The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to smallholders and family farms, there has been a need to develop a better understanding and knowledge platform of the main challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the specific country context. Even though many of the challenges are the same throughout the region, there are still significant variations among the countries; it is important to recognize and understand these variations when designing support to smallholders and family farms in each specific country. It has been the objectives of the country studies first to analyze the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms in the specific country, second to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms, and finally, based on the conclusions made, to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of commercial family farms and at the same time ensure in general inclusive growth, improved rural livelihood for women and men and the reduction of rural poverty for all. It is hoped that each country study will not only be relevant for FAO but also for governments, donors and other international organizations when formulating policy and preparing programmes.

The farm structures in the countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are highly diverse, but in most of the countries are still largely dominated by smallholders and family farms. Supporting smallholders and family farms is one of four priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Europe and Central Asia, confirmed by the FAO Regional Conference in 2018. FAO established in the region in 2014 the Regional Initiative on Empowering Smallholders and Family Farms for Improved Rural Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction (Regional Initiative 1) as a programmatic umbrella for the implementation of support to smallholders and family farms in the programme countries in the region. During 2018-2019, FAO REU conducted country studies on the needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in eight countries of the region. Seven of these were funded from a regional project (TCP/RER/3601) and the Serbian study was financed from extra budgetary funds. The countries were selected from among those where smallholders and family farms dominate the farm structures and from the various sub-regions so that together they provide a regional overview. The countries covered in the report are Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and Tajikistan. The methodology was common among the eight country studies, although with some variations from country to country due to differences in national contexts. The eight studies were elaborated by national experts supported by international consultants and FAO technical guidance. The research methodology combines the use of desk research and statistics, interviews with key stakeholders, workshops with key stakeholders and decision makers, and the use of qualitative cases.

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to smallholders and family farms, there has been a need to develop a better understanding and knowledge platform of the main challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the specific country context. Even though many of the challenges are the same throughout the region, there are still significant variations among the countries; it is important to recognize and understand these variations when designing support to smallholders and family farms in each specific country. It has been the objectives of the country studies first to analyze the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms in the specific country, second to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms, and finally, based on the conclusions made, to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of commercial family farms and at the same time ensure in general inclusive growth, improved rural livelihood for women and men and the reduction of rural poverty for all. It is hoped that each country study will not only be relevant for FAO but also for governments, donors and other international organizations when formulating policy and preparing programmes.

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to smallholders and family farms, there has been a need to develop a better understanding and knowledge platform of the main challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the specific country context. Even though many of the challenges are the same throughout the region, there are still significant variations among the countries; it is important to recognize and understand these variations when designing support to smallholders and family farms in each specific country. It has been the objectives of the country studies first to analyze the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms in the specific country, second to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms, and finally, based on the conclusions made, to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of commercial family farms and at the same time ensure in general inclusive growth, improved rural livelihood for women and men and the reduction of rural poverty for all. It is hoped that each country study will not only be relevant for FAO but also for governments, donors and other international organizations when formulating policy and preparing programmes.

This country study is an important output of the regional FAO project on Empowering Smallholders and Family Farms. This report aims to analyse the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms in the country and to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms. Ultimately, based on the conclusions made, the aim of the report is to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of commercial family farms in Georgia and at the same time ensure, in general, inclusive growth, improved rural livelihoods, and reduction of rural poverty.

Smallholders and family farms are among the most widespread forms of agriculture in the world. Their appearance in the countries of Europe and Central Asia is connected with the transition to a market economy and the adoption of land reforms in the early 1990s, which led to the widespread emergence of smallholders and family farms formed on the basis of large state collective farms. After almost three decades at the beginning of the first phase of land reforms, smallholders and family farms still face considerable difficulties in doing business in the agricultural sector. Smallholders and family farms, as one of the forms of dehkan farms, are new economic actors in the recent history of the Republic of Tajikistan. However, at this moment there is no single agreed-upon definition of smallholders in Tajikistan, and there are no clear indicators for the definitions of both smallholders and family farms. The current situation, with the absence of a clear and shared conceptual apparatus, causes differences in approach to the definition of these farms applied by different stakeholders. One of the main objectives of this research is to identify the needs, challenges and constraints that affect the economic, social and environmental state of the dehkan farms and their development, as well as to develop conclusions and relevant recommendations. It should be noted that these needs, challenges and constraints are largely interweaved and interrelated with each other, which makes it difficult to determine the specific cause-and-effect relationship.

The background for conducting country studies on the challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in seven countries has been a wish to further strengthen the Regional Initiative and develop the initiative towards a stronger programmatic approach at both the regional and country levels. To provide support to smallholders and family farms, there has been a need to develop a better understanding and knowledge platform of the main challenges, needs and constraints of smallholders and family farms in the specific country context. Even though many of the challenges are the same throughout the region, there are still significant variations among the countries; it is important to recognize and understand these variations when designing support to smallholders and family farms in each specific country. It has been the objectives of the country studies first to analyze the development trend and current state of smallholders and family farms in the specific country, second to study the current political priorities and policies affecting smallholders and family farms, and finally, based on the conclusions made, to provide recommendations, mainly at the policy level, on how to further support the development of commercial family farms and at the same time ensure in general inclusive growth, improved rural livelihood for women and men and the reduction of rural poverty for all. It is hoped that each country study will not only be relevant for FAO but also for governments, donors and other international organizations when formulating policy and preparing programmes.

National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods: the Republic of Moldova reflects FAO’s commitment to promoting gender equality, while integrating a gender perspective into its operations. The report focuses on the intersections of gender, agriculture and rural development, and presents a snapshot of critical gender-based inequalities and their consequences for agricultural production and rural livelihoods in the Republic of Moldova. A picture of significant gender gaps in terms of the rural population’s access to educational and employment opportunities and social services is presented. In the area of agricultural production, women have much more limited access to and control over vital resources, including land, extension and advisory services and irrigation. The assessment includes recommendations on enhancing agriculture and developing rural communities with a gender-sensitive perspective, taking into consideration gender roles and differences between women and men in access to productive resources, inputs and information.

Smallholders play an important role in agriculture and in rural areas in the countries in South Europe and Central Asia. Furthermore, the countries are still largely dominated by smallholders. Supporting smallholders is one of four priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Europe and Central Asia. As such, during 2018-2019, FAO REU conducted country studies on the needs and constraints of smallholders in eight countries of the region1. A Regional Synthesis Report was prepared based on these studies. The generic needs, constraints and challenges for smallholders were outlined, and policy recommendations were generated.

Half of the Moldovan population lives in rural areas. However, the rural employment rate is only 39 percent. Income from agricultural activities is low compared to other sectors of the economy. This evaluation seeks to contribute to organization-wide learning by drawing lessons and making recommendations that will be useful for FAO’s future engagement in Moldova. FAO provided highly specialized technical expertise to formulate strategies, policies and frameworks, and offer innovative approaches and solutions. Likewise, the evaluation found evidence of results leading to livelihood improvements, empowerment, and adoption of more sustainable practices and technologies. Nevertheless, FAO should further strive to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. In doing so, FAO should use the knowledge generated to refine programmes in consultation with key partners towards effective and sustainable results.