The Agriculture Directorate plays a central role in shaping and sustaining the agricultural sector through data-driven decision-making, policy development, regulatory oversight, and project implementation. Its work ensures that farming practices remain compliant with national and EU standards while promoting innovation, sustainability, and resilience across the industry within the broader role of the Rural Affairs Department. The Directorate operates through four main pillars: AgriData, AgriPolicy, AgriInspect, and AgriProjects, each contributing to a comprehensive framework for agricultural governance and support.

AgriData collects, manages, and securely handles agricultural information. It oversees farmer registries, land parcel databases, and implements the annual Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN). The annual FSDN project gathers comprehensive information on farm accountancy, farming practices, environmental impacts, and sustainability indicators to help inform future strategies and improve resource management. AgriData also classifies holdings according to the Categorisation of Farmers Regulation (S.L. 639.10), enabling effective benchmarking and comparison across various types of agricultural holdings, contributing to greater transparency and continuous improvement in the sector.

In order to fulfil market transparency obligations, data is also collected in relation to poultry products, milk, cereals, oilseeds and oilseed meals.

In addition, AgriData is responsible for the registration of agricultural land, ensuring that all land parcels are accurately recorded and maintained within its databases. This registration process supports regulatory compliance and transparent land management throughout the sector. For further details on agricultural land registration are available on artagrikola.gov.mt

AgriPolicy is dedicated to shaping positions and advising on horizontal policies that advance the agricultural sector in Malta. The Directorate actively consults with stakeholders, ensuring their perspectives inform the development and continuous improvement of national agricultural priorities. Its responsibilities include aligning agriculture with broader economic and environmental policies, providing expert input on relevant issues, and working on both the creation and revision of sectoral policies. AgriPolicy is also actively involved in the reviewing of ongoing EU proposals to ensure that emerging European strategies, policies and legislations are thoroughly assessed in relation to the specific needs of the local Agricultural Sector. Currently, AgriPolicy is focused on formulating the new national agricultural policy and overseeing the review of the nitrates regulation, reflecting its commitment to a dynamic, responsive policy framework for Malta’s agriculture sector.

AgriInspect prioritises the implementation of the Nitrates Action Plan, carrying out rigorous inspections to ensure compliance with the Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (S.L. 549.66), particularly in relation to responsible fertiliser use and safeguarding water quality. A key area of its work is the protection of agricultural land, with inspections enforcing the Protection of Agricultural Land Regulations (S.L. 639.13) to prevent the misuse or degradation of valuable farmland. The unit is also responsible for issuing permits related to the movement of soil, ensuring that any soil relocation activities are conducted in line with regulatory requirements to prevent loss of fertile land, illegal dumping, or environmental harm. In addition, AgriInspect is responsible for conducting inspections on a range of agricultural matters, supporting the sector’s adherence to national and EU standards. The unit also undertakes duties related to regulatory enforcement proceedings. Furthermore, AgriInspect is tasked with the recognition of producer organisations, ensuring that these groups meet the necessary legal and operational criteria to be formally acknowledged, thereby strengthening collective action and representation within the agricultural sector.

AgriProjects drives outreach and innovation through targeted initiatives and EU-supported schemes. Key programmes include the School Fruit Scheme and Let’s Talk Farming which promotes healthy eating among children; agricultural roadshows that bring information and services closer to farmers. Additionally, the Directorate supports the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), encouraging research, knowledge transfer, and collaboration to strengthen the sector’s resilience and competitiveness.