The United Nations launches the ambitious program on the digital and sustainable transformation of agriculture in Albania!
Albania and the United Nations launched today a joint innovation program that contributes to the digitization of agriculture to advance the objectives of sustainable development with systematic support and incentives aimed especially at small farmers.
"Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation" (DART) is a three-year program (2024-2027) funded by the Joint SDG Fund Digital Transformation Call with a total budget of USD 3.3 million, which aims to achieve its objectives by developing a strategy national digital agriculture and an action plan in accordance with the legal framework of the European Union. The program aims to improve the provision of digital public services through the Albanian Farmers' Portal, developing digital capacities among small farmers, students, schools and centers of technical-professional training and qualifications, as well as public sector employees.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads the implementation of the initiative in cooperation with its partners, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Anila Denaj, emphasized that DART will play a critical role in supporting Albania's EU membership process, improving compliance with EU standards and regulations, especially in agriculture and rural development. She emphasized that DART is fully in line with Albania's national strategies, such as the National Strategy for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries 2021-2027, the Digital Agenda 2022-2026 and the National Strategy for Gender Equality. Minister Denaj pointed out that digitization in agriculture is not only about technology; it's about systemic change.
"Through DART, we aim to use digital tools as catalysts to increase transparency, improve production efficiency, support regulatory compliance and save costs across the agricultural sector," she said.
Fiona McCluney, Permanent Coordinator of the UN in Albania, emphasized that the initiative is of great importance for Albania's agricultural future and the wider ambitions of the United Nations. She appreciated the constructive cooperation between the UN agencies in Albania with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania, the EU, Sweden and Spain as contributors to the Joint SDG Fund.
Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, said that the EU is happy to support this project, which is perfectly aligned with the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the accession process of Albania in the EU in the agricultural sector.
Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Albania, emphasized the role of FAO, together with ILO and ITU, in this initiative, saying that DART is part of a long journey of transformation. The joint program was drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania and the office of the UN Permanent Coordinator in Albania.
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