Kosovo Agricultural Growth and Rural Opportunities Activity: Fiscal Year 2018 Work Plan

The overall objective of the 60-month AGRO Activity is to achieve maximum impact in the agricultural sector, resulting in expanded sales of Kosovo food products, increased farmer income, and new job opportunities. The program focuses on supporting strategic partners (SPs) working in targeted value chains to aggregate, process, pack, and market products grown by Kosovo's producers. Technical support through SPs has developed several value chains to a high level, including raspberries, peppers, gherkins and cucumbers, and larger-scale medicinal and aromatic plants (Macro MAPS). These value chains are now generating significant sales revenues for all actors in the value chain and are at the right stage for SPs to be supported through national associations. During the first two years of the AGRO Activity, support to strategic partners progressed well through grant support and the provision of technical advice. These SPs continue to grow, develop contractual relationships with growers, aggregate, process, and pack for sale. This is an excellent foundation for sustainability in these value chains. In the remaining 2.5 years of the AGRO project, the focus will be on higher-level interventions through national associations for the four value chains of raspberry, vegetables (especially gherkins and cucumbers and peppers), and Macro MAPS. These associations will develop member services critical to ensuring sustainable development of their respective industries. Expanding associations still tend to lack an industry-wide vision and the leadership skills needed to foster a cohesive sense of purpose among members and to inspire holistic industry development. The dairy value chain will continue to receive modest support through its national association with one subcontract designed to improve consumer demand for local fermented products. The AGRO Activity will also focus on supporting the development of agricultural support services, environmental compliance, and agrojob career centers. Additionally, the program will address gender, minority, and youth issues, as well as provide opportunities for CVE (Countering Violent Extremism). The Annual Work Plan presented here covers FY 2018, which is the third full year of operation of the Activity. The plan represents the continuation of the AGRO Activity's efforts to develop a more competitive agricultural sector in Kosovo. The program's focus on supporting strategic partners and national associations will help to ensure the sustainability of the value chains and the growth of the agricultural sector in Kosovo. The AGRO Activity will also focus on the development of value chains, including fruit, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants, dairy, and pumpkins. The program will provide technical assistance and grants to farmers, enterprises, and other organizations in targeted value chains. The overall objective of the AGRO Activity is to achieve maximum impact in the agricultural sector, resulting in expanded sales of Kosovo food products, increased farmer income, and new job opportunities. The program's work plan is structured around the following value chains: fruit, including apples and pears, table grapes, strawberries, raspberries, sour cherries, and blueberries; vegetables, including peppers and tomatoes, gherkins and cucumbers, lettuce, and asparagus; medicinal and aromatic plants; dairy; and pumpkins. The AGRO Activity will also focus on cross-cutting issues, including agricultural support services, environmental compliance, and agrojob career centers. The program's budget for FY 2018 is allocated across the various value chains and objectives. The budget includes funding for technical assistance, grants, and other activities necessary to achieve the program's objectives. The AGRO Activity will also provide support to national associations and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the value chains and the growth of the agricultural sector in Kosovo. Overall, the AGRO Activity's FY 2018 Work Plan represents the continuation of the program's efforts to develop a more competitive agricultural sector in Kosovo. The program's focus on supporting strategic partners and national associations will help to ensure the sustainability of the value chains and the growth of the agricultural sector in Kosovo.