site.btaAgriculture Ministry Progress Report on April 9 to August 26 Objectives

The Agriculture Ministry has advanced its key priorities, ensuring stability and the smooth operation of the agricultural sector, says a report published on the Agriculture Ministry’s website here on Friday. The report details the advancements made during the tenure of the first caretaker government under Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, spanning the period from April 9 to August 26, 2024. The report outlines that nearly BGN 1.63 billion were disbursed in the agricultural sector during the reporting period.

Direct Payments

The 2023 Direct Payments Campaign has been successfully completed. 99% of the budget for direct support under the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027 has been disbursed as of August 26, 2024.

Rural Development Programme (RDP) and the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027 (SPDARA 2023-2027)

296 administrative contracts have been signed, totalling approximately BGN 82.3 million in financial aid under RDP 2014-2020. The 17th proposal for amending the Programme has been submitted to the European Commission (EC), allowing for an increased budget for sub-measure 7.2, "Investments in creation, improvement or expansion of all types of small scale infrastructure." This amendment will support the execution of significant infrastructure projects in rural municipalities, including the reconstruction of streets and roads, and the enhancement of energy efficiency in administrative buildings, with a total value of EUR 29 million.

State Aid

Seventeen active state aid schemes were implemented throughout the reporting period. These initiatives targeted risk and crisis management, they provided compensation for damage caused by natural disasters or adverse weather conditions, and also addressed plant and animal diseases. They also ensured the use of high-quality seed material in crop production, optimized the production process for quality agricultural products, facilitated participation in exhibitions of both primary and processed agricultural products, and offered tax relief.

The report also outlines the initiatives implemented to mitigate the adverse economic effects of Russian aggression against Ukraine. These initiatives include two crisis measures for state aid, the allocation of funds for the initial tranche of both measures, and efforts to secure additional financial resources for the State Fund Agriculture (SFA) to facilitate the disbursement of the second tranche.

More than 50,000 farmers from the crop and livestock sectors received support during the period, with financial resources exceeding BGN 450 million.

Disaster Risk Management and Adverse Climate Events

The report sets out measures taken to address the impact of fire and hail on farmers. It also says that in July, the Agriculture Ministry established a Disaster Response Centre to improve disaster response efforts, crisis management, and emergency planning.