Young farmers to receive financial help
PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea
26.03.2015 08:27
Polish Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki has announced that over two thousand young Polish farmers will receive leftover money from EU funds to help set up their own farms.
Photo: Flickr.com/Rick Payette
Some EUR 60 million has been left over from the 2007-2013 EU Rural Development Programme, which will be enough to provide grants to a further 2,400 young farmers.
The young farmers programme offers up to PLN 100,000 (EUR 25,000) per successful household, with the aim of encouraging independent agricultural activity and increasing competitiveness in the sector.
To be considered eligible, a farmer must be under 40 years old, and needs to have previous training in agriculture.
As part of the selection process, candidates must submit a business plan which demonstrates that at least 70 percent of the funds would be invested into an agricultural holding.
In addition, points will be awarded based on the experience of the applicant, the size of the holding and the unemployment rate in the commune where the holding is located.
A decision will be taken within 150 days of applying for the funds.
A total of PLN 2.1 billion (EUR 500 million) was paid out from the Rural Development Programme over 2007-2013. Including the latest recipients, a total of 34,500 farmers will have received some funding. (sl/rg)
Source: PAP