Tabaku: The village is being abandoned, agriculture is sinking

In a meeting with farmers in one of the rural areas near Tirana, Democratic Party candidate for MP, Jorida Tabaku, brought to attention the dramatic state of agriculture and the abandonment of the village.

In a direct conversation with farmers, she emphasized that Albania is failing in one of its greatest assets: land and working people.

"We are failing with what God has given us – with agriculture. We are failing with the farmer ," Tabaku declared regretfully, while expressing concern for the empty villages and the lack of a younger generation to work the land.

Farmers shared with Tabaku the many difficulties they face every day – from labor shortages, high taxes, unfair competition with imports, to fuel and electricity prices.

"Oil is getting more expensive every day. Energy is too. And what's more, we are in the same VAT bracket as importers. This is an injustice," said one of the farmers.

Tabaku pledged a concrete program for the village and the diaspora. “For Albanians returning from abroad, we have a plan: 5 years of tax-free income for those who want to invest in the village,” she declared.

She also promised:

Reducing VAT for agriculture to 6%;

Direct subsidies to farmers;

Real use of IPARD funds, which are currently lacking due to corruption;

Reconnecting agriculture with tourism as a development engine for rural areas.

"The village needs small things, but you have to love it to do them. We have this love and we have this vision," Tabaku emphasized.