Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy 2022–2028

The Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy 2022–2028 is Kosovo’s key policy document for the agricultural sector, adopted by the Government in 2022. The strategy aims to develop a competitive, sustainable, and EU-aligned agri-rural sector, improve living conditions in rural areas, and protect natural resources. (German Economic Team)

🎯 Strategic Objectives

The strategy is built on four main objectives:

  • Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Agri-Food Sector
    – By increasing productivity, promoting innovation, and improving market access (Kryeministri i Kosovës)
  • Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
    – Including land, water, forests, and biodiversity.
  • Improving Rural Livelihoods and Development
    – Through support for rural businesses, agritourism, and social infrastructure.
  • Institutional Reform and Digitalization
    – Aiming to provide efficient public services and align agricultural policies with EU standards.

⚙️ Implementation Measures and Tools

The strategy is implemented through two main support pillars:

  • Pillar I: Direct Payments (Subsidies)
    – Supporting farmers’ income and contributing to food security.

  • Pillar II: Rural Development Grants
    – Including investments in infrastructure, agri-product processing, and agritourism.

In addition, the strategy involves capital projects and institutional reforms to enhance the efficiency of the public administration in the agricultural sector.

📊 Implementation & Monitoring

Implementation is monitored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MBPZHR). The 2023 Monitoring Report highlights progress in most planned measures, with notable achievements in:

  • Increased budget for direct payments, with some measures reaching 170% realization, largely due to greater inclusion of small-scale farmers.

  • Development of advisory services, including the establishment of 7 regional offices and training for over 6,500 farmers.

  • Expanded support for agritourism and processing of agricultural products, including investments in tourism infrastructure and livestock breed improvements.

However, challenges were noted in the implementation of some capital investments and in securing donor funding for specific measures.

🇪🇺 Alignment with EU Policies

The strategy is aligned with the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and aims to integrate Kosovo into the EU single market. This includes aligning standards on production, food safety, and environmental protection with EU regulations.

 

📄 Related Documents

📌 For more information and updates on agriculture and rural development in Kosovo, visit the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development:
🌐 www.mbpzhr-ks.net

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