Bio-diversity

Demand for a wide variety of wild species is increasing with growth in human needs, numbers and commercial trade. With the increased realization that some wild species are being over-exploited, a number of agencies are recommending that wild species be brought into cultivation systems (BAH, 2002; Lambert et al., 1997; WHO, IUCN and WWF, 1993). Remote mountain communities in Albania face abandonment due to lack of sustainable income. So far, tourism, agro forestry (wild mushroom collection) and collection and cultivation of medicinal plants are the only activities that provide some income. Due to the lack of diversification of the income generating sources by the Albanian farmers, the collection pressure on the wild population of medicinal plants frequently is beyond the limit that wild populations can support. The main objective of this project is to bring in the targeted community the know-how for the cultivation of sage and provide an example that could be replicated among other farmers.

Albania