey. www.cbi.eu/marketinfo. (accessed June 10, 2009)

Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) 2008 The spices and

herbs marketing the EU. Market survey. www.cbi.eu/marketinfo. (accessed June 10, 2009).

Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) 2008. Natural ingredients for

pharmaceuticals. Market survey. www.cbi.eu/marketinfo. (accessed June 10, 2009)

EUROPAM 2006. Guidelines for good wild crafting practice of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

Working copy: 5.3.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 2002. Impact of cultivation and

gathering of medicinal and aromatic plants on biodiversity: Case studies from India. In: FAO corporate Document Repository.

http://www.fao.org/documents/pub_dett.asp?pub_id=75423&lang=en. (accessed August 28, 2010)
Lange, D. and Schippmann, U. 1997. Trade survey of medicinal plants in Germany: A contribution to

international species conservation. Bundesamt für Naturschutz, Bonn.

Ministria e Bujqësisë, Ushqimit dhe Mbrojtjes së Konsumatorit, 2009. Vjetari Statistikor. Tirana.

Albania
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and consumer Protection 2010. Unpublished data on refused land in

Albania.
Ministry of Environment 2010. Personal communication
Schippmann, U. Leaman, D. and Cunningham, A.B. 2006. A comparation of cultivation and wild

collection of medicinal and aromatic plants under sustainability aspects. Medicinal and aromatic plants. 17 Springer. Dordrecht. Wageningen UR frontis Series.

http://library.wur.nl/frontis/medicinal_aromatic_plants/06_schippmann.pdf (accessed August 06, 2010).

11. Annexes

Annex 1- Albanian MAP Export-Imports

The data obtained from the Albanian Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection showed that Albanian agricultural and food exports were decreased during 2008 and 2009, probably related to the shrink of the world economy during the present crisis.

Tab.2. Albanian Exports and Imports of MAPs

Albanian Exports	2008			2009
	tons	in All	in €	tons	in All	in €
Herb and Spices Plants	9041,97	2.057.089.000	16.746.000	6007,03	1.507.336.000	11.404.620
Albanian imports
Herb and Spices Plants	403,78	47.270.990	384.710	361,48	66.855.110	501.020

[Source: Ministria e Bujqësisë, Ushqimit dhe Mbrojtjes së Konsumatorit, 2010]

ANNEX 2- Short bio of the research group members

PROF. DR. GALANTINA CANCO
Agricultural University of Tirana Office: + 355 (04) 2200874

Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness Mobil: [phone]

Department of Agribusiness Management E-mail: [e-mail]

Koder Kamez, Tirane

PERSONAL
Date of Birth Feb. 1950

Gender Female

RESEARCH PRIORITIES:

1. 
   Human Resource Management
   
2. 
   Labor Economics
   

LAST PUBLICATIONS
International Conference

1. 
   “Wife’s role in development of the farm” , CEI (Central European Initiative) International Scientific Simposium organization by MADA, co-author , Tirane 8-9 Aprile 2005.
   

2. “ICT in the Agricultural Bussines Optic”, co-author , International Conference , 24 January 2006

3. 
   “The certificate product, a condition for a strict competition” co-author , International Conference : La Sicurezza Alimentare e la Certificazione di Qualita' dei Prodotti Agro-Alimentari 1-16 Decembre 2006.
   
4. 
   “The economicaldevelopmentas a mean factor for reduction of poverty”, co-author, International Scientific Simposium Timisoara, Romana, 14 May 2009
   
5. 
   “The informality in agricultureAlbania’s and the ways for its reduction” International Scientific Simposium Timisoara, Romana, 14 May 2009
   
6. 
   Informality and its influence to economic crises. International Scientific Simposium Tetovo, Macedonia, September 2009
   

TEXT BOOKS

Human Resource Management , 2008

Labor Economics 2010
**********************************************************************************

PROF.DR. HENRIETA STOJKU
Agricultural University of Tirana Office: + 355 (04) 2200874

Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness Mobil: [phone]

Department of Agribusiness Management

Koder Kamez, Tirane

PERSONAL
Date of Birth Nov. 1956

Gender Female

RESEARCH PRIORITIES :

1. 
   Agricultural Production Economy
   
2. 
   Economic optimization
   

EDUCATION

1971-1975: Diploma, High School “P.N. Luarasi”, Tirana
1975-1979: Diploma (Bachelor’s Degree) Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Agrarian

Economy (specialization in agricultural planning)

1984-1990: Post university Studies. Research Program for carrying out Ph.D. Thesis

entitled: “Some problems of the economic effectively of the land capital

investments”.

LAST PUBLICATIONS

• 
  Comparative advantages of olive production in Albania ”. Paper presented at the International Conference of Agricultural Specialists during the integration process. March 2006, Timishoara, Romania
  
• 
  Problems of Oliviculture in Albania. Comparative Advantages with the region countries “Buletini i Shkencave Bujqeore” Review, No 1/2008
  

*********************************************************************************

PH.D. XHEVAIRE DULJA

Agricultural University of Tirana Office: + 355 (04) 2200874

Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness Mobil: + 355 (0) 692177532

Department of Agricultural Economies and Policies E-mail: [e-mail]

Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

Didactic and Research Group

Koder Kamez, Tirane
PERSONAL
Date of Birth January 1967

Gender Female

EDUCATION

2009 PhD. On Agricultural Chemistry, Department of Agroforestal and Environmental Biology and

Chemistry, Agriculture Faculty, University of Bari-Italy
2004 Master of Science on Mediterranean Organic Agriculture. Mediterranean Agronomic Institute

Valenzano, Italy.

1990 Bachelor Degree. Agricultural University of Tirana. Agricultre Faculty

EMPLOYMENT

1999 – Present Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness,

Department of Agricultural Economy and Policies.
1991-1999 Teacher of agricultural subjects on high schools, Lushnja Region (Albania)

TEACHING SUBJECTS AND FIELDS OF INTERESTS:

a)Agricultural Extension and Communication

b) Organic and Sustainable Agriculture

c) Environmental accounting.

PUBLICATIONS

• 
  Poster: “Enzimatic Biodegradation of Superabsorbent Hydrogels in the Soil: Preleminary Data”, XXIV Conference of “Società Italiana del Chimica Agraria”, Alghero (Sardegna)- Italy, 1-4 October 2006.
  
• 
  Poster: “L’Impatto della Presenza degli Idrogeli su Alcune Proprietà Bio-chimiche del Suolo: Prove Preliminari” in the XXV-^th conference of “Società Italiana del Chimica Agraria” titled “IL SISTEMA SUOLO-PIANTA TRA EMERGENZE ED OPPORTUNITA’”, 18-21 September 2007, Pisa/Italy.
  
• 
  Posters on soil types and classifications in the frame work of White Night (La Note Bianca) on soil types and their classification in the framework of White Night on 28-th September 2008, in the Department of Agroforestal and Environmental Biology and Chemistry of Agrarian Faculty-Bari University-Italy.
  
• 
  Poster: “La Degradazione e L’Impatto della Presenza degli Idrogeli sul Sistema Suolo Pianta”, in the XXVI-^th conference of “Società Italiana del Chimica Agraria” titled “IL SISTEMA SUOLO-PIANTA TRA EMERGENZE ED OPPORTUNITA’”,Palermo 30 September – 3 October 2008.
  
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  Poster: “Assessment of the impact of superabsorbent cellulosic hydrogels on soil biological properties”, in the 15-th International Simposium on Environmental Pollution and its Impact In Life in the Mediterranean Region, 7-11 October 2009, Bari, Italy.
  
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  Author of the divulgation article “Kooperimi Krijon Mundësi Zhvillimi (Cooperation creates development possibilities)” on the journal “Bujqësia dhe Ekologjia (Agriculture and Ecology)” ; Nr 3 and 4 (2005), publication of the Albanian Organic Agriculture Association.
  
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  Co-author of the divulgation article “ Eksportuesit shqiptarë prezantojnë prodhimet Organike në panairin Ndërkombëtar të Nűrenbergut: Bio Albania” kërkon tregun botëror (Albanian exporters present their organic products in the International Fair of Nűrenberg: Bio-Albania searching the world market)” on the journal “Rilindja Demokratike", March 2007.
  
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  Author of the article “Gurëshpuesit një luks që i kushton mjedisit ( Sea dates are a luxury that costs to the environment) ", Albanian Journal "MAPO", 26 Qershor 2007.
  
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  Co-author of the guideline:
  
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  „manuale di buone Pratiche nella Filiera delle Piante Medicinale ed Aromatiche (Guideline of Good Practices in the Filier of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) . An Albanian-Italian interreg Project of chieam-bari in collaboration with ICEA-Italy.
  

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PH.D. LEDIA THOMA (BOSHNJAKU)
Agricultural University of Tirana Office: + 355 (04) 2200874

Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness Mobil: + 355 (0) 682097859

Department of Agribusiness Management Home: [phone]

Koder Kamez, Tirane E-mail: [e-mail]

PERSONAL

Date of Birth August 11th 1976

Gender Female

EDUCATION
2009 PhD. On Agribusiness Management. Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness
2001 Master of Science on Agrifood Marketing. Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza,

Spain.
1999 Bachelor Degree. Agricultural University of Tirana. Speciality: Agrarian Economy and Policies

EMPLOYMENT
2007 – Present Agricultural University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy and Agribusiness, Department of Agribusiness Management. Subjects teached and fields of interests: a) Basics of marketing, b) Prices and markets of agricultural products and, c) Marketing research methodology.
2001 – 2006 Research Coordinator, Institute for Development and Research Alternatives (IDRA).

Selected Publications and Other Scientific Activities
April – June 2008 Investimet e Huaja ne agroindustri – Roli dhe prespektiva e tyre (“Foreign Direct Investment in Agribusiness – Role and Prespectives”)”. Ekonomia dhe Tranzicioni, Viti XV,
Nr.2(53), Qendra Shqiptare per Kerkime Ekonomike (Albanian Centre for Economic Research)
2006 Tax Guide 2006, ISBN 99927-992-3-4
2005 Tax Guide 2005, ISBN 99927-992-1-8
2005 Export Guide, ISBN 99927-992-2-6
National Conference, June 200: “ Role of women at rural world, experiences and perspectives in the Albanian transition” - 3 (three) presentations (main and co-author).
20^th Annual World Food and Agribusiness Forum and Symposium, Boston USA, 2010: “Navigating the Global Food System in the New Era” – Presentation of a Case Study (main author).

1 Divided in voices as first point of the same paragraph

2 January – February coincide with the period of exam session which is very busy for teachers and students

3 Abbreviations: St. = students; w. d.= working days; T.= Teachers

4 Per diem is 5000 ALL per day when go far than 200 km from living place. When distance is shorter is paid half of it (about $27)