Report on Agricultural Adaptation and Sustainable Development in Albania

Introduction: Climate Change and Agricultural Sector Challenges

Albania’s agricultural sector, which accounted for 19% of the nation’s GDP in 2020, faces significant challenges from climate change and demographic shifts. These challenges threaten traditional farming practices and the country’s food production capacity, necessitating urgent adaptation strategies aligned with global sustainability targets.

• Climate Impact: The Western Balkans are projected to experience an average temperature increase of 3.5 to 8.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. Researchers from the Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development warn that resulting heatwaves will likely damage traditional crop yields in Albania.
• Socio-Economic Pressures: The agricultural industry is compounded by a severe worker shortage, as the nation has experienced a significant population decline over the past decade.

Innovative Adaptation in Response to Climate Change (SDG 13)

In response to these environmental pressures, Albanian farmers are pioneering innovative agricultural practices. This proactive adaptation is a direct contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action), which calls for urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts. A key example is the work of veteran agronomist Irakli Shkoza, who began diversifying his farm in 2019 by cultivating non-native crops.

• Introduction of exotic fruit seeds from Africa and America.
• Successful adaptation of these new plant species to the warm climate of central Albania.
• Demonstration of a viable model for building agricultural resilience to climate-related hazards.

Aligning with Sustainable Production and Consumption (SDG 2 & SDG 12)

The shift towards exotic fruit cultivation aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on sustainable agriculture and responsible consumption.

1. Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2): By cultivating climate-resilient crops, farmers are promoting sustainable agriculture that can withstand environmental shocks, thereby supporting the goal of ending hunger and ensuring food security.
2. Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12):
   • Exotic crops like those grown by Shkoza require less water and maintenance, promoting efficient resource use and reducing production costs.
   • Supplying the European market from Albania drastically reduces food miles compared to traditional imports from Latin America or Asia, lowering the carbon footprint of the food supply chain.
   • Local cultivation allows fruit to ripen naturally, enhancing freshness and quality while reducing reliance on artificial processes.

Economic Growth and Market Opportunities (SDG 8 & SDG 9)

This agricultural transformation presents significant economic opportunities, fostering progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• Market Potential: There is high demand for exotic fruits in Europe. Albanian producers are positioned to meet this demand with fresher, more cost-effective products.
• Economic Impact: Experts estimate that exotic fruit exports could generate an annual turnover of 100 to 200 million euros for Albania, driving substantial economic growth.
• Innovation: This strategic shift represents a key innovation for Albania’s agricultural industry, adapting its infrastructure and practices to capitalize on new climatic conditions and market demands.

Case Studies and Future Outlook

The success of this adaptive strategy is demonstrated by several farmers who are already capitalizing on the new opportunities.

• Irakli Shkoza (Divjaka): Is currently exporting dragon fruit, passion fruit, and pepinos. He and other local farmers recently exported 30 tons of kiwano (African horned cucumber) to Croatia.
• Lulzim Bullari (Elbasan): Manages 40 hectares of kiwi orchards, exporting almost exclusively to Switzerland and the Netherlands. He has also diversified into cultivating highly resistant North African fig trees on an additional 15 hectares.

These cases illustrate that proactive adaptation to climate change can create a resilient, profitable, and sustainable agricultural sector. By embracing innovation, Albanian farmers are not only securing their own livelihoods but also contributing to national economic growth and the global Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article highlights issues and solutions that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core themes of agricultural adaptation to climate change, economic growth through new markets, and sustainable production practices link to the following SDGs:

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article focuses on ensuring food production through resilient agricultural practices and increasing the productivity of farmers.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: It discusses the economic potential of diversifying agriculture, increasing national turnover through exports, and the contribution of agriculture to the country’s GDP.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article implicitly promotes more sustainable production and consumption patterns by suggesting that locally grown exotic fruits in Albania for the European market are a fresher and more sustainable alternative to long-distance imports.
   • SDG 13: Climate Action: The entire premise of the article is based on adapting agricultural practices to the realities of climate change, specifically rising temperatures.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the actions and outcomes described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.3: “By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers…” The story of Irakli Shkoza, a farmer on a “small farm” (two hectares), who is successfully cultivating and exporting high-value crops, directly relates to this target. The article notes that Albanian farmers can “profit from their favourable climate.”
   • Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change…” The farmers’ shift to exotic fruits that “need less water and maintenance” and are better suited to the “warm local climate” is a clear example of implementing resilient agricultural practices to adapt to climate change.

   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: “Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…” The diversification from traditional crops to exotic fruits like dragon fruit, passion fruit, and kiwano represents agricultural innovation and diversification aimed at boosting economic productivity. The article states that agriculture accounted for “19 percent of Albania’s gross domestic product in 2020.”

   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: “By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.” The fact that the new crops “need less water” points directly to a more efficient use of natural resources in agriculture.
   • Target 12.a: “Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.” The article showcases Albania, a developing country, using agronomic knowledge to adapt its agricultural sector. By supplying the European market, it offers a more sustainable production source compared to imports from “Latin America, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia,” reducing transport emissions and the need for artificial ripening.

   SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The central theme is the adaptation of Albanian agriculture to climate-related hazards, specifically “rising temperatures” and “heatwaves.” The farmers’ success demonstrates strengthened resilience and adaptive capacity.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   Indicators for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

   • Crop Diversification: The introduction and successful cultivation of new crops like “dragon fruit, passion fruit and pepinos,” “kiwano,” and “kiwis” serve as a qualitative indicator of implementing resilient agricultural practices (Target 2.4).
   • Agricultural Yield/Production Volume: The mention of an “abundant harvest” and a specific export volume of “30 tons of kiwano” are direct indicators of agricultural productivity (Target 2.3).

   Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Economic Turnover: The projection that “with exotic fruits exports and could make a turnover of 100 to 200 million euros annually” is a key financial indicator of economic growth resulting from diversification (Target 8.2).
   • Contribution to GDP: The fact that “Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 19 percent of Albania’s gross domestic product in 2020” provides a baseline indicator for the sector’s economic importance (Target 8.2).

   Indicators for SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

   • Resource Efficiency: The statement that “Exotic fruits need less water and maintenance” is a direct indicator of more efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2).
   • Reduced Food Miles/Supply Chain Efficiency: The argument that fruits from Albania would be “cheaper” and “fresher” than those from distant continents implies a reduction in transportation costs and energy, which is an indicator of more sustainable production and consumption patterns (Target 12.a).

   Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Implementation of Adaptation Strategies: The entire narrative of farmers switching to crops better suited for a warmer climate is a qualitative indicator that adaptation strategies are being implemented in response to climate change (Target 13.1).
   • Climate Projections: The reference to a study projecting temperature rises “between 3.5 and 8.8 degrees Celsius” serves as an indicator of the climate-related hazards that necessitate adaptation (Target 13.1).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.3: Double agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale producers. 2.4: Ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.	– Successful cultivation on a “small farm” (2 hectares). – Mention of an “abundant harvest.” – Export of “30 tons of kiwano.” – Shift to new crops (dragon fruit, kiwi, etc.) that are resilient to the new climate.
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.2: Achieve higher economic productivity through diversification and innovation.	– Diversification into exotic fruits. – Potential annual turnover of “100 to 200 million euros.” – Agriculture contributing “19 percent of Albania’s gross domestic product.”
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. 12.a: Support developing countries’ capacity for sustainable production.	– New crops “need less water and maintenance.” – Albanian-grown fruit is “fresher” and “cheaper” for European markets than long-distance imports, implying reduced transport costs and emissions.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.	– The entire strategy of switching crops is a direct adaptation to “rising temperatures” and “heatwaves.” – Successful adaptation of plants from Africa and America to the local climate.

Source: france24.com