Three new farmers’ markets will open around Malta and Gozo next year, similar to the one that opened at Ta’ Qali earlier this month.

The markets allow farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers at cheaper prices by cutting out middlemen.

Meanwhile, an agency to implement the reform of the Pitkali market is to be established.

Full-time farmers and breeders will see their social security contributions drop to 12 per cent: each farmer and breeder will pay an average €520 a year less in social security contributions.

A €400,000 fund has been allocated to breeders to soften the impact of rising wheat and cereal prices in international markets.

The agricultural sector has seen a transition from dependence on subsidies to sustainability. After financing some €100 million in aid for investments to render the sector sustainable over the past few years, the sector channelled about €40 million in investments in agricultural agencies this year.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.