Associate Professor Reinhard Neugschwandtner from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, who has been in Tirana for several days as part of academic cooperation with the Agricultural University of Tirana, has shared reflections on the challenges and prospects of the agricultural sector in a time of major global changes.
According to him, agriculture is going through a very interesting period, influenced by climate change, the transformation of food systems, and new societal demands. These developments, although presenting challenges, simultaneously create new opportunities both for Albania and for other European countries.
He encouraged Albanian farmers to face these challenges by emphasizing the improvement of cultivation systems, the use of precision agriculture, and the growing importance of digitalization—known as Agriculture 4.0—especially for young farmers.
In his assessment, the Agricultural University of Tirana plays a key role in the development of the country’s agricultural sector, as the only university specialized in this field. He emphasized its importance in agriculture, forestry, and veterinary sciences, expressing optimism about the university’s contribution to the future of agricultural systems and Albanian society.
The professor praised the long-standing cooperation between the Agricultural University of Tirana and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, which has been significantly strengthened in recent years. This cooperation includes joint research projects, the exchange of academic staff and master’s and doctoral students, as well as a special focus on agronomy, crop production, forestry, and water and water-resource management.