Albania to plant 20 million olive trees as demand doubles

Albania will plant 20 million olive trees countrywide, as the demand for new plants has doubled since 2008.

"The fivefold increase of the olive cultivation fund is one of the most ambitious promises of the government during the next four years. We should plant 20 million olive trees to pave the way to at least 30 million others in the coming years," Prime Minister Sali Berisha said in a statement.

In its 2009 budget, Albania allocated 104 million leke (750,000 euros) for olive-growing, out of a total 1.1 billion leke (7.9 million euros) for agriculture, Agriculture Minister Genc Ruli said (www.km.gov.al).

About 17,000 hectares have been identified that could be rehabilitated for the new trees. Of the total plantings, 65% will be local varieties and 35% foreign. (Balkans.com)