Within October, the support amounting to 53,773,000 euros for the cost of animal feed throughout the country will be paid to eligible livestock farmers, as announced by the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Thanasis Kavadas, during the opening of the 3rd Agricultural Exhibition AGRE AMFI in Amfilochia.
According to the deputy minister, the relevant credit has already been signed by the General Accounting Office of the State. “In the coming days the Joint Ministerial Decision will be signed and the beneficiaries will be paid within October”, he stressed.
Mr. Kavadas referred to the support of livestock farmers who have been affected by animal diseases, while also underlining the need for the next day of Greek livestock farming to be linked with the modernization of holdings, biosecurity and the strengthening of competitiveness.
As regards sheep pox, he stated that 1,045 sheep and goats were culled in the area and eight livestock farmers have been compensated with 128,550 euros, while two more were paid the day before his speech. At the same time, payments have also been made for loss of income. He described as particularly important the fact that no new case has been recorded in the area since 8 September.
Regarding the reconstitution of livestock capital, he clarified that it will proceed when epidemiological data allow it and with the approval of the veterinary authorities. “Reconstitution is not enough merely to replace the animals that were lost”, he noted, adding that “it must lead to modern, licensed units that comply with biosecurity measures”. As he stated, the ministry is working on an overall Plan for the Recovery of Greek Livestock Farming.
Presenting the available investment tools, the deputy minister referred to the new Improvement Plans, amounting to 263.5 million euros, which finance the modernization of agricultural and livestock holdings, water saving, energy upgrading and new technologies. Applications begin on 6 October and are completed on 20 January 2027.
He also spoke about the three new financing tools of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fund, with public expenditure of 160 million euros, which can mobilize investments of 365 million euros. These are the Agri-food Sector Guarantee Fund, with a guarantee of up to 70% of the loan and an interest rate subsidy of up to 4% for four years, the Small Loans Fund for Agricultural Entrepreneurship II and, for the first time, a distinct financing tool for young farmers.
Especially for Aetolia-Acarnania, Mr. Kavadas pointed out that in the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2022, 62,740 beneficiaries were included, with a budget of almost 491 million euros. In the new Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), two rural road projects were approved for the Municipality of Amfilochia, with a total amount of 1.4 million euros, while in the regional unit four land improvement and irrigation projects continue, with a budget of 8.7 million euros. Within October, a call amounting to 2.2 million euros for small irrigation projects is also opening.
At the same time, in Aetolia-Acarnania, 10 Producer Groups have been included with support of approximately 2.1 million euros, while through LEADER resources of more than 10 million euros are available in the regional unit. As for the support of young farmers, in the previous programme 2,289 beneficiaries in the regional unit received 40.1 million euros, while in the new period 505 applications have already been submitted, amounting to 19 million euros.
He underlined the importance of livestock farming for the local economy, noting that Aetolia-Acarnania ranks first nationwide both in number of sheep and goats and in livestock holdings, with more than one million animals and over 7,600 active units. In Amfilochia alone, about 1,150 farms operate, with 150,000 sheep and goats, as well as many cattle farms.
“This means income for thousands of families, vibrant villages and an entire chain around milk, meat and cheese”, he said.
During his greeting, Mr. Kavadas conveyed the greetings of the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Margaritis Schinas, and pointed out that within three years AGRE AMFI has evolved into an institution for the area.
“The exhibition brings together producers, livestock farmers, cooperatives and processing and agri-food businesses and gives space both to tradition and to new technologies”, he stated, concluding “that is why the ministry supports it under its auspices”.
SOURCE: ANA-MPA