TIRANA, Aug. 7 /ATA/ - The village of Çermë in Divjakë, one of Albania’s best-known areas for fresh vegetable production, is expanding its agricultural profile with tobacco cultivation, a crop that is showing potential for higher returns and diversification of family farming.
Farmer Altin Kullolli has planted 1.2 hectares of tobacco, becoming the first grower in Çermë to introduce the crop. His decision to invest in tobacco came after returning from migration in Greece, where he spent seven years gaining agricultural experience.
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla shared Kullolli’s story on social media, highlighting the farmer’s efforts to bring new agricultural practices to his hometown.
“I worked for seven years in Greece and decided to bring that experience back to my birthplace. I believed tobacco could become a profitable crop and provide a stable source of income for my family,” Kullolli said.
The farm is currently at the peak of the harvesting season, with tobacco leaves being collected and undergoing traditional drying processes. The farmer said favourable weather conditions this year have contributed to high-quality production.
Kullolli aims to develop a competitive product that meets market standards and expand cultivation in the coming years, with the goal of eventually targeting export markets.
The initiative is being presented as an example of how returning migrants and investment in agriculture can contribute to rural development by introducing new crops, diversifying production and creating additional income opportunities.
Tobacco cultivation in Albania is concentrated mainly in the regions of Berat, Fier, Elbasan, Korçë and Shkodër. The crop is grown by individual farmers as well as small agricultural enterprises, with production serving both the domestic market and export channels following drying and processing.
According to data from National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), tobacco recorded an average yield of 19.3 quintals per hectare in the latest reporting year, with the highest production levels recorded in the regions of Korçë, Fier and Vlorë.
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