Portuguese Agriculture Minister José Manuel Fernandes has committed to accelerating the implementation of various EU programs aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector. This pledge comes amid criticism from opposition parties regarding the government’s management of the ongoing bluetongue epidemic.
During a recent debate on the government’s proposal for the 2025 state budget, Minister Fernandes outlined the government’s strategy to enhance the implementation of EU funds. He stated that the government is focused on simplifying processes and ensuring that farmers receive payments on time, which he believes will foster stability and confidence in the agricultural sector.
Fernandes highlighted the reprogramming of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC), stating that the primary objective is to boost farmers’ income and encourage generational renewal within the industry. The proposed state budget includes an annual contribution of €60 million until 2029, which is expected to raise the average farmer’s income from €81.7 per hectare to €126, marking an increase of over 50%.
In a significant move to support young farmers, the minister announced that they will now receive €50,000, representing a 100% increase in financial assistance. This initiative aims to attract new talent to the agricultural sector and ensure its sustainability in the long term.
Fernandes pointed out that the current government is committed to executing funds that were not utilized by previous administrations. He noted that between 2016 and 2023, the annual investment executed was €222.5 million, while the projected execution for the period from 2024 to 2029 is set at €246.3 million.
The minister also mentioned that the government has received €668 million from the Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2020, which must be implemented by 2025, along with an additional €400 million. This totals over €1 billion from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) that the government aims to implement within the next year and a half.