Lazarati, an area known in Albania for marijuana cultivation a few years ago, is returning to small manufacturing businesses and traditional products. An enterprise fair has started for the first time, encouraging participation from other areas of Gjirokastra. Although the areas are affected by youth migration, entrepreneurs say they can make better use of natural resources to boost employment and income.
Dozens of Lazarat residents have gathered to promote for the first time their manufacturing and trading ventures as well as small traditional crafts at an interregional fair. The village, which in June seven years ago was to be taken over by the authorities after being known for its massive marijuana cultivation for many years, has returned to small manufacturing businesses.
The idea of the fair was to turn Lazarat into a zonal center for other areas for the presentation of typical products, says Jaço Meço, who promoted this organization.
“The first idea to hold the interzonal fair was born to promote the community of Lazarat, which is one of the most important communities in the area, one of the largest communities in the area. Lazarus is currently a village, but in the future it may be a city. I strongly believe that Lazarat will show even more value “, he says.
Many companies have brought products that are not only known in Gjirokastra but also in the national market. Lazarat cheese and processed milk by-products are now widely known in the Albanian market. Mr. Meçi says that the goal will be for such an annual activity.
“The first fair aims to promote the area in Lazrat. This is the beginning of a fair that we have decided to be annual, of course considering the progress. In this fair there are 30 enterprises, half from Lazarat and half from other areas such as Libohova, Dropulli, Lunxheria, Gjirokastra“.
Lumturi Malaj has brought to the fair the national costumes that she makes by hand and are traded not only in the Albanian market but also abroad. Happiness says declining worship has affected product marketing, but she works diligently to meet demand.
“I have traded in the pro village as well as abroad, as in Greece, USA. With these works I can not cover the expenses of the family because I need the help of the children “, she says.
While Spiro Dhima came to the fair from the Lunxhëria area with honey products. Sprio says the pandemic brought a lot of hardship to their business.
“In the pandemic the problem was the quifism of the movement of people and this made the shots smaller. Sales in the tourism sector have also been lower this year“, He says,
Lazarat like many areas has been significantly affected by youth migration. Mr. Meçi says that small productive enterprises should be encouraged to promote the employment of young people.
“Even with trahana we can do business. I would suggest to all the young people of the area, not only Lazarat, to engage in activities of production of typical local products and can be very successful”.
Mr. Dhima also says that the challenges are difficult for young people, but not insurmountable.
“There are difficulties in sales, in organization, as in all the work that young people want to do. If a person tries and works here in Albania, he can do it. ”
The cultivation of marijuana this year is seen with concern in many areas in Albania as it increases crime, especially among young people.