New fund to promote innovation in agriculture

Farmers and herdsmen will soon be able to tap into new funding to invest in new technology, promote their produce and conserve endemic genetic resources.

The Rural Affairs Ministry yesterday announced a new round of funding, to the tune of €8 million, as part of the Rural Development prog­ramme, which runs till 2013.

The announcement was made by Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino at a pig farm in Żebbuġ.

The purpose of the programme is to strengthen the rural sector and ensure its sustainability while addressing shortcomings within the sector.

Around €101 million in funds, co-financed by the EU, have been made available since 2007 – €61 million have already been allocated to 8,313 beneficiaries.

The new round of funding consists of four measures, each targetted at different aspects of agriculture.

The first measure, worth €4 million, aims to aid agricultural businesses wishing to invest in new technology, innovations in production methods, and diver­sification of their produce.

The second aims to help farmers organise activities and information campaigns to let the public know about locally grown produce.

The third, which is being issued for the first time and is worth €2.5 million, is intended to support the conservation of endemic genetic resources related to agriculture.

The fourth facilitates setting up producers’ organisations, which would improve effeciency in the sector.

While being shown around the farm’s facilities, which boasts a small wind turbine, Minister Pullicino explained how farms benefitted from the measures in the past by being able to buy new machinery and improve animal welfare through better infrastructure and hygiene. Preference will be given to projects that involve renewable energy.

Applications may be submitted between Monday and December 2, at Front Office, Payments Agency, Pitkali Markets, Ta’ Qali, or at the Experimental Farm in Xewkija, Gozo.

For more information call 2590 4209.