Capacity Building of Fushe Arrez community for protection of rare, endemic and wild fruits / nut plants

Specific Objectives

• To prevent the extinction of varieties of endemic agricultural and wild fruit/nut plants in the Fushë-Arrëz area
• To inform and raise awareness of farmers on rare endemic agricultural plants and wild fruit/nut plants, on their usefulness for agriculture and characteristics of cultivation through strengthening cooperation among community and LGU
• Promoting more widespread cultivation/use of rare endemic plants for food production.
• Economic development of the local agriculture of Fushë-Arrëz area through diversification of products (which would also stimulate agro-tourism).

Expected Results

• At least 10 rare endemic agricultural plants, wild fruit/nut trees will be explored and collected.
• At least 65 farmers trained during the training/workshops related to seed values, importance and when it can be found and will be informed on-site during the farm visits on these endemic plants and their cultivation
• At least 5 NGO-s and state institutions will participate and be informed in the activities of the project
• At least 4 Local Media representatives (printed and electronics) with special focus on environment issues will be informed on the issue and the activities of the project
• 100 copies of brochures will be distributed to the agricultural department specialists, agronomists, farmers of Fushë-Arrëz, informing them on the issues
• At least 40 participants (beneficiaries, experts, decision-makers) will be informed on the project results and will advocate for further intervention on the Final Conference
• At least 10,000 persons from the public will be informed on the biodiversity of endemic agricultural plants through a documentary produced during the project.

The implementation of the project has started and it is going based on the plan proposed. The first instalment of 7,749.28 Euro is disbursed after the signing of grant contract.