Tajikistan adopts programme for the digitalization of the agricultural sector with FAO support
11/07/2025
The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has officially adopted its Programme for the digitalization of the agricultural sector for 2025–2030, marking...
Strengthening legal pathways to land and property rights for Kosovan rural women
01/07/2025
Advancing gender equality and ensuring equitable access to land and property for rural women is essential for sustainable rural development. To promote...
Tajikistan hosts workshop to promote gender-transformative approaches in fisheries and aquaculture
26/06/2025
Women across Central Asia and the Caucasus play a critical role in fisheries and aquaculture value chains. Typically, they are involved in pre- and...
Using the power of youth to revive rural areas
11/06/2025
To identify and discuss obstacles and opportunities of rural youth in Europe and Central Asia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations...
LANDNET workshop to discuss good practices on land consolidation success in Europe and around the world
28/05/2025
In many countries of the Europe and Central Asia region, the majority of smallholder farmers own fragmented land parcels that are difficult to farm...
New digital technologies boost beekeeping for smallholder farmers and family beekeepers
20/05/2025
Today on World Bee Day, we all have an opportunity – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned private citizens...
Sowing the seeds of change: Montenegro modernizes smallholder feed production one experiment at a time
19/05/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), is ready to provide Montenegro with...
North Macedonia steps up efforts to digitalize agriculture
06/05/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of...
Securing land rights with just a few clicks
28/04/2025
Just a few years ago, registering of land or changes in property rights, such as an inheritance or a purchase, was a time-consuming and often costly...
FAO support to Tajikistan’s cooperatives and rural development improves agricultural productivity
17/04/2025
Within its ongoing efforts to strengthen Tajikistan's agricultural sector, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has successfully...
From farmers to government officials — everyone benefits from a digital land cadastre
15/04/2025
In 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) began supporting the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and its Land...
Innovative farming in Tajikistan
03/04/2025
In the Khatlon region of Tajikistan, farming of cotton, wheat and other crops has long been the backbone of rural livelihoods. Safarmad Gadoev, a farmer...
Twinning for digital agriculture
21/03/2025
As part of the Digital Villages Initiative (DVI), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has facilitated a twinning study...
Moldovan farmers receive critical support amid drought, economic crisis
03/03/2025
Over the past two years, Moldovan farmers have faced a devastating drought, economic hardship and the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine, jeopardizing...
FAO, Republic of Moldova join forces to better train and support farmers
28/02/2025
The agriculture sector in the Republic of Moldova, a cornerstone of the national economy, faces many diverse challenges. The Food and Agriculture...
Gender inequality in rural Georgia: challenges and pathways for parity in agrifood systems
19/02/2025
Rural women in Georgia make important contributions across the spectrum of activities in agrifood systems, working in food production, processing...
FAO and the European Union provide grants of up to USD150 000 to support aggregation models in berry and vegetable production
17/02/2025
On 17 February 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the support of the European Union (EU) and in close collaboration...
The skills that saved one Georgian woman’s life
12/02/2025
Nino Kavtaradze’s skills and experience processing fruits and making cheeses provided her with income for vital cancer treatment and equipped her to...
State-of-the-art grapevine pruning online video courses are now available in Georgian
31/01/2025
Georgian viticulturalists can now gain in-depth knowledge on winter and green pruning in vineyards by accessing online technical video courses. The...
This Regional Priority Programme uses a complex, multidisciplinary and area-based development approach, tailored to the Europe and Central Asia region. It takes into consideration the region’s heterogeneity and the special challenges it faces.
The overall goal is to address the key problems of rural people by empowering smallholders and family farms to improve their livelihoods. Elimination of rural poverty, improving the resilience of rural populations (with a focus on smallholders) and inclusive growth for rural economies based on sustainable use of natural resources are the basic principles of the Priority Programme.
The work focuses equally on technical issues (animal health, production, phytosanitary and so forth) and social, economic and environmental aspects. Inclusiveness – with respect to gender and vulnerable groups, for example – is also a key principle.
The Priority Programme tackles two main areas: (1) policy, institutions and governance, and (2) farms and communities. Priority actions include strengthening governance and policies, building capacities, enhancing participatory approaches, supporting small holders in sustainable production technologies, supporting land consolidation processes, income diversification, and improving smallholder access to markets, rural finance and value chains.
The Priority Programme aims to achieve the following results:
- Increased participation of farmers and rural communities in national development;
- Enhanced sustainable and inclusive growth of rural economies;
- Improved sustainable management of natural resources.
Activities are in the following areas:
- sustainable management of agricultural land and water resources;
- intensification of smallholders’ production in a sustainable manner;
- strengthening the organizations of small producers and family farms;
- enhancing rural services – such as advisory services and micro-loans.
Results are foreseen mainly in:
- increased participation of farmers and rural communities in national development;
- enhanced sustainable and inclusive growth of rural economies;
- improved sustainable management of natural resources;
- dissemination of sustainable agricultural best practices;
- strengthened governance to support producers and resource managers;
- enhanced and equitable access by smallholders to productive resources, services, organizations and markets;
- development of inclusive and efficient agribusinesses and agrifood chains.
Events
24/6
2022
Regional Dialogue on the United Nations Decade of Family Farming
Hybrid Event, 24/06/2022
9:00 – 13:00 CEST In the framework of the 2nd Regional Workshop on integrated community development, FAO is organizing a regional dialogue on the United Nations Decade of Family Farming in Europe and Central Asia in a hybrid modality. The aim of the eve
14/9
2022
Leveraging the potential of multi-purpose land consolidation in Eastern Europe
Hybrid Event, 14/09/2022
FAO and the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) are organizing a joint sessions during the 2022 FIG Congress with a special focus on the potential for multi-purpose land consolidation in countries of Eastern Europe. The objective of the session
Publications
- Improving social protection for rural populations in Europe and Central Asia
- What gender mainstreaming means in practice - Cases from selected countries of the European Union
- FAO Regional gender strategy for Europe and Central Asia, 2019-2022
- Smallholders and family farms in Europe and Central Asia series
- Impact report - Syrian refugee and Turkish host communities
- Fact sheet of the Initiative
Links
- UN Decade of Family Farming
- Family Farming Knowledge Platform
- Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe
Contact
Morten Hartvigsen
Land Tenure Officer
H-1054 Budapest
Hungary
Tel: +36 1 4612 250
Sustainable Development Goals
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