Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply Anton Refalo has participated in a joint meeting of the MED9 Agriculture Ministers held in Zadar, Croatia, where representatives from nine Mediterranean European Union countries gathered to discuss the future of the agricultural sector, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
The meeting focused on some of the key challenges facing Mediterranean agriculture, including generational renewal, knowledge-sharing, innovation, the revitalisation of rural areas, and demographic pressures affecting farming communities.
During the discussions, ministers highlighted the importance of encouraging more young people to enter the agricultural sector, both through the future framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and through additional national and regional initiatives.
The meeting also stressed the need for a more integrated approach linking agriculture with regional development, entrepreneurship, and demographic policies in order to strengthen rural communities.
Addressing the meeting, Refalo emphasised that generational renewal is essential to ensuring a sustainable future for Maltese agriculture.
He said that Malta faces particular challenges, including fragmented agricultural land and limited availability of land for farming, making flexibility in European measures crucial.
According to Refalo, EU agricultural policies must allow Member States to implement solutions that reflect their own national circumstances and realities, as challenges vary significantly between countries.
Malta also supported greater cooperation among MED9 countries through the exchange of experiences, expertise, and best practices.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the MED9 Agriculture Ministers adopted a Joint Declaration reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting generational renewal in agriculture, strengthening innovation, increasing cooperation among Mediterranean countries, and supporting more resilient and sustainable rural communities.
“Investing in young people, innovation and rural communities is a direct investment in the future of food security and our agricultural sector,” Refalo said.
“Through joint work within MED9, we can continue building a more sustainable, competitive and resilient agriculture sector for future generations,” he said.
The MED9 initiative brings together nine Mediterranean EU member states, providing a platform for cooperation on issues of common interest, including agriculture, climate challenges, economic development, and regional resilience
