WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development
Print ISSN: 1790-5079, E-ISSN: 2224-3496
Volume 19, 2023
An Innovative Inclusive Approach to Enhancing Agricultural Sustainable Development in Albania: The Case of Nucleus Albania
Authors: , ,
Abstract: Agriculture has been essential for humanity's survival, progress, and well-being throughout history, and yet it remains an essential and challenging sector of the global economy. While under a continuous transformational process, advancement towards inclusive and sustainable development of agricultural practice remains a challenge for the sector. In Albania, the agricultural sector is vital to the economy (particularly in the rural areas), accounting for a large share of gross value added, employment, and exporting activity in the country. Rooted in the early 90s land reform law and decollectivisation policy, multiple structural and non-structural challenges hinder the agricultural sector's full potential exploitation. This paper aims to assess the impact of Nucleus Albania's (NA) innovative nuclei approach in strengthening the MSME market position and, in turn, the agricultural sector and sustainable development in Albania. The impact assessment was conducted using a mixed methods approach, including secondary and primary data analysis (collected through a structured questionnaire and direct interviews). Combined findings suggest a positive impact of the NA-tailored support package on MSME business activity, including improved product quality and diversification, expansion of production capacities and customer base, increased employment and annual turnover, and investments in technology. In addition, the collaborative platform established through NA plays an important role in promoting innovation in agriculture and facilitating knowledge exchange among participants, making a substantial contribution to the overall development of the agricultural sector in Albania. Our findings support the NA approach's effectiveness and its role in modernizing and transforming the agricultural sector, contributing to long-term sustainable development in Albania and beyond.
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Pages: 1468-1474
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2023.19.133