The Ministry of Agriculture (MAA) will propose to recognise agriculture and food policy as one of the most important areas of Lithuania's internal national security policy.

„Once recognised as a sector of strategic importance for national security, it is likely that agricultural funding (especially direct payments) will become a special priority for Lithuania on equal terms within the European Union“, – reads the Ministry's draft plan for the implementation of the Government programme. 

The ministry will propose to amend the Law on National Security Framework accordingly. 

According to the draft, the goal is to achieve this goal by the second quarter of 2026, and once achieved, agricultural and food companies and institutions would be guaranteed uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas, and would receive the necessary resources on a priority basis in case of critical disruptions, interruptions or failures. 

Food security is one of the main priorities of the European Union and its Member States, according to the Ministry.

„ Nevertheless, even taking into account the current geopolitical situation, Lithuania's agricultural and food policy has not yet been recognised as one of the most important provisions of Lithuania's domestic policy for ensuring national security, although food security and the uninterrupted supply of essential foodstuffs to the population in crisis situations are as important as national defence,“, – the draft states. 

Lithuania's self-sufficiency in fruit in 2023 was 18%, pork 43%, vegetables 63%, potatoes 83% and poultry 93%, while the supply of all other products exceeded 100%, according to the document.

Agricultural and food exports accounted for 20% of Lithuania's total exports in 2023.