Hailstorm destroys crops in Devoll, farmers report losses of up to 70%

Around 40 hectares of agricultural land in Devoll have been damaged by a hailstorm, according to the initial assessments by Devoll Municipality. The average level of damage is estimated at around 40%.

The villages of Braçanj and Dobranj are among the worst-affected areas, where bean fields have suffered considerable damage. In some cases, farmers say they have lost up to 70% of their production.

Beans, which were in the ripening stage and expected to be harvested soon, are the most severely damaged crop. The hail also affected onions, tomatoes, peppers, apples, pears and other agricultural products.

In Dobranj alone, around 30 hectares planted with beans have been identified, with damage ranging from 50% to 60%.

The head of Dobranj village, Petrika Zyfi, said that around 50 farmers had been affected by the situation and that the most serious consequences had been recorded in the bean fields.

Farmers say that several months of work were damaged within just a few minutes. In addition to the losses already caused, they are also concerned about the amount of produce that remains in the fields.

This is the second time in just a few weeks that the area has faced such a storm. According to the farmers, another similar incident occurred a month ago, prompting them to seek support from the institutions.

Field assessments will continue over the next three days in order to accurately determine the affected areas and the extent of the damage.