Farmers, whose crops were affected by drought this summer could probably be compensated by a state aid scheme, said on Thursday the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) Daniel Botanoiu in a meeting with farmers and representatives of the institutions in Neamt County.
“At the ministry, we monitor very carefully the situation in the field. In order to support the farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, through the county agricultural departments, has requested from the municipalities data on the situation of crops and drought-affected areas. After tabulation and analysis, the agricultural departments will submit the report to the ministry. Later, we will find the best solution to support farmers affected by drought, most likely through a state aid scheme,” Botanoiu said.
Botanoiu also presented the opportunities for farmers through the National Rural Development Programme (PNDR) 2014-2020, in view of rebuilding the irrigation infrastructure.
According to a press release from the ministry, among the issues raised by the farmers present to discussions were the effects of the cutting off the milk quotas at EU level, pastoral planning, the incentives for investment in the livestock sector and in mountain areas and the effects of applying Law 145/2014 for establishing measures to regulate the agricultural products market.
The working meeting held in the county of Neamt, besides the MADR official, was attended by representatives of the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA), of the Funding Agency for Rural Investments (AFIR), of the National Agency for Zootechnics ‘Prof. Dr. G.K. Constantinescu’, of the Neamt County Department for Agriculture, along with over 200 vegetable and livestock producers.