Fund "Agriculture" releases 40 million leva for young farmers

Projects must be submitted between August 20 and September 11, 2012

From 20 August to 11 September this year Fund "Agriculture" opens intake for young farmers` projects , connected with additional resources for rural areas.

The total financial resource is 40 million leva and is destined to such kind of projects. The funds were reallocated from funds a program for which the European Commission gave the authorization of Bulgaria.

In the present application farmers have to meet the new minimum, instead 2 ESU (economical units) their farms must have 4 ESU, which means that the program will finance larger farms.

Applicants must also demonstrate the right to use the entire land, including ownership documents, lease or rental, explained by the experts.

Another requirement for the farmers is to prepare a business plan for 5 years.

Upon request priority will be given to projects of farmers with secondary or higher education in agriculture, veterinary medicine or agricultural economics or at least to those who have a certificate for completion of 150-hour course in agronomy or other veterinary activities specified by the department.

Activities in the livestock sector and projects for organic production will also be among the favorites for funding. Applicants who intend to benefit from financial support under measure 214 "Agri-environmental payments." will be encouraged.

A plus for the applicants will be if the project is going to be developed in regions like Blagoevgrad, Varna, Gabrovo, Kardjali Lovech, Razgrad, Silistra, Smolyan, Sofia and Pernik.

The latter reception was completed in 2009 and so far 4045 contracts for over 196 million leva have been concluded.