Gjakova, November 25, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Faton Peci, participated today in the inauguration of the commencement of works on the project for the modernization and improvement of the Radoniqi-Dukagjini irrigation system. The project is valued at 9.15 million euros and is funded by the European Commission and implemented by the World Bank.
This project is evidence of the solid relationship with our partners, as during our governance alone, the value of support in the agriculture sector from international partnerships is 51 million euros, said the Prime Minister.
“To invest in the rehabilitation and modernization of irrigation structures means enabling 11,750 hectares of agricultural land to increase water management efficiency. “Simultaneously, through this project, the Dukagjini irrigation system, which is currently out of use, will be operationalized,” the Prime Minister further stated in his speech.
He emphasized that in the 2025 budget approved in the Assembly last week, 90 million euros are allocated for the agricultural sector, and together with projects funded by international partners, this figure exceeds the value of 100 million euros. This is the second consecutive year that agriculture will have an annual budget of over 100 million euros.
In addition to the deserved budget for agriculture, the Prime Minister highlighted that we have simplified bureaucratic procedures for farmers and agriculturists in the application process for support programs, and as a result, we have happy and satisfied farmers. Thanks to their work and our support, last year the total area of cultivated land increased by nearly 50% compared to 2019, the first pre-pandemic year.
The Head of Cooperation of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Johannes Madsenn Steinbaek, speaking on behalf of the EU Office in Kosovo, stated that this project is important for both Kosovo and the European Union, as it addresses some of the main challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Kosovo.
Full Speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Faton Peci,
Honorable Head of Cooperation of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Mr. Johannes Madsen Steinbaek,
Honorable Deputy Manager of the World Bank for Kosovo, Ms. Jane Millicent–Sprouser,
Honorable Member of Parliament in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Agon Batusha
Honored attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
I am pleased to be among you today. We are jointly inaugurating the start of works through the project/grant financed by the European Commission and executed by the World Bank to enhance and rehabilitate irrigation systems in Kosovo, with a value of 9.15 million euros.
This project is evidence and a result of the strong relationship with our partners, as only during our governance, in the agricultural sector, the value of support from international partnerships is 51 million euros.
Investing in the rehabilitation and modernization of irrigation structures means enabling 11,750 hectares of agricultural land to increase water management efficiency. Simultaneously, this project will enable the functioning of the Dukagjini irrigation system, which is currently not in operation.
Alongside investments of this nature, during our governance, around 120,000 farmers have benefited from grants and subsidies amounting to 300 million euros. For the first time, we have subsidized spring fertilization and fuel with a value of approximately 52.7 million euros.
In the 2025 budget that we approved in the Assembly last week, we have allocated 90 million euros for the field of agriculture, and together with projects funded by international partners, this figure exceeds 100 million euros. This is the second consecutive year that agriculture will have an annual budget of over 100 million euros, just as we have pledged.
In addition to the deserving budget for agriculture, we have simplified the bureaucratic procedures in the application process for support programs for farmers and agriculturists. As a result, we have happy and satisfied farmers, and thanks to their work and our support, last year the total area of cultivated land increased by nearly 50% compared to the first pre-pandemic year, which was 2019.
As the Minister of Agriculture says, for the bread on our table from our bountiful land.
Thank you for the prompt and excellent work.
Last modified: November 26, 2024