The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) is an important part of agriculture in Albania, especially in rural areas. Many farmers rely on these plants for their income, but they often face challenges such as limited market access, low prices, and lack of resources.

Since 2020, CNVP Albania has been working to improve this situation through its Local Economic Development (LED) project. The project focuses on helping farmers, especially women, to improve their production, access new markets, and create a stronger MAPs sector.

Women play a key role in the MAPs sector in Albania. However, they often have fewer opportunities compared to men. CNVP Albania is making efforts to change this by ensuring that at least 30% of the farmers involved in the project are women.

In addition, the project organizes training programs and buyer-seller meetings where women farmers can learn, connect with buyers, and take leadership roles in their communities. As a result, many women have increased their income and gained more influence in family and business decisions.

This is an important step for promoting gender equality and supporting women in rural areas.

The LED project is a good example of how market-oriented solutions can bring positive change to traditional agricultural sectors. CNVP Albania is working closely with farmers, exporters, municipalities, and research institutions to build a stronger and more efficient MAPs value chain.

Looking ahead to 2025, the project is continuing its work in a second phase. The main focus will be to expand successful activities, improve financial access for farmers, and encourage better support from local and national policies.

The goal is to create a sustainable MAPs sector in Albania that provides stable incomes for farmers while meeting the growing demand for high-quality medicinal plants in international markets.

With ongoing collaboration and investment, Albania’s MAPs sector has great potential to contribute to the country’s economic growth and create new opportunities for rural communities.

This project is funded by the Swedish Government and implemented by CNVP Albania.