Under the framework of the ValueNet project (GIZ/SRD), funded by the British Embassy, FSRD experts organized a meeting in the village of Bllacë with a group of 15 women, where preliminary information was gathered regarding the crops and the issues they face.

Situation observed during the meeting:
The village of Bllacë has around 35 families, mainly engaged in agriculture (cultivation of plants) and livestock. There are also supplementary activities such as beekeeping (each family has several hives in their yard) and forestry.

• The village has a valley with about 35 hectares of agricultural land. The soil is characterized by a good composition, fertility, and structure suitable for cultivation.
• Among the crops, potatoes are the main one, covering about 4-5 hectares.

Identified Issues:

1. Low agricultural yields:
• Agricultural production yields are low, leading to a low economic efficiency.
2. Problems with potato seeds:
   • The current seed is not of high quality, and there are deficiencies in services such as:
   • Poor nutrition of the plants
   • Lack of irrigation
   • Inadequate protection from pests and diseases.
3. Poor management of organic manure:
   • Manure from livestock stalls is not properly treated; it is left in nature and its nutritional value is not utilized for agricultural purposes.

Proposed Interventions:

1. Improvement of potato seed quality:
• Providing high-quality seeds of the SANTA variety, or secondary alternatives such as AGRIA and FABULA, of Elite (E) class, imported.
2. Agricultural equipment:
• Supplying the group with a cultivator for agricultural services, particularly for potatoes and other plants.
3. Experimental trials:
• Testing new potato varieties to identify the most suitable ones for the area.
4. Technical advice on seed and planting:
• Pre-activation of seeds before planting and the application of proper planting techniques.
5. Supply of necessary fertilizers:
• Providing essential fertilizers for plants, especially potash.
6. Local production of potato seeds:
• Establishing a unit for producing potato seeds in the higher areas of the village to multiply imported seeds and ensure R1 generation seeds in the future.
7. Diversification of crops:
• Providing selected vegetable seeds (tomatoes, peppers, etc.) in small quantities as a model to encourage the cultivation of selected varieties.
8. Management of organic manure:
• Interventions to improve the handling and use of organic manure as an efficient nutrient source for plants.
9. Ongoing visits and advice:
• Monitoring agricultural practices and providing advice on:
• Agricultural circulation
• Fertilization
• Planting techniques and plant protection.
10. Preparation of technological materials:
• Preparation of written guidelines for plant cultivation, organic manure processing, and management of internal farm resources, as needed.