Bulgaria's Deputy Agriculture Minister Boasts about Great Interest in Rural Development OP

Bulgaria's Deputy Agriculture Minister Vasil Grudev has reported a great interest in the 2014-2020 edition of the EU operational program Rural Development.

In a Sunday interview for the Bulgarian National Radio Grudev informed that a total of 2400 projects worth BGN 1.1 B had been submitted under the program since April 14.

He noted that although the large number of applications was a good sign, the administration would have to sift through the schemes as the total budget of the program (EUR 300 M in EU funding and around BGN 600 M in national co-financing) would suffice to finance around half of the projects submitted.

Grudev made clear that the measure envisaging support for young farmers would be opened in end-June, adding that it would have a budget of EUR 35 M, and that the priority sectors were livestock farming, fruit and vegetable production, and organic farming.

He said that by 2020 priority treatment would be given to projects in the sphere of livestock farming, organic farming, and fruit and vegetable production.