Albania launches FAO-backed dialogue platform for sustainable agrifood systems

Albania has launched the Agrifood Systems Dialogue Platform to guide policy reform and investment in the country’s agrifood sector through evidence-based dialogue and multistakeholder collaboration. Developed with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the platform aims to support more coordinated, transparent and strategic decision-making as Albania advances its agrifood system transformation and European Union integration process.

The platform brings together government institutions, development partners and stakeholders to jointly assess challenges, identify priorities and align investments across the agrifood system, supporting a more resilient, productive and future-ready agrifood system.

At the heart of the dialogue is FAO’s agrifood system diagnostic, developed under the Analytical Support Mechanism for Agrifood System Country Programming and Evidence (SCOPE). The diagnostic provides a systemwide assessment of Albania’s agrifood system, examining how agriculture interacts with nutrition, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, resilience to climate shocks and economic growth.

The diagnostic highlights both opportunities and structural constraints within the sector. Strong growth in high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables and olives demonstrates potential for value addition, employment and exports. However, low labour productivity associated with land fragmentation, declining livestock numbers and rising environmental and climate pressures continue to shape sector performance.

Arjan Jaupllari, the Albania Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, noted that the country’s European Union accession process requires a shift from fragmented interventions towards coordinated, evidence-driven reform. He emphasized that the platform supports efforts to modernize the sector, raise competitiveness and ensure sustainability in line with European standards.

“Evidence such as the SCOPE diagnostic helps us move from opinion to informed investment decisions,” Jaupllari said.
Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in Albania, underlined the ongoing nature of the initiative.

“This platform is designed as a continuous process of dialogue rather than a one-time event,” Jehle said. “It provides a shared, credible evidence base to help national stakeholders identify trade-offs, align investments and strengthen policy coherence as Albania advances on its European Union integration path.”

While FAO is providing technical support and analytical expertise, leadership and ownership remain with national institutions.

The initiative was introduced through a national workshop organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, bringing together representatives from line ministries and public institutions responsible for agrifood, environment and finance policies.

Participants discussed and validated the diagnostic findings and identified priority areas for development interventions and multistakeholder collaboration. These include shifting towards more capital-intensive and value-added production, strengthening the livestock sector, raising quality and food safety standards, building climate resilience, and better linking agrifood systems to jobs, nutrition and sustainable rural livelihoods.

Lorena Pullumbi, Assistant FAO Representative in Albania, highlighted the importance of shared understanding and coordination.

“Evidence only becomes impactful when it is collectively owned,” she said. “This dialogue allows institutions and partners to align around common priorities and ensure that future programmes and investments respond to real systemic challenges.”

The platform is expected to inform future strategic planning and programming by the Government of Albania, FAO, the wider United Nations system and development partners, helping translate analysis into targeted actions that support competitiveness, resilience and inclusive growth.