Prolonged Drought Takes Toll on Crops

TIRANA, September 7

The prolonged dry season caused severe damage to 50 percent of field and fruit crops.
According to a report issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the lack of rain falls for more than 70 days and high temperatures damaged vegetable crops, corn, alfalfa, fruit crops, vineyards, olive and citrus fruits. Therefore, corn production is expected to drop nearly 22 percent while over 30 percent of alfalfa plants were damaged.
Other warm-season veggies affected by the lack of rain are vegetable and potatoes.

In the meantime, fruit crops were reduced by 20 percent due to the weather conditions. The prolonged drought affected the entire Balkans and beyond. Wheat exporting countries like Serbia, Ukraine, and Hungary reported a drop by 30 percent
On the other hand, experts say that the crops damage will affect the prices in the domestic and international markets.
In order to prevent such situations, it is necessary to improve the irrigation networks. The government allocated an amount of Lek 2.4 billion in this year’s budget for irrigation networks.
Moreover, experts say that better coordination between the local and central power is needed.

News Source: TCh

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