site.btaGovernment Continues to Support Tobacco Growers

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food supports the sustainable development of the tobacco sector, Deputy Minister Ivan Kapitanov said, as quoted by the ministry on Friday. Kapitanov was speaking at this year's first meeting of the Executive Committee of UNITAB, the European association of tobacco growers, which was held in Sofia.

He noted that in Bulgaria tobacco is produced in tough conditions, and government support is necessary to ensure economic sustainability in tobacco growing areas and to provide jobs. "The purpose is to guarantee the livelihood of these farmers," Kapitanov stressed, adding that transitional national aid for the 2023 campaign was disbursed on time.

Kapitanov commented: "The challenge is big, considering the changing environment and the past crises, which caused expenses to rise in the agricultural sector. We should implement policies that help our farmers earn extra income."

The National Tobacco Growers' Association is working for a united tobacco sector and protects the rights of its members, the deputy minister said.