WE DRAW ATTENTION TO DISPROPORTIONS THAT WILL BRING GREAT LOSSES TOMORROW — On the spring planting front — The rainfall of recent days across the entire territory of our country has been sufficient and has created suitable conditions for planting spring crops. One of the main factors on which obtaining the planned yields for all agricultural plants depends is early planting. This has been confirmed by many years of experience in production practice. However, comparisons between districts and farms with the same or similar conditions show that this aspect of technology is not being valued equally everywhere. There is a degree of complacency over the «deluge» of rain and, as a consequence, delays and sluggishness in spring planting. According to the latest figures available to the Ministry of Agriculture, the conditions created are being put to good use in the districts of Lezhë, Shkodër, Vlorë, Fier, Lushnjë, etc. But this is not the case in the districts of Berat, Tirana, Tepelenë, Korçë and Përmet, where the pace of spring planting in recent days has been slower. There is no reason why the district of Berat should, by April 11, have planted only 26 percent of its planned area, while 65 percent has been planted in Lezhë and 55 percent in Shkodër and Vlorë. One of the factors behind Berat’s failure to meet its maize target last year was late planting. The same thing is happening this year in other districts too—not only with maize but with other crops as well—where one-sidedness and neglect must be combated, particularly in planting industrial crops: cotton, tobacco, soybeans, etc. We say this because the figures show that we are at the same level as at this time last year. So far, only 26 percent of the planned cotton area has been planted, or 1,500 hectares less than at the same time last year. This lag cannot be justified when it is known that the most suitable planting period is April 10 to 25. This is also borne out by last year’s experience, when production shortfalls occurred. The experience of cotton growers in Lapardha, Cakran, Luz i Vogël, etc., is already well known: whatever the weather conditions, they have achieved high and stable yields every year. 1989 was considered an unsuitable year for cotton. But where it was planted early, the target was met and exceeded. For example, in the Frakulla cooperative in the district of Fier, an average of 20.8 quintals per hectare was obtained on all 400 hectares planted, and in some brigades as much as 27 quintals per hectare. So the «arguments» that these are peripheral cotton-growing areas do not hold up. To avoid later «whims» of nature, we must think ahead now and make use of the share of rainfall that has fallen and is still falling. Therefore, it is essential to speed up the pace of planting this crop more than on any other front. A similar picture can be seen in tobacco planting. By the end of last week, 46 percent of the planned area had been planted nationwide. The pace has picked up in recent days, especially in the districts of Elbasan, Vlorë, Durrës, Lushnjë, Fier and Lezhë, which have completed more than 60 percent of their target. But the conditions created—namely, the moisture in the soil—do not justify the lag in the districts of Korçë, Dibër, Berat and Librazhd, which are below the national average. There is prepared land, and there are seedlings too. Meanwhile, delays in planting have caused them to become overgrown. As a result, difficulties are arising in their taking root in the field after transplanting, as well as with downy mildew appearing in the seedbeds. Under these circumstances, planting must be accelerated everywhere, beginning first with plots at higher elevations, on skeletal soils and soils with high water permeability. Another task is to inspect the planted areas and make the necessary replacements, so that the required number of plants per hectare is ensured. Time is not waiting. Under the conditions that have arisen, tightly packed schedules must be set, work areas assigned, and the machinery kept fully ready. Just as efforts were made to cope with the drought conditions of a few days ago, efforts must also be made to complete the planting of spring crops on time and to a high standard. … corn on only 26 percent of the planned area, whereas failure to meet its corn target last year was the delay in planting. The same thing is happening this year in about three other districts as well. How can it be explained that, while more than 2,000 hectares have been planted in the district of Dibër, only 30 hectares have been planted in that of Korçë?! They have almost the same climatic conditions and the same material and mechanical resources. The time has come for an “alarm” to be sounded in these days, so that we can make up what we have lost. And this … in the Fier district, all 400 hectares planted with cotton, and up to 27 quintals per hectare in individual brigades. Therefore, the “arguments” that we later “whims” of nature, we must think about this now, rather than “complaining” in October or November. Berat has planted only 26 hectares and Durrës 300 hectares, while 1,800 and 1,000 hectares have been planted in Lushnjë and Fier, respectively. What are the first two districts waiting for? So far, because of delays in planting, approximately 150 degrees Celsius of active temperatures and more than 200 hours of sunlight have been lost, as well as a…

- LIBRAZHD - Almost all economic enterprises fulfilled and exceeded their plan targets for the period January 1–15 April. All economic indicators, from production to financing, were achieved. As a result of exceeding labor productivity, an additional 3 million lekë worth of industrial goods was produced. The targets were met while saving 540,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Even in the first half of April, when reduced energy quotas were in force, there was no failure to meet targets. Among other things, this shows that there are reserves and opportunities. Therefore, it is essential to speed up the pace for this crop more than on any other front. Export targets have been pursued as a priority. The export plan was fulfilled at over 130 percent. What is distinctive this year is that the targets were exceeded by all enterprises, not only in total but also by individual items. The two mines alone—the iron and chrome mines—produced 4.4 million lekë more goods for export than planned. The workers in collection and processing, whose targets are twice those of last year, fulfilled them at 132 percent through better-organized work and by opening collection points in all areas. Exports were also exceeded by the wood-processing enterprise, the forestry enterprise, etc. The results achieved so far are serving as a basis for strengthening the spirit of innovation, debate and comparison; and, on the basis of more dynamic emulation, new opportunities and reserves are being identified, so that we can approach the May 1 celebration with even greater achievements. XHEVDET ALMETA

- KOLONJE - The introduction of material incentives and piece-rate work has served as an incentive in every collective, as well as across the district. This has led even those workers who were not meeting their quotas to make greater efforts to meet them; consequently, across the district this quarter their number fell by an average of 25 percent compared with the first quarter of last year. All the district’s enterprises exceeded their first-quarter targets for industrial production. Across the district, this target was fulfilled at 110.7 percent. Leading the emulation even after the three-month period are the workers of the forestry enterprise, the Mollas Agricultural Enterprise, the SMT, the municipal enterprise, etc. (Continued on page 2)

- Report from Dibra - This time, only the chrome-enrichment plant in Bulqizë failed to meet its first-quarter targets. More than 3,000 tons of concentrate were not produced in the first quarter, and it was not the plant collective’s fault. This entire deficit was caused by the irregular supply of low-grade ore that the Batra mine was supposed to deliver. The deficit created by this mine in supplying the plant amounts to 10,000 tons. The concern is all the greater because the deficit has continued to deepen during these first days of the fourth quarter as well. The Batra mine continues to fail to meet its obligations. Of the 434 tons that make up the daily supply quota, only 114 and 60 tons per day arrived on the last two days, as we were told at the plant. The telephones ring every day. The plant and regional managers go sometimes to Bater, sometimes to Burrel, to the Executive Committee of the district KP, and sometimes to the ministry. Travel allowances, fuel, days lost in meetings. The Mat and Dibër transport depots, which were supposed to transport this ore, have been redirected to arb. All these expenses, and other measures that could have been taken to prevent this deficit from deepening, went to waste.

- Report from Dibra - They add to the deficit in concentrate production. The losses are not small; concern in Bulqizë is great, and yet no solution is in sight, even though the plant collective has pledged to eliminate the deficit by June. But what has been done in Bater? «We are not able to produce enough chrome for the plant. We cannot meet its needs.» This is the response we received from the mine director, as reported at the plant. So, no solution at all. Yet, looking at some other facts, the conclusions point elsewhere. In January, under a directive from the department, the mineral-sorting section at this mine was supposed to begin operating. Funds were also allocated. The plant was also to be supplied from this stockpile of 130,000 tons. Four months have passed, and the section has still not been set up. On February 12, following the concern caused by the January deficits, a broad review meeting was organized. Five sources were identified in the mine’s various sectors, along with the amount of chrome to be obtained from each in order to supply the enrichment plant with 494 tons of ore per day. The tasks were assigned, and at the end of the agreement the signatures of the mine and plant managers, Mehmet Hasa and Mirdash Dani, as well as those of the district and ministry representatives, Bajram Puca, Hamdi Beshku, Agim Cevani and Gole Vasha, were affixed. Let us pause here. On the one hand, it is stated openly, «we are not able to produce as much chrome as the plant requires»; on the other, the agreement is signed. So, it was just to get out of the meeting. Yet those signatures not only solved nothing, they also blocked other solutions that could have been sought to prevent the deficit from continuing to deepen. FRANO ÇAKA

- TIRANA - Yesterday, on “Enver Day,” intensive efforts were made in all four districts of the Tirana district to implement the decisions of the 9th Plenum of the Party Central Committee and the instructions of Comrade Ramiz Alia. In District No. 2, where targets were exceeded by more than 100 percent, the Valias miners stood out in particular: above their daily target, they extracted 200 tons of coal, completed 10 meters of advance workings, and collected 6 tons of scrap iron. Their example was followed by the workers of the “Ali Kelmendi” food combine and the garment-production enterprise, which exceeded their plans by 2 and 5 percent respectively; by the “21 Dhjetori” construction enterprise, where the daily schedule was exceeded by 10–15 percent at several sites; and others. Working in an offensive spirit, employees of District No. 3 produced 200,000 lekë worth of goods above plan. The collective of the brick combine, the “Partizani” and “Tirana” plants, the high-voltage power-line construction enterprise, the shoe factory, and others particularly distinguished themselves through more productive, higher-quality work, producing 1–5 percent above their assigned targets. At the “Josif Pashko” construction-materials combine, the cartographic enterprise, and the “Dajti” plant, even the daily export targets were exceeded. For its better achievements in District No. 1, the collective of the autotruck combine stood out, exceeding its plan by 2 percent. Workers in the cast-iron foundry-2 section exceeded the export target for the production of drums by 10 percent. The workers of the mechanical plant and the Polygraphic Printing House also distinguished themselves: they exceeded targets by 6 percent for 40 percent of their products, and exports delivered 40 percent more goods. In the agricultural enterprises and cooperatives of District No. 4, with the plan doubled, the areas planted with corn, vegetables, beans and potatoes were expanded, as were the areas fertilized with nitrate for wheat; work was also carried out in olive groves, orchards, and so on. The cooperative members of Petrelë, Baldushk, Veri, and Shkallë stood out in particular, as did workers at the “17 Nëntori” and “Gjergj Dimitrov” agricultural enterprises, Kamëz, and others. Yesterday, too, action was organized to landscape the area, clean it, and create cultural spaces, and so on. After work, discussions and meetings were held with workers, young men and women, veterans and cadres; competitions were organized, as were assessments comparing achievements with the objectives of the movement “Standard-bearers of the teachings of Comrade Enver Hoxha, fighters for the implementation of the decisions of the 9th Party Congress,” and so on. Amateur groups performed, and thematic afternoons were also organized. - GJIROKASTËR - Cooperative members and workers at agricultural enterprises in the Gjirokastër district took part in action to speed up tobacco planting. The high-type agricultural cooperative of Sofratikë stood out in particular, where the set targets were exceeded. Eleven hectares were planted with tobacco, and four brigades, including the Dervician brigade led by brigadier Valentina Guxo, completed planting the entire planned area. With the assistance they provided… The workers of the Gjirokastër mechanical plant also exceeded industrial production by 6 percent, organized. - GJIROKASTËR - With the assistance they provided…

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Comrade Ramiz Alia, sent the following congratulatory telegram to the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Hafez Al Asad: “I am pleased, on the occasion of Syria’s national holiday, on behalf of the Albanian people, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly and myself, to send you, Mr. President, warm greetings and my very best wishes for the happiness of the friendly Syrian people and the prosperity of the country. I wish for the friendly relations between our two countries to develop without interruption, for the common good of the Albanian and Syrian peoples.” (ATSH)

The House of Culture in the Danofrosë agricultural cooperative in the district of Berat has extended its activities promoting production to the brigades and sectors. A discussion with outstanding sunflower growers and specialists, who shared their work experience for increasing yields, was followed with interest. At the house and cultural centres in Goriçan, too, meetings have been held in cooperation with mass organizations to share advanced work practices, such as those of mothers with many children and outstanding women who have consistently met their targets. Also, at the House of Culture in Pafat, production specialists organized a discussion to familiarize people with the usual rules and their practical implementation. (According to ATSH)

In several schools in the district of Skrapar, new classrooms have been set up to teach foreign-language subjects to a high standard, equipped with teaching aids and instructional materials. A successful practice is the use of teaching methods involving pairs and groups of pupils, which has contributed to the rapid development of their lexical and grammatical skills. Pupils’ interest has also been stimulated by other approaches, such as using cards with grammar tasks and various practice games. To foster a greater interest in foreign languages among pupils, teachers at the “Zylyftar Veleshnja” and “Kahreman Ylli” schools, and at the secondary schools in Poliçan, Kuç, Çorovodë, and elsewhere, provide differentiated instruction outside class hours in foreign-language clubs. (According to ATSH)

Aridona Preza is one of the most outstanding workers in the knitting department of the textile-knitwear factory in Shkodër. (Photo: A. Bodinaku-ATSH)

In over three months: What have we achieved?