The "New Strategic Investment Plan" of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), amounting to 60 million euros, was presented on Tuesday afternoon by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, in an open consultation in Skarinou, calling on farmers to actively participate in co-shaping its priorities.
A statement from the Ministry of Agriculture states that "the new investment measure includes targeted measures that emphasize the protection of crops from extreme weather events, access to new technologies and smart agriculture, as well as strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of greenhouse farms."
"One of its key innovations is the simplification of licensing procedures, facilitating the implementation of investments in the primary sector," it adds.
According to the announcement, presenting the investment measure of the CAP Strategic Plan, before more than 200 attendees, Ms. Panagiotou stated that "today a substantive dialogue with the agricultural world is being opened."
"It is a dialogue that aims to shape the future of our primary sector, with your voice at the center," he said, adding that "from the very beginning we recognized that the financial tools we have at our disposal must be targeted, effective and, above all, respond to the real needs of our farmers."
He also mentioned that "for the first time, we are putting the Major Investment Program into broad consultation, not as a formal process, but as a substantial effort at co-formulation."
Dr. Panayiotou "recalled that the final preparation of the policy document was preceded by a first round of broad consultation with agricultural organizations and production sectors, in a process during which the new investment interventions of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 were shaped, which are presented today, not as final announcements, but as comprehensive drafts."
The goal, he continued, is "to discuss them in the context of an open dialogue with our farmers, so as to incorporate" their own contribution and constructive comments "before we shape the final documents of the announcements."
"We want your suggestions, opinions, priorities and needs so that the final framework is truly useful, functional and effective," he said.
The Minister of Agriculture described as "particularly encouraging the fact that in the context of the electronic consultation that began within the framework of the dialogue, some comments and suggestions have been collected, which reflects the interest and active participation" of farmers "in the formation of a support framework that responds to the real needs of the primary sector and the challenges faced by our farmers and livestock breeders."
He also recalled that "the Strategy for the development of the primary sector, which was approved by the Council of Ministers on October 2, 2024, was also the product of broad consultation."
The current announcement of the investment funds, Dr. Panayiotou added, "is fully compatible with the Strategy, as was the recent announcement of the small investment fund that ended on December 20, 2024 with very positive results since the interest of the rural community was particularly high."
In her presentation, the Minister of Agriculture also noted that "the major investment measure presented today includes a series of new elements, innovations and improvements, aiming to provide solutions with simplified procedures, clear rules and transparent allocation of resources."
He also explained that "the new investment program, among other things, gives priority to registered professional farmers and livestock breeders, provides for the easing of licensing requirements, while for the first time it allocates funds per priority with separate points, ensuring support for the most necessary investments."
He added that "special provision is being made for the rational use of water and the management of livestock waste, with the maximum aid reaching 800 thousand euros," while he additionally announced a special intervention of 7,5 million euros for young farmers.
Stating that "the new plan is a step forward for the primary sector," Dr. Panagiotou "called on farmers to actively participate in the consultation, which will remain open until February 28, 2025, in order to formulate the final announcements within the first half of 2025."
The announcement also notes that the Director General of the General Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andreas A. Grigoriou, "summarizing the discussion, expressed satisfaction with the productive dialogue and the suggestions submitted, which will be evaluated for the formulation of the final notices."
Source: KYPE
