Albania’s Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation Programme Reaches Key Milestones

Tirana, 29 July 2025 – Senior officials from the Government of Albania, the United Nations, and development partners gathered today at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the second Steering Committee meeting of the Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation (DART) programme. The meeting reviewed the programme’s progress to date and endorsed the priorities for its next phase.

Co-chaired by Ms. Anila Denaj, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Ms. Randi Davis, Acting UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, the session reaffirmed a shared commitment to bring digital innovation to Albania’s agriculture sector and to reduce inequalities between rural and urban areas.

“This programme is transforming how we think about agriculture and rural development. We are not only investing in technology, but in people—farmers, youth, and public servants—who will lead Albania’s digital transition in line with the vision of Agriculture 2030,” said Minister Denaj.

Jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the DART programme supports the development of digital tools, services, and skills to improve agricultural productivity, service delivery, and rural employment opportunities—particularly in line with EU integration goals.

Key Takeaways from the Meeting:

• Progress on the Digital Agriculture Strategy: The Steering Committee reviewed advancements in Albania’s new Digital Agriculture Strategy, including the activation of working groups made up of government, academia, private sector, and civil society experts. A national survey covering over 800 farmers across 9 regions and an in-depth policy analysis are shaping a strategy aligned with Albania’s planning standards and EU requirements.
• Upgrading the Farmers’ Portal: Participants discussed the redesign of the national Farmers’ Portal, based on user research and feedback. New features will include access to market prices, e-learning modules, and advisory services tailored to farmers’ needs.
• Building Digital Skills: Plans were shared for collaboration with TVET schools and vocational training centers to improve digital literacy and career pathways for young people in agriculture, despite infrastructure and capacity gaps in rural education settings.
• Workplan and Budget Integration: The Committee endorsed the DART 2025 workplan, and the Ministry of Agriculture expressed its commitment to integrating digital agriculture priorities into the 2026–2029 Medium-Term Budget Programme.
• Institutional Ownership: The Committee endorsed the Terms of Reference for DART’s working groups, which will co-design the Strategy and Farmers’ Portal. The Ministry committed to proactively formalizing and engaging these groups.

“The digital transformation of rural Albania requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort. Through this Joint Programme, we are aligning UN expertise with national ambition to ensure no farmer is left behind,” said Ms. Randi Davis, Acting UN Resident Coordinator.

“To succeed, we need co-designed solutions that are evidence-based and accessible,” added Ms. Lorena Pullumbi, Assistant FAO Representative in Albania. “We welcome stronger engagement from institutions such as the Agricultural University of Tirana, municipalities, and local advisory services and look forward to reinforcing dialogue with the EU Delegation, whose role is key in anchoring this work within Albania’s EU accession framework.”

FAO’s Dr. Francelino Rodrigues and National Project Coordinator Ms. Arsita Mati shared technical updates and acknowledged the role of national institutions like SASPAC, ARDA, and the Agency for Excellence and Innovation in driving implementation at both national and local levels.

Cross-Government and UN Collaboration

The meeting was held in hybrid format, with participation from multiple ministries—including the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MECI) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE)—as well as regional UN offices and field teams. The European Union Delegation was also represented, highlighting the importance of closer synergies between programme implementation and EU approximation processes.

In the coming months, the programme will focus on:

• Rolling out interinstitutional working groups to guide strategy development;
• Advancing the Farmers’ Portal through roadmap finalization, co-design sessions, and development team recruitment;
• Enhancing training programmes in digital agriculture for youth and professionals;
• Strengthening coordination with local governments and municipalities, which play a vital role in bringing digital tools closer to rural communities.

About the Programme

The “Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation” (DART) is a three-year (2024–2027) programme funded by the Joint SDG Fund’s Digital Transformation Window through contributions from the European Union, Sweden, and Spain. Led by FAO with ILO, ITU, and Albania’s Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, it aims to develop a national digital agriculture strategy aligned with EU standards, enhance digital public services via the Albanian Farmers’ Portal, and build digital capacities among small-scale farmers, students, vocational schools, and public sector employees. Learn more.