Five per cent from national fund for development of agriculture, rural development to be annually allocated for start-up projects in Moldova

Chisinau, 11 October /MOLDPRES/ – Annually, at least 5 per cent of the total amount of the National Agricultural and Rural Development Fund (FNDAMR) will be earmarked for the financing of start-up projects, according to some Government amendments to be published in the Official Journal of Moldova on 12 October.

According to the document, the subsidy for insured farmers in agriculture grows from MDL 300 thousand to MDL 400 thousand, which is a unique ceiling for all farmers.

It will also increase the amount of financial support for the transition to organic farming – from MDL 1,500 to MDL 3,000 for the first year of conversion and from MDL 2,000 to MDL 3,500 for the second year. For the first time, beekeepers will be paid MDL 300 per bee family during the transition to organic production.

Also, the agricultural producers which will obtain international certification of quality and food safety will benefit, in addition to the subsidy, of 50 per cent of the cost of the certificate, which would amount to maximum MDL 15,000. Another amendment provides for an increase in the amount of subsidies from 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the eligible investment cost for livestock farms for meat breeding.

At the same time, the amount of the subsidy granted to a farmer for three years will not exceed MDL 9 million, including a one-year break after three consecutive subsidy years. And farmers which practice conservative agriculture to receive financial support from the state will assume their commitment to continue their business for at least 5 years.

Similarly, starting 2019, farmers will be able to submit their online grant applications.

The document enters into force on the date of its publication.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)