By the end of this week, nearly 80% of compensation for frost damage to fruit trees will be paid to agricultural producers, according to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Ivan Kapitanov. Speaking at a meeting with growers from the region, he said: "Nearly 1,900 applications will be paid for the first group – cherries, sour cherries, and apricots."
Kapitanov explained that checks on the remaining applications will continue until September 19, as some files lack the complete data required for assessment. The commission will review applications in stages without waiting for large batches. He added that applications will be processed within a week, and support will be given to producers whose orchards are in good agrotechnical condition by the end of September.
"For the first time within the year, we are making payments in such a huge volume – 32 million leva (US$17.7 million), and to such a large number of areas and beneficiaries within the same calendar year," said Kapitanov. He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture is working to ensure payments reach farmers as quickly as possible.
He also stated that an order has been issued for the second group of crops, which includes plums, peaches, nectarines, and almonds. Applications for these crops are pending a decision by the Management Board of the State Fund "Agriculture."
Source: akmu