NEW SUBSIDIES FOR BULGARIAN FARMERS IN 2015

The budget for direct payments for farmers in 2015 is estimated to be BGN 1.4 B, as stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Desislava Taneva.

She made the announcement at a press conference and thus introduced the campaign for euro subsidies starting on March 1.

The new element this year is the fact that farmers willing to be recipients of the grant will need to have a minimum of 0.5 hectars of land as well as legal authorization to use it.

The term of contracting agreements for legal use of those lands will be extended to February 15 this year. Another implemented requirement is called ''active farmer'' - a person one third of whose income comes from farming activities, will be able to receive a subsidy.

Direct payments for the current year will be subdivided into six categories. The main one remains the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), with a budget of BGN 597 M. Apart from it, farmers will be able to receive direct ''green'' payments from a total budget of 464 million leva.

In order to qualify for them, they need to comply with three main requirements: to alterate their crops, to maintain at least 5% eco-oriented farmlands, and to maintain their grasslands in good condition without using them otherwise.

Following the Scheme for redistributive payments, totaling BGN 109 M, farmers will be able to get higher subsidies for the first 300 decars.

A total of BGN 7 M will be given out to young landowners, who will also be able to get additional 25% of subsidies from the SPS program, if they are under the age of forty. Additionally, small landowners will be able to participate in a scheme dedicated to their development only during 2015, while the money for it will be distributed until 2020 - from EUR 500 to 1250 per farmer.

It is important to note that if a person applies to this particular program, they will not be able to participate in any other program.

The scheme for consolidated direct payments is yet another option for 2015, implemented in support of the sectors of animal breeding, and fruits and vegetable growing. The planned budget for them is BGN 232 M, while BGN 31 M out of them will be dedicated to protein-rich crops, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, soy, broad beans, etc.

Animal breeders on the other hand will be subsidized with BGN 122 M to be distributed for dairy and meat production. Farmers growing fruits and vegetables will receive close to BGN 79 M and the scope of subsidized products is expanded this year to also include potatoes, melons, carrots, plums, sour cherries, table grapes, and many more.

The budget for direct payments for farmers in 2015 is estimated to be BGN 1.4 B, as stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Desislava Taneva.

She made the announcement at a press conference and thus introduced the campaign for euro subsidies starting on March 1.

The new element this year is the fact that farmers willing to be recipients of the grant will need to have a minimum of 0.5 hectars of land as well as legal authorization to use it.

The term of contracting agreements for legal use of those lands will be extended to February 15 this year. Another implemented requirement is called ''active farmer'' - a person one third of whose income comes from farming activities, will be able to receive a subsidy.

Direct payments for the current year will be subdivided into six categories. The main one remains the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), with a budget of BGN 597 M. Apart from it, farmers will be able to receive direct ''green'' payments from a total budget of 464 million leva.

In order to qualify for them, they need to comply with three main requirements: to alterate their crops, to maintain at least 5% eco-oriented farmlands, and to maintain their grasslands in good condition without using them otherwise.

Following the Scheme for redistributive payments, totaling BGN 109 M, farmers will be able to get higher subsidies for the first 300 decars.

A total of BGN 7 M will be given out to young landowners, who will also be able to get additional 25% of subsidies from the SPS program, if they are under the age of forty. Additionally, small landowners will be able to participate in a scheme dedicated to their development only during 2015, while the money for it will be distributed until 2020 - from EUR 500 to 1250 per farmer.

It is important to note that if a person applies to this particular program, they will not be able to participate in any other program.

The scheme for consolidated direct payments is yet another option for 2015, implemented in support of the sectors of animal breeding, and fruits and vegetable growing. The planned budget for them is BGN 232 M, while BGN 31 M out of them will be dedicated to protein-rich crops, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, soy, broad beans, etc.

Animal breeders on the other hand will be subsidized with BGN 122 M to be distributed for dairy and meat production. Farmers growing fruits and vegetables will receive close to BGN 79 M and the scope of subsidized products is expanded this year to also include potatoes, melons, carrots, plums, sour cherries, table grapes, and many more.