The authorities call on the farmers to invest in the area where they work and urge them to insure the land and the crops against hail and frost so as to avoid sustaining damage. The subject was discussed in a meeting of Minister of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Liviu Volconovici with agricultural producers from Causeni district, IPN reports, with reference to the Ministry of Agriculture.

In another development, the minister said that the amount of subsidies provided to farmers this year is by 120 million lei higher than in 2017. The young farmers and female farmers will be favored in the subsidization process and will get payments in advance. The process was initiated this year. “We are ready to offer all the support you need,” stated Liviu Volconovici.

To inform the agricultural producers about the subsidization principles and methods, including early subsidization, officials of the Ministry and of the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture are weekly holding working meeting in districts. Visits were made to 14 districts where discussions were held with 700 farmers.

In connection with early subsidization, the Ministry also held consultations on the draft regulations concerning payments in advance for start-up projects for young farmers and female farmers. By the end of April, the regulations are to be approved by the Cabinet.

Attending the meeting, director of the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture Nicolae Ciubuc said the campaign to accept applications for financing from the National Agriculture and Rural Development Fund was launched in February. So far the Agency received 400 applications to the value of 40 million lei, while based on 200 applications there were signed authorizations for payments to the value of 15 million lei.

The National Agriculture and Rural Development Fund for 2018 totals 900 million lei. 18 million lei is intended for administering the fund, 28.8 million lei is the state contribution to the National Vine and Wine Fund, while 667.2 million lei will be offered as subsidies to farmers.

After discussing with farmers, the minister visited the wine factory in Salcuta village of Causeni district, which got 2 million lei through the ENPARD program for purchasing modern equipment.