Leadership as Important Factor for Agricultural Development in Albania

Abstract

An important challenge for the development of the Albanian agriculture remains the small surface and farm fragmentation. A chance for enhance with a sustainable impact is the agriculture development based on the principles of collective action. The objective of the study is measurement of the importance of leadership perceived by farmers and farmers’ willingness to cooperate among main agricultural activities in Albania. The study will investigate farmers in two important agricultural sectors – vegetable production in greenhouses and apple production. Study measures the impact of leadership as a factor which increases farmers’ potential for collective action, illustrated by vegetable producers in greenhouses and apple producers. Results of the research show that leadership is an important factor for development of collective action in Albanian agriculture. The results are especially important for agricultural sectors of vegetable production in greenhouses and apple production, but they can also be useful for undeveloped agricultural regions. Promotion of leadership in farming communities will have benefits beyond agriculture by promoting good management and maintenance of common resources.