Diverse calls for tenders help farmers

(Photo: AM)

Zsolt Feldman considers every step taken by farmers that contributes to the adaptation of their own farms to the changed climatic conditions to be of particular importance, whether it is changing soil cultivation practices in order to better maintain soil moisture, creating forest belts for a better microclimate, or even developing irrigation. The start of this year’s farming year is not easy either, as according to agro-meteorological data, the vast majority of the country’s territory has an average water deficit of 40-60 mm only in the upper 100 cm of the soil. The government is also helping producers in this area, and the supporting support schemes and resources are available to farmers. Of the total budget of almost 2,900 billion forints of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan, 2,300 billion forints are national co-financing and 600 billion forints are EU funds.

From the rural development framework, 32 calls for proposals were published by mid-February, totaling 1,260 billion forints

This year, 40 calls for proposals are expected to be announced, which are diverse: from a scheme to support the precision transition of agricultural holdings, through the development of agro-forestry systems, to the development of crop drying and cleaning capacities of arable crop growers. The tender scheme to support young farmers will arrive in 2025 with a budget of 79 billion forints. In addition, the supporting decisions that 20 thousand farmers are waiting for in the Agri-Environmental Management Programme will be made at the end of April or beginning of May, he informed. In his presentation, the State Secretary explained that there was a significant over-application for the investment tender schemes that have been closed so far and are now under review, with businesses submitting a total of nearly four times more support requests than the announced budget amounts. There was a huge need for development, especially in the areas of animal husbandry and food processing. Zsolt Feldman also said that the intensity of agricultural investment subsidies is usually 50 percent, while the remaining part typically has to be financed from self-funding, a typical form of which is borrowing. Farmers who have received support for investments will have the opportunity to apply for interest subsidies and guarantee fee subsidies for their related loans up to a maximum of 10 percent of the total investment cost. This can provide significant assistance for the implementation of development projects.

AM