From Chemicals to Nature - Albania Expands Biological Control in Greenhouse Production
After a series of promising early trials, biological control is steadily gaining ground in becoming a standard production method in Albania’s greenhouse vegetable sector. With the support of GIZ, farmers in Myzeqe - the country’s main hub for greenhouse agriculture - are increasingly adopting this innovative approach, which relies on beneficial insects to combat pests and reduces the need for chemical pesticides. The results are clear: improved food safety, higher-quality produce, greater competitiveness in EU markets and a reduced environmental footprint through lower water and soil pollution. Under the Economic Resilience focus area, GIZ is strengthening Albania’s competitiveness and empowering local businesses to thrive.
Author: Lira Burgija
Boosting Exports Through Pesticide-Free Production
Greenhouse vegetable production is one of Albania’s most important export-oriented sectors, involving approximately 3,000 farms, covering around 2,500 hectares and generating an average annual value of EUR 90 million. Access to higher-value markets in the European Union and beyond, however, increasingly depends on the ability to deliver high-quality produce, free of pesticide residues. Through the application of Biological Control on around 250 hectares of greenhouses nationwide in crops such as peppers, tomatoes and strawberries, the use of chemical pesticides in these products has been reduced to zero or near-zero levels. At the same time, pilot trials are underway to extend this approach to other greenhouse crops, including watermelon and cucumber.
Hoxhaj Village: A Community of Young Farmers Leading the Transition
The village of Hoxhaj, located in Albania’s Berat region, offers a striking example of this transition, driven by young farmers. Home to around 80 young producers managing approximately 35 hectares of farmland, the village has fully embraced biological control methods, marking a significant shift toward sustainable agriculture.
One of these farmers is Emiljano Lushka, who cultivates 1.6 hectares of greenhouses producing peppers and cucumbers, with an average annual output of 22 tonnes. Emiljano’s journey began at the age of 15, when he migrated to Greece and worked on farms in Crete. “It was in Greece that I first saw the implementation of biological insect control,” he explains.
After two years abroad, Emiljano returned to Albania and began cultivating the land he inherited from his father. Since then, he has expanded his farm fivefold and now relies entirely on biological control methods. “All our products are exported to European countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria,” Emiljano emphasizes -highlighting not only the quality of the produce, but also the growing integration of Hoxhaj’s farmers into European markets.
Service Providers Drive Growth and Farmer Confidence
The growing uptake of biological control has been supported by a small but expanding ecosystem of service providers. Currently, around four companies operate in Albania supplying the core inputs - beneficial insects - alongside technical assistance throughout the entire production cycle, from planting to harvest. The insects are imported from international laboratories where they are bred under controlled conditions, while farmers receive continuous guidance on monitoring and application protocols.
“A year ago, we worked with just four farmers. Today, we support hundreds of farmers, driven by a sharp rise in demand for biological control,” says Elvis Shkëmbi, an agronomist and one of the sector’s service providers.
Support and Policy Incentives Accelerate Adoption
With funds from the German, Swiss and British Governments, GIZ has supported Albania’s first pilot projects on biological control in greenhouse vegetable production, since 2021.
More than 500 farmers have been informed and trained on the benefits and practical application of the method, while over 100 public- and private-sector agronomists have strengthened their professional skills through training, field demonstrations and study visits. Very recently GIZ supported several young agronomists to establish the Albanian Agronomists Association.
To further accelerate adoption, the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has introduced financial incentives covering up to 50% of the costs for farmers who apply biological control, signaling a clear policy commitment to more sustainable and competitive agricultural practices. As a first step, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had also removed the VAT for the import of the beneficial organisms needed for the implementation of biological control. This is another sign of commitment from the Government of Albania to reduce costs for farmers and make biological control a standard plan protection method in line with EU requirements.
