Kosovo’s Digital Agriculture Programme Action Plan for 2025-2028
Strategic framework to drive overarching priorities in digital transformation for agriculture and rural areas
Description
In partnership with FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development of Kosovo officially launched the Digital Agriculture Programme and Action Plan 2025-2028. The policy serves as a structured strategic framework and roadmap to transform Kosovo’s agriculture sector and rural areas. Three strategic objectives were developed. The first target aims to establish and improve e-government and data infrastructure. This step enables the enhancement of efficiency and data-driven decision-making in the sector. Secondly, the creation of an inclusive functional network of digital services is proposed to improve access to agriculture advisory services, and knowledge exchange as well as to foster collaboration. Lastly, the policy prioritizes the development of human capital to assist in the digital transformation of the agriculture sector. Under this objective, the digital skills improvement across stakeholders combined with a supportive digital agriculture ecosystem are expected to thrive and scale up during the implementation.
Technology
The establishment of interconnected and interoperable networks of e-government service-providing platforms and data infrastructure serves as an important goal to implement the policy. Specifically, several technologies are expected to assist in the efficient delivery and implementation of the three core objectives. Digital innovation hubs are seen as an anchor to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration where technologies such as AI, big data, and robotics can be further advanced. Similarly, climate-smart solutions will be developed within the hubs, serving as local access points for the delivery, experimentation, and demonstration of new technologies. These solutions include smart irrigation, remote sensing, digital pest and animal diseases, diagnostics, carbon and soil health monitoring, among others.
Target
The policy can be highly beneficial to the rural population and key agriculture actors in the country. Meanwhile, the private and public sector can derive advantages from the development, demonstration, and scaling-up of the technologies to assist the digital transformation. Lastly, academia and research institutions can work alongside extension agencies, the government and international organizations to integrate sustainability and digital agriculture into curricula, fostering fruitful knowledge exchange through workshops and e-learning.
Impact
The strategic roadmap will be beneficial in guiding the government of Kosovo in several ways. Firstly, the policy provides a multi-annual programme to productively drive the transformation of the agriculture digitalization sphere in the country. Similarly, the adjustment of information management systems can be properly aligned with the EU Common Agricultural Policy, which can assist as a solid foundation in establishing a Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture as well as extending digitalization services across key actors. Lastly, the policy roadmap can reduce administrative burdens while supporting the implementation of the e-government strategy in the country and improving digital skills and literacy among the rural population. Overall, the policy can provide insights in data-driven policy making, monitoring of policy impact, and distributing knowledge and resources all over the country.
Partners
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Office of the Prime Minister; Ministry of Finance; Agency for Development of Agriculture; Agency for Information Society; Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary University of Prishtina; Faculty of Agribusiness University of “Haxhi Zeka” in Peja; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Office in Kosovo; UN Development Coordinator’s Office in Kosovo
Four Betters
Better production
Better nutrition
Better environment
Better life
