A call for tenders aimed at supporting organic farming has been published

By: STA Date: 2024. 10. 24. 09:00

A new five-year support program for organic farming will start in 2025. Farmers can submit their applications between November 25, 2024 and December 23, 2024.

(Photo: Pixabay)

In the current cycle of agricultural subsidies, producers who choose organic farming will receive greater benefits than ever before within the framework of agricultural subsidies co-financed by the European Union within the framework of the new Common Agricultural Policy Strategy Plan. The “Support for Organic Farming” call encourages the conversion and conversion of currently conventionally farmed areas to organic farming, as well as the maintenance of the farming method in areas already under organic farming, in the form of a non-refundable flat-rate subsidy. The annual amount of the subsidy varies by land use category, for example 1,801 euros/hectare in the case of intensive fruit plantations undergoing transition, while 225 euros/hectare in the case of lawns.

The grant program lasts for five years, starting on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2029

Within the framework of the KAP ST, the funds planned for the call are HUF 64 billion, the financing of the program extends beyond the current cycle of agricultural subsidies. Beneficiaries must undertake to farm in accordance with the requirements of ecological farming in their subsidized areas – be it arable land, lawns or plantations – during this time. Beneficiaries must be legal land users during the entire period of the commitment, which, however, does not have to be proven when submitting the application for the entire support period. Based on the proposals received during the socialization of the call for tenders, in cooperation with the professional organizations of organic farmers, a number of favorable changes in the terms and conditions of the support were made.

On the basis of the KAP Strategic Plan, in the numerous calls for tenders announced this year – such as the tenders supporting investments in animal husbandry and horticulture – those engaged in organic farming will have a significant advantage. On the one hand, those involved receive a 10% higher support intensity compared to the basic support, and on the other hand, they also gain significant extra points in the content evaluation system.

As part of the calls for support of ecological farming announced within the framework of the Rural Development Program, which are still ongoing, each year approx. 5,500 farmers could submit payment requests, and the beneficiaries could claim support for almost 275,000 hectares. In Hungary, in 2023, the size of the areas brought into organic farming – together with the transition areas – reached 320,000 hectares. Looking to the future, the support announced now can provide significant help in moving forward.