Local production systems and pastoral resources management in Albania. Between stakeholders strategies and institutional developments[Systèmes de production locaux et gestion des ressources pastorales en Albanie. Entre stratégies d’acteurs et évolutions institutionnelles]

The article analyses the dynamics of livestock systems in an Albanian mountainous territory under strong socio-economic, geographic and historical constraints. The objective is to understand the processes that have led to the coexistence of contrasting livestock systems in this territory and to show how this coexistence is linked to the use of pastoral resources. Following the fall of the communist regime in 1991, the strong migration of the population to the lowland areas and the increase of the demand for dairy and meat products has resulted in increased production and herd size in this territory, with increased pressure on pastoral resources. The surveys carried out in five villages make it possible to propose a typology of livestock systems, showing the diversity of economic results and uses of pastoral resources. These results question the evolution of pastoral farming in Albania in the context of a possible integration of this country into the European Union.