Ministry of Agriculture and Food initiated a massive information campaign on the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 / RDP / which will be held at 28 regional centers throughout the country.Its start was given in Sofia. The campaign aims to raise awareness among farmers on the measures under the program. The necessity for the campaingn to be conducted conduct is due to several reasons, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Mrs. Svetlana Boyanova, pointing out that one of the important aims of the discussion-meetings is the beneficiaries under Measure 112 "Setting up of young farmers "to be aware and know that business plans already approved must be implemented in order not to return the money granted. During the meetings they will receive information regarding requirements for the implementation of those plans.
Deputy Minister Boyanova, informed that the most attractive measure, under which the budget is at 100% is Measure 121 "Modernization of agricultural holdings" in its part related to the purchase of agricultural machinery. Attention during the whole campaign will be entirely focused on utilization of the funds set for the guaranteed budgets under the program. Farmers will be informed about the opportunities and types of investments that will be supported under the "guaranteed budgets”. Deputy Minister Boyanova drew attention to the fact that by the end of 2011, farms of second and third category should be restructured to meet the Community standards for the milk sector, otherwise they will be closed. For the implementation of these projects in relation to the standards compliance, a credit of a refence rate will be granted by the State Fund "Agriculture" With projects under the “guaranteed budgets” of Measure 121can also participate owners of poultry and pig farms, who have to meet the European standards for animal welfare, too.
Special attention will be given to Measure 142 "Setting up of producer groups” Deputy Minister Boyanova, said the measure reveals opportunities for organizations from different branches in the agricultural sector to receive financial support under the program and to have greater access to Community markets.
For the better utilization of funds provided under measures of Axis 2 of the program, Deputy Minister Boyanova indicated that a focus will be put on the benefits of these measures.
For the first time this year, a project acceptance under Measure 213 “Payments under Natura 2000 for agricultural lands” will be launched.
Deputy Minister Boyanova said that contracted funds under the program so far amount to1,078,207,049. 00 euros, which is 33% of the general budget while disbursed funds worth 627,061,781.00 euros, or 19% of the total budget of the RDP