Pristina, 3 July 2026
Honourable Acting Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Mr. Armend Muja,
Honourable Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Rainer Rudolf,
Honourable GIZ Country Director in Kosovo, Mr. Markus Delfs,
Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Government,
Honourable representatives of local and international institutions,
Dear beneficiaries,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today marks an important day for agriculture, the rural economy, and the Republic of Kosovo as a whole.
Today’s event is about much more than announcing the beneficiaries of an investment scheme. It demonstrates that when institutions operate with integrity, partnerships are built on trust, and there is a shared vision, the results are tangible.
For the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, agriculture is not merely a traditional sector; it is one of the main pillars of economic development and growth, food security, and the productive economy.
Every investment in our farmers and producers is an investment in a Kosovo that produces more, processes more, exports more, and creates more jobs.
For us, agriculture is also a matter of food sovereignty. Every farm that increases domestic production makes Kosovo more competitive, less dependent on imports, and better prepared for the economic challenges of the future.
The partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, through GIZ, has for more than two decades been one of the most important partnerships in the development of our agricultural sector.
This cooperation has supported investments, strengthened institutions, and advanced the development of modern policies in line with European Union standards.
A significant milestone was reached in 2023, when the Government of the Republic of Kosovo joined this programme as a co-financier. For the first time, our state was not only a beneficiary of international support, but also a co-investor in a programme of this scale. This marked an important step towards assuming greater responsibility for the country’s economic development.
Interest in this programme has been exceptionally high. More than 1,200 farmers and rural entrepreneurs applied, and following a transparent and competitive selection process, 643 beneficiaries have been selected: 556 under LOT 1, 65 under LOT 2, and 22 under LOT 3. These are not merely figures; they represent 643 investments in Kosovo’s economy, hundreds of businesses that will be modernized, new jobs that will be created, and families that will enjoy greater well-being and economic security.
For the first time in the history of the Republic of Kosovo, such a large number of beneficiaries of an investment scheme have been selected through a single process.
I am particularly proud that these investments extend across all municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo.
This is our model of development: equal opportunities for every region and development that reaches every municipality.
Around 35 per cent of the beneficiaries are women. The programme includes all officially recognized non-majority communities in the Republic of Kosovo, while a considerable number of beneficiaries are young people who see agriculture and rural entrepreneurship as a promising future for themselves.
Through this measure, support is being provided to sectors with high development potential, such as agritourism, the processing of agricultural products, honey production, the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, aquaculture, and other activities that generate greater added value.
Our objective is clear: to develop the agro-processing industry, enhance competitiveness, and create greater added value in our country.
This programme forms part of our broader reform aimed at modernizing agriculture and preparing our institutions for the management of the European Union’s rural development funds.
With the support of GIZ and the European Union, we are strengthening our institutional capacities to enable Kosovo to manage European Union funds in accordance with the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Embassy, and GIZ, which have for many years been trusted partners of the Republic of Kosovo.
Your support has contributed not only to the development of our agricultural sector, but also to strengthening our institutions and bringing Kosovo closer to the European Union.
Dear beneficiaries,
Today, the state is investing in you because it believes in your potential and commitment. We expect this trust to be reflected in quality investments, stronger businesses, new jobs, and success stories that will inspire others.
We have placed deserving farmers at the centre of our agricultural policies. During our nearly five years in government, direct financial support has exceeded EUR 350 million, benefiting approximately 150,000 recipients.
Agriculture, including forestry, hunting, and fishing to a lesser extent, is a highly important sector for the development of our Republic, as it accounts for 7.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo will continue to invest in production, innovation, and rural development, because we believe that a state is stronger when it produces more, creates greater added value, and ensures that economic development reaches every municipality and every family, without distinction.
Food safety is vital to the health of our citizens. To minimize the need for patient testing in hospitals, ideally eliminating it altogether, we need to carry out more and more testing of the food that is served to us.
Therefore, we will support you in standardization and certification. Quality and compliance with standards are the next driving force behind increasing exports, substituting imports, and enhancing European competitiveness.
The success of our farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs is also the success of the Republic of Kosovo.
Congratulations to all the participants. I wish you every success in implementing your investments.
Thank you for the invitation and for your attention.