bujqësi

Bujqësi is the Albanian term for agriculture, the practice and science of cultivating the land and rearing animals for food, fiber, and other products. It covers crop production, animal husbandry, and related activities such as soil management, irrigation, pest control, and post-harvest handling. The field includes subdisciplines like agronomy, horticulture, animal science, soil science, and agribusiness.

Core activities in bujqësi include growing cereals, vegetables, fruits, and other crops, as well as breeding and managing livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry. Processing, storage, quality control, marketing, and rural development are closely linked components of the sector. Sustainable practices—soil conservation, efficient water use, integrated pest management, crop rotation, and climate-smart farming—have gained prominence to reduce environmental impact and increase resilience.

Historically, bujqësi has been a foundation of food security and livelihoods, shaping rural communities through various farming systems. In Albania, the sector remains significant in the countryside, often featuring small to medium-sized holdings, a mix of subsistence and commercial production, and ongoing modernization through investments in infrastructure, irrigation, credit, and market access.

Economic and social dimensions include employment, rural incomes, and regional development. Global trends influence bujqësi as well, including climate change, policy frameworks, and the growing emphasis on sustainable, organic, and resilient farming practices.