The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies organised a high-level forum on sustainable agricultural production in the Mediterranean, on Wednesday 21 September in Tirana. This forum focused on the following theme, Investing in Sustainable Agri-Food Value Chains and an Inclusive Agri-business in the Mediterranean. The FAO was also represented.
According to an EBRD press release, during the discussions it was pointed out that "agriculture is a key economic sector in the Mediterranean", which employs "almost a quarter of the active population in the region". In the region, fruit and vegetable production has increased by 24%, milk products by 8% and olive oil by 9% over recent years.
There are still a number of challenges, however. Due to the increase in food requirements and changing demographics (the region will have a population of 360 million by 2030), there is a threat of a water shortage arising from the frequent number of droughts, in addition to the more general employment challenge, which particularly affects young people. According to the EBRD, "sustainable growth in the agricultural sector can help meet these challenges". It adds that this could also help towards growth and "help increase job opportunities in rural zones". The EBRD believes that agricultural development can also "reduce pressure on rare natural resources". (Original version in French by Fathi B’Chir)