Agency of Agriculture and Rural Development opened the call for applicationsfor Agriculture Support Program 2019 on April 23. General Director of ARDA, Frida Krifca during her speech, noticed the results of program of agricultural and rural development 2018, encouraging farmers and rural entrepreneurs to apply for national schemes 2019, backed by budget funds. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dhimitër Kote, deputies of Tirana district, representatives of local government, farmers and entrepreneurs of the area were present at the meeting held in Shën Gjergj.
Director of ARDA Frida Krifca said that today supportthrough direct funding is more tangible for farmers and agribusinesses. The increaseof government funding for rural sector through national programs and IPARD has increased interest for new applications. 790 farmers applied,during the first day which resulted three times more than the number of registrations in previous years for one day, for the new call of 2019. ARDA was fully engaged in 12 successive meetings, involving 12 country districts, informing farmers on application procedures throughout Albania, information on 20 new Agro-points focused on all districts, as well as simplified application procedures.
The government has approved the criteria on how to allocate 5 Million Euro subsidy fund approved in 2019 budget for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Nearly 4 Million Euro will be used mainly to increase the competitiveness of livestock and fishing products as well as reduce of production costs through payments of registered animals, milk delivery, shellfish and sardines fished, while some will go to supporting the diversification of economic activities in rural areas.
Other 1Million Euros will go as grants for the project “Sustainable Development of the Olive Sector” and will be used for the addition of olive-growing areas to improve mechanization and increase the production of olive oil.
This year farmers along with the fund from national schemes 2019 also receive funding from the IPARD II program, whose second call is expected to open in July.
Main criterion, in addition to identification documentsfor applicants,is to have an active farmer NIUS. Applications to benefit from these funds are carried out online in 20 agro-points, 16 Regional Agricultural Extension Agencies through the e-Albania platform, providing farmers with a quality, timely and without cost,effective services. This year milk delivery is viewed with high interest in livestock areas and farmers of these districts have rushed to apply for this scheme. The call will remain open from 23 April to 17 May for Investment Measures as well as 23 April to 10 May for Direct Measures.
