CLIMATIC RISK AND CERTIFIED INPUTS AS DETERMINANTS OF POTATO PRODUCTION RISK: EVIDENCE FROM SHISHTAVEC, ALBANIA

This study empirically examines potato production risk in the Shishtavec Administrative Unit, focusing on two key determinants: climatic risk and the use of certified agricultural inputs. Based on primary data collected from potato farmers, the empirical analysis employs descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The results indicate that climatic risk does not exert a statistically significant direct effect on potato yield, suggesting that local farming practices and farmers’ experience mitigate the impact of climatic variability. In contrast, the use of certified inputs shows a positive and statistically significant association with potato productivity, contributing to the reduction of production risk. These findings highlight the central role of farm-level management factors in stabilizing agricultural production. The study underscores the importance of agricultural policies aimed at improving farmers’ access to certified inputs and extension services as effective instruments for risk mitigation, particularly in mountainous farming systems.