site.btaNational Beekeeping Programme Reports 70 Per Cent Absorption in 2017

Sofia, February 8 (BTA) - The first year of the implementation of the National Beekeeping Programme for 2017-2019 ended with 70 per cent absorption of the funds, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry said in a press release on Thursday. This is the fourth three-year national programme with a budget amounting to 4,758,663 leva.

Subsidies of 3,253,260 leva (70 per cent absorption rate) have been paid, 50 per cent of the sum coming from the national budget and 50 per cent from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund.

For the first time, the Programme funds partial purchase of technical equipment at primary collection and processing of honey.

The measure related to mobile beekeeping was also launched for the first time.

The largest number of applications for financial support in all the years covered by the Programme (2008-2017) were also submitted in 2017. This shows the increasing interest of beekeepers in the measures and support activities. A total of 1,882 contracts for funding have been concluded as a result of the applications, and under 1,627 contracts (86 per cent) the investments have been completed and the payment claims have been submitted.