The farmland that will not be cultivated during two years by owners will be transferred under the management of the local public authorities. The authorities will be able to lease this land out for a period of up to five years. The Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment drafted a law to amend the Land Code and proposed it for public debates, IPN reports.

The informative note to the bill says the massive privatization of farmland led to the appearance of many uncultivated plots and farmers, as a result, practice inefficient farming. The uncultivated land stimulates the appearance of more pests and farmers have to use chemicals and fertilizers to combat these. The initiative is designed to support the people who have farmland near uncultivated land. These will be able to request the local authorities to cultivate this land too.

Under the document, the owners of uncultivated farmland will be warned to take the necessary measures within three months. They should either cultivate the land or lease it out by themselves. If nothing is done, the local authorities will lease the land out for a period of five years.

It is suggested that the public authorities should deposit 70% of the rental into a special account. The rest will go to cover administrative costs. The owner of the farmland will be able to get back the land at any moment, by sending a relevant letter to the local authorities.

The Ministry, by amending the Land Code, suggests leasing out the uncultivated land with the aim of consolidating farmland. The lease will be signed for a period of up to five years and will be registered with the local mayor’s office. If the lease is signed for a longer period, of up to 30 years, the lease will be registered with the local cadastral office.