TIRANA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Road infrastructure improvement in rural areas in Albania brings growth and diversification of agricultural production, increases revenues and improves life quality, said a study on the impact of rural roads in Albania conducted by the Albanian Development Fund with the support of the World Bank.
According to the study titled "Socioeconomic impact of secondary and local road project" in Albanian rural areas where there have been investments in road infrastructure, agricultural production increased and diversified by 30 percent, production costs decreased by about 15 percent and employment increased by about 13 percent.
The analysis conducted is based on the study of households in Albania administered in a sample of about 2,000 households living in 144 villages in 12 districts and consultation with 10 focus groups in both stages of the 2012 and 2016 study phases.
The study revealed that there was a significant improvement of access to education and health infrastructure, an increase in land value in areas affected by the program, and an increase in family income due to the shortening of the distance between farmers and points collection of agricultural products.
According to the study, the hospital travel time was reduced by 27 percent in the beneficiary communities, whose residents have 12 percent more opportunities to visit health centers compared to non-beneficiary communities. Moreover, travel time and travel expenses in secondary schools decreased by 31 percent and 54 percent, respectively, as a result of improving street condition.
Moreover, investments in infrastructure had a significant and positive impact as well on land and agricultural land values. The average value of housing increased by 48 percent, whereas the price of agricultural land is 1.2 times higher in beneficiary communities compared to non-beneficiary communities.
Meanwhile, the farmers suggest that production and diversification of agricultural crops is also 34.2 percent higher in beneficiary communities compared to non-beneficiary communities.
The analysis of statistical data and field interviews shows that the unemployment rate of the head of the family is 12.6 percent lower and self-employment increased by 12.9 percent in beneficiary communities.
Furthermore, the study shows that investments had a positive impact on the local economy as well. Indicators for this are the increase in household consumption expenditures, where after the investment, the total family spending (food and non-food expenses) in the beneficiary communities is 25 percent higher.
The study from the Albanian Development Fund spreads across Albania and covers a 5-year period (2012-2016) with the aim to measure the impact that the "Improvement of Secondary and Local Roads" program had in the medium term in the beneficiary areas.