Since taking responsibility for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, I have become increasingly convinced that modernisation is the only path towards a competitive and sustainable agricultural sector in our country.

The general direction of my Ministry's efforts in this respect is outlined in the National Agricultural Policy and Vision 2050. Additionally, Malta's Strategy for Resilient Food Systems, which has recently been issued for public consultation and will soon be adopted, further strengthens our commitment to long-term food security and sustainability. In parallel, work is also underway on the preparation of a comprehensive Fisheries Policy, aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of our marine resources and supporting the livelihood of our fishing communities.

The process of change required will impact the way that our farmers and fishermen operate and their livelihoods. It will also have broader implications that affect food security, consumers' health, the economy in general as well as the environment.

This modernisation can only be achieved through a changed mind-set among all the stakeholders in the agricultural and fisheries sector. Over these last years we have facilitated, supported and incentivised our farming and fisheries community to implement more advanced techniques and technologies in their operations. This is a necessity not only for our larger operators but also for smaller producers. Together, we have achieved satisfactory results, but there is still a lot more to be done.

Digitalisation plays a crucial role to enable this modernisation process. Digitalisation is a tool that enables farmers and fisherman to make best use of the limited resources they have available. It helps them to adjust their working methods, reducing, for example, the need for fertilisers, pesticides, water and fishing efforts.

My ministry has introduced digital tools such as ilbidwi.gov.mt for farmers and ixxerrej.gov.mt for buyers, facilitating real-time access to data on product availability, pricing, and sales. The Malta Food Agency has also launched a new digital platform to promote and support the direct sale of fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural products that bypass the Pitkalija. This platform is designed to enable direct sales from farms to end consumers, including groceries, catering establishments, and institutions such as private hospitals, elderly homes, and schools.

In the fisheries sector, we are pursuing a parallel digitalisation agenda. We have distributed tablets to fishermen to enhance real-time data collection and communication. Various administrative processes have been digitised, reducing bureaucracy and improving efficiency. Furthermore, we are currently developing a new Fisheries Information System (FIS) to modernise fisheries management, improve traceability, and support sustainability in line with national and EU obligations.

This new digital platform will benefit farmers by providing them with a tool that tracks market developments including changes in the supply chain and consumer preferences.

For the Malta Food Agency having more complete and reliable data on the type, volume, weight and value of agricultural products being sold on the local market will undoubtedly enable it to improve its decision and policy-making capacity.

The new digital platform will also enhance transparency and help create a more level playing field among farmers, whether they go through the Pitkalija or not. Government is extending the advantageous 3% sales tax on transactions that go through the Pitkalija to sales recorded on the digital platform.

The competitiveness and sustainability of local agriculture demands that the whole sector, and not just individual farmers, make best use of the limited resources available. One of the main concerns of the Ministry for Agriculture has been the availability and proper use of agricultural land. Malta's small size creates intensive competition for land use. Agriculture is a major land user, and the country cannot afford that land earmarked for agriculture is used for other purposes or, worse still, is left abandoned.

The Rizorsi Agrikoli Malta Agency has been entrusted with the responsibility to safeguard the best use of agricultural land by ensuring that it retains its purpose and is properly cultivated.

The agreement reached between the Rizorsi Agrikoli Malta Agency and the Lands Authority is a milestone in this respect.

Through this Agreement, the Lands Department will identify vacant government owned agricultural land that is abandoned or not used for its intended purpose or has returned to the Authority. This land will then be allocated through Rizorsi Agrikoli Malta to genuine farmers in an organised and equitable manner.  Young people who wish to take up farming as a career, and who do not have access to agricultural land, will be given priority.  However, established farmers who wish to expand their operations too are eligible to apply for this agricultural land.

The Rizorsi Agrikoli Malta Agency will be creating a registry of available agricultural land and will lease it out based on the regulations determining the fair price of agricultural land (199.02 of 2023).

This agreement confirms the commitment of my government to take concrete action to protect and facilitate the best use of the limited agricultural land available in Malta and Gozo.

The modernisation of the agricultural and fisheries sector will not only benefit consumers through a steady supply of fresh, high quality agricultural and fisheries produce but will also help develop a sustainable rural economy and the improvement of a rural way of life in a fair and balanced manner.

Anton Refalo is Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights,