The Kosovo National Development Strategy 2016-2021 (NDS) is a multi sectoral strategy that aims to address key obstacles to development of Kosovo. The strategy is based on the principle that one of the key obstacles to sustainable economic development is the coordination of development policies and institutional processes, as identified by various national and international institutions. To make agriculture and forestry more productive and sustainable the strategy incorporates various measures such as support infrastructure interventions that will help decrease the cost of agriculture products, increase farm productivity and revenues, and facilitate the operations of agro- processing industries; rationalization of water use and increased production and distribution capacities that will ensure that growth of Kosovo’s industries and demand for water run in parallel with increase of water resources available. This means that business and citizens will enjoy regular supply of water; sustainable use of Kosovo forests that will prevent degradation of Kosovo’s forest and the resulting impact on ecosystem and allow steady and predictable supply for Kosovo’s industry; and sustainable waste management to prevent environmental impact from consumption waste and re-introduce it into industrial production, generating employment and decreased costs for production industries. To increase agricultural productivity the strategy foresees increase of irrigation system coverage to at least 40% of the arable land by 2021, increased number of storage facilities in main regions of Kosovo through public-private partnerships, increased number of laboratory units to test the quality of private produce of seeds and improved phytosanitary standards; increased farm size and improved farm structure, as well as increased processing capacities of food industries, such as: meat, dairy, fruit, vegetable and grapes; and strengthening of the information management system on agricultural farm and products registry. Concrete measures of sustainable forest management and use include forestation of stripped forest areas, recovery of fire-damaged forests and implementation of preventive protective measures through treatment with entomological substances, enforcement of tougher sanctions against illegal loggers which also includes better institutional setup, legal amendment and strengthening capacities of Kosovo Forest Agency, and development of forest management plans for at least 60% of the public forest areas by 2021. Increased agricultural productivity, economies of scale and innovation will translate into reduced costs for agro-processing industries and its growth thus resulting into more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. To help further in this regard, the strategy foresees interventions regarding the rational use and increase of capacities of water resources through infrastructure improvements especially in the expansion and increased efficiency of irrigation systems. Regarding governance and implementation Ministers and institutions responsible for NDS's priorities, shall develop clear guidelines for implementation of NDS objectives. Requirements for NDS monitoring will focus on targets and indicators. Upon adoption of NDS, the ministers responsible for achieving its objectives should present and discuss with the Strategic Planning Office (SPO) of the Prime Minister, a Guide which details the targeted steps for implementation of any measure and it shall cover the period of at least three to four years. SPO shall ensure that NDS is fully evaluated in the course of two years upon its approval and again at the end of its concluding year. The evaluations shall focus on the degree of attaining the planned and actual results and targets related to NDS high level indicators. Evaluation also shall consider the resources allocated for implementation as well as coherence of their expenditure related to measures and objectives defined by NDS.
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) · 2016-01-01