FAO and IADK present recommendations for the digitalization of agriculture in Kosovo

13.09.2025

July 6, 2022 – The digitalization of agriculture in Kosovo would help farmers Kosovars to improve market access and increase agricultural production, by simultaneously reducing environmental impact. According to a funded study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and implemented by the Initiative for the Development of Agriculture of Kosovo (IADK), around 67% of agricultural holdings consider investment in technology to be information and communication as important for the future.

However, about 96% of representatives of agricultural holdings declared that there is no program available in their area focused on businesses digital. Also, agricultural economies do not have access to financial resources to invest in new technologies (63%) as well as access to support and training (44%).

Furthermore, the research shows that women and youth face more the greatest challenges in agriculture and the aging of the farming population. Also, the majority of agricultural holdings are owned by men, while women have low participation in managerial positions in agricultural economies. Women They also face challenges accessing finances since ownership is in the name of men.

This research has used both quantitative and qualitative methods to identifying the needs and gaps for the use of digital technologies and non-digital in rural areas. More specifically, two surveys were conducted – one with 203 agricultural households and another with 52 stakeholders in agriculture digital. Additionally, two focus groups have been organized to collect information qualitative on this issue.

The FAO Coordinator in Kosovo, Naser Krasniqi said that the recommendations drawn from this research will show a a clear path to defining a clear strategic vision for agriculture digital in Kosovo. Meanwhile, Sophie Treinen, former Team Leader for Digital Agriculture at the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, reiterated that "FAO can not only provide support for the transformation digital agriculture in Kosovo by providing guidance for the development of a a strategic framework for digital agriculture, but also by capitalizing promising practices from the region and piloting digital villages in Kosovo."

The Deputy Minister of MBPZHR, Imri Demelezi, said that digitalization is a key part of the development of agriculture and expressed the commitment of To the Ministry for creating better conditions for the use of technology digital for farmers.

This commitment comes precisely at a time when research highlights that farmers in Kosovo lack soft skills, financial means, and the will to started using the most advanced digital tools. Therefore, as a priority measure It is recommended to create the basic conditions for digitalization through the development of capacities for farmers and public support for infrastructures digital; facilitating better data collection for the agriculture; investment in platforms that facilitate the movement of agricultural products by farmers to urban consumers; increasing access to credit for agricultural holdings; raising awareness about the benefits of digitalization in agriculture as well as cooperation among different parties in the sector, public, private, academia of civil society to implement programs related to digital agriculture, which also includes forestry and rural development.

The recommendations were discussed in working groups and, following comments from the participants, they will be finalized and sent from IADK to FAO and MAFRD. A group multilateral workers are expected to be formed later by the Ministry with the support of FAO to develop the strategy for Kosovo's digital agriculture.