The International Labour Organization and the Agricultural University of Tirana (UBT) have completed a digital agriculture training for vocational education and training (VET) teachers and students from six agricultural and veterinary schools, strengthening skills for a more productive, innovative and sustainable agriculture sector.
A total of 27 teachers, including 12 women, and 194 students, including 75 women, participated in the training sessions, gaining practical knowledge and digital skills to support the adoption of innovative technologies in agriculture.
Implemented by the ILO through the DART (Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Albania) Programme, a Joint UN initiative by the ILO, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Training Union (ITU), the training introduced participants to a range of emerging digital solutions and practices. These included smart farming approaches, digital herd books, livestock monitoring sensors, product traceability and food safety, smart irrigation systems, plant health monitoring, intelligent pest management tools, and entrepreneurship opportunities linked to digital agriculture.
"Food safety has always been a topic of discussion in our classrooms. Through the support provided to us through these tools and training, we are now better equipped to further improve and ensure food safety while also meeting EU criteria. This is very important for us here in Albania," said an agriculture teacher from Korçë.
"These new tools have increased interest in the classroom. We now see the possibilities we have just by using our smartphones. We got to understand how other countries, which are much more advanced, are making use of digitalization. These opportunities are opening new horizons for us," said a second-year agriculture student from Cërrik.
Through its partnership with UBT, the DART Programme is bringing academic expertise and practical knowledge closer to future agricultural professionals, helping strengthen the capacity of VET institutions to respond to evolving labour market needs and technological developments in the sector.
By investing in skills development, strengthening cooperation among key stakeholders, and promoting demand-driven vocational education and training, the DART Programme is helping create new opportunities for young people and rural communities while supporting a more resilient and inclusive agricultural future in Albania.
