The typically rich and well adapted crop diversity of Albania is facing an unprecedented threat. A two-year FAO project set to conclude with a national workshop here tomorrow has responded to that threat – by developing a resilient new system for documenting and monitoring this priceless resource.

Albania’s rich crop diversity has been a long time in the making. The soils, climate and geographic position of the country have contributed, over centuries, to the adaptation and development of a large number of crops and varieties important for food security. Crops like wheat, maize, beans, vegetables, fruit trees, grapevines and olives received special focus in the project.