A farmer who has returned to Lithuania from abroad encourages others to learn from his experience
After leaving as a manager in England, Audrius Meseckas returned to Suwalki four years ago and took up the long-matured idea of growing blueberries. Even for him, a slightly unplanned farm in Stirniškės village (Vilkaviškis district) was established again, when a herd of fallow deer settled there. The farmer makes no secret of the fact that the European Union’s support has led to the introduction of cultivation and urges other small farmers not to miss out and take advantage of it now.
Small farmers will be able to submit applications under the Lithuanian Rural Development Program 2014–2020 (RDP) measure “Economic and Business Development” in the activity area “Support for Small Farms” from 1 March. until March 31. Up to 15 thousand can be allocated per farmer. Eur benefit.
For the first support received – a tractor and 11 daniels
A. Meseckas started thinking about growing blueberries back in 2014. In order to earn the investment needed for the farm, the young man then went to Denmark and England for 4 years. “I worked in agriculture abroad, so I gained not only money, but also experience. Gallop 2017 After rising to the position of manager in greenhouses, I was no longer interested in staying for another season, so I chose to return to Lithuania and start farming, ”says the farmer.
At that time, A. Meseckas, who was not even in his 30s, decided to start not only a berry business, but to immediately create a mixed farm, and not quite the usual one.
“I saw the cows disappear in the village, so I was looking for something more interesting and profitable,” the farmer recalls. “While driving around Lithuanian farms, daniels were mainly interested in, and their care was minimal compared to other animals.”
A. Meseckas twice used the support under the RDP assistance “Support for small farms”. For the first time, the farmer bought the first 11 fallow deer, tractors for orchard maintenance and fodder production, and blueberry seedlings for the payment received. In the second phase of support, investments were made in the processing of products.
“I bought a lyophilizer, a deep-freeze refrigerator, a minibus with cooling equipment and building materials for the renovation of the farm building. Now I can sell not only fresh berries, but also to process them – freeze-dried, ie, lyophilize, as well as make juice, we try to find dried and delicious – pastilles – recipes. Without the support received, the processing of berries would have been much further plans, ”admits the Deer people.
The farmer is pleased that the payments received allowed him to immediately create a larger efficiency farm, starting with larger volumes. “We should not be afraid to take advantage of this opportunity, because with the support it is possible to become a significantly competitive farm, the income from which would significantly contribute to the family budget,” blueberry bushes.
Who can get support
This year, the order of the Minister of Agriculture was a little the implementing rules for the measure have been amended.
An important change is for those creating a mixed farm, which is now described as a farm whose income from the implementation of a business plan comes from more than one agricultural sector and whose income from one agricultural sector does not exceed 50%. total operating income. Correspondingly, if more than 50% is / will be obtained from at least one agricultural sector. income, such a farm is / will be specially specialized.
It is relevant that a new requirement and obligation has arisen for the registration and use of investments – at present it is necessary not only to fully pay for the investment provided in the business plan, deliver it to the farm, but also register it in public registers (if registered) and use the business plan. The business plan will not be considered implemented if the planned investments are not used in the activities of the farm during the implementation of the business plan.
Attention should also be paid to the clarification requirements – it is stipulated that investments must be used, it is also specified that investments are made in other sectors (not dairy cattle), investments must be related to another (non-dairy) agricultural sector.
Applications – electronically only
Applications to the NPA this year must be submitted electronically using the information system of the Ministry of Agriculture FISH. The documents submitted with the application must be in electronic form, ie paper documents scanned in PDF format.
In all cases, the application and the requested documents may be submitted no later than 24.00 on the last day of the call for proposals.
Important information about filling in the application for support for small farms, submitting it to the NMA and another applicant will be available in a live broadcast organized by the NMA, which will be announced in the “News” section of the NMA website as the application process approaches.
Small farmers will soon be invited to apply for support to develop and upgrade their farm. Applications under the Lithuanian Rural Development Program 2014–2020 (RDP) measure “Support for Small Farms” will be accepted separately from farmers engaged in dairy cattle breeding and those engaged in other agricultural activities.
WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS COLLECTED?
From March 1. until March 31.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Natural persons engaged in agricultural activities who have registered a holding and a farmer’s holding in their own name before the date of application and who declare crops and / or register livestock at least in the last year before the year of application and meet the criteria for small or very small enterprises are eligible for support. small business requirements.
WHAT SUPPORT CAN BE EXPECTED?
This year, 5 million will be allocated to small farmers engaged in dairy farming. EUR, for other agricultural activities – 15.66 million. Euros.
A small farm can receive a maximum of 15 thousand. Eur benefit. The implementation of the business plan submitted with the application must start within 9 months from the date of the decision to grant support.
WHERE TO APPLY?
This year, applications to the NPA must be submitted electronically using the Ministry of Agriculture’s information system ŽŪMIS. The documents submitted with the application must be in electronic form, ie paper documents scanned in PDF format.
MORE INFORMATION
www.nma.lt and zum.lrv.lt
Tel. (85) 252 6999 or 1841.
Order No. 33