Kurti announces five new dams: agriculture must not rely on subsidies alone

Kosovo’s government aims to build five new dams and expand investment in irrigation, processing and storage of agricultural products, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today in a speech at the 22nd European Rural Development Network conference, held in Mitrovica.

Kurti called for farmer support to drive production and quality. “Let us move from support based mainly on area and headcount toward a system that drives production, quality, productivity and competitiveness,” he said, as KosovaPress reports.

According to the prime minister, investment in water, soil health and processing capacity will enable farmers to add value to their products, with the aim of reducing exports of unprocessed products and imports of finished ones.

He also mentioned protecting farmland, supporting young farmers and empowering women in rural areas. Food security, he said, requires greater domestic production capacity, especially after supply disruptions during the pandemic and the wars.

“For Kosovo, rural development is of particular importance. We have fertile land, natural resources, an agricultural tradition and human potential. But we also face difficulties, from structural challenges to climate change,” Kurti said.

Speaking about Kosovo’s path toward the European Union, he said the EU’s multiannual budget for 2028–2034 would affect preparations by farmers and institutions in candidate countries. The conference was organised by the International Business College Mitrovica and the European Rural Development Network, represented by president Pawel Chmielinski.