03/13/2009 Bulgarian Farmers get BGN 577 million in direct payments
Agro businesses get BGN 577m in direct payments
Bulgaria’s crop farmers received BGN 577 million inside three months in direct payments for 2008 following calls to be subsidised before the start of the spring sowing to meet costs. After numerous protests by stockbreeders and grain producers, the Agriculture fund paid out in four tranches to 62,000 farmers. The last portion of BGN 165 million is due in producers’ bank accounts within days. By yesterday the payment agency had received 5,104 projects under the rural development programme under all 15 measures announced. The agency consented 1,529 proposals for upgrades worth 260 million. It paid out BGN 21 million to young farmers to start or renovate or buy equipment.
| 
