Out of standard seeds “sabotage” production of peppers for Albanian farmers

14/04/2022 20:59

8 years ago Syrja Fetahu returned from migration to set up 8000 square meter of greenhouses in the Dimali area in southern Albania. As other times he planted peppers the greenhouse with green peppers, but while he was waiting for the production of ‘manjar’ pepper variety, there turned out to be a problem.

“The seeds of the manjar variety have come out with problems. This one here was quite good, while this other one bad, the fruit has no seed inside. Half turned out good and half bad. Although it is the same variety. Only this year I spent 12 million ALL”, says Fetahu.

Farmers say the lack of seed in the fruit stops its development. Even Elton Agalliu’s greenhouse is filled with small peppers without seeds inside. According to him, the production will not go to the market, but will be thrown into the canal.

“I have been using this seed for 7 years. I should have made at least 3 harvests but even what we got we threw away because they are without quality “, says Agalliu.

The farmer bought the pepper seedling three months ago in the agricultural pharmacy for 26 lek, and only from one plant the farmers were expected to harvest 10 kg of peppers, but this year they expect to get only one kilogram.

Farmers say that poor quality will keep them away from the market, so next season to cultivate their products in the greenhouses they will have to borrow money, otherwise the land remains barren.

Elton, Syrjai, and Edmondi, instead of compensation seek the culprit.

“Here we are currently, we have 1000 m2 of greenhouses, I bought the seedling for 26,9 lek each. Those gentlemen say they are not responsible, one says it is the climate, the other says it is completely squeezed, the other blames the land feeders.

“Even we do not know what to throw at them anymore”, says Agalliu.

For Edmond, this greenhouse is everything, as this greenhouse is his only source of income: “The problem is that this variety is coming out without seeds. Give us some compensation, so that we can plant next season. From 1500 m2 I sold only 50 kg of produce, when I should have sold at least 300”.

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