The 2024 Agricultural Business Fund has been refinanced with a total of 47 million euros to support Italian farms, improve competitiveness and face economic and climate difficulties. This guide explains in detail what the fund is, how it works and who can access the planned aid.
What is the 2024 Agricultural Business Fund?
The Agricultural Business Fund is a government initiative that aims to support the agricultural sector, helping businesses to overcome economic, environmental or market crises. This is funding and incentives aimed at promoting the sustainability and competitiveness of Italian farms
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The objectives of the fund are:
•Offer financial aid to maintain and improve the activities of agricultural businesses.
•Encourage the production of Italian excellence in the agricultural sector.
•Promote sustainable agricultural practices that are resilient to environmental challenges.
•Promote the adoption of new technologies and production efficiency.
The fund is periodically updated and refinanced according to the needs of the sector. For 2024, it was increased by a further 15 million euros, bringing the total available to 47 million euros
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What does the 2024 Agricultural Enterprise Fund finance?
The Fund supports a series of interventions aimed at the agricultural, fishing and aquaculture supply chains. Key resource destinations include:
• Support for the pear and kiwi supply chain: Over 15 million euros are allocated to these productions.
• Aid for fishing and aquaculture businesses: 10 million euros are allocated to contain the effects of the economic crisis caused by the proliferation of the blue crab.
• Aid for IGP sheep and goat farms: 2 million euros are allocated.
• Support for PDO and PGI productions: 25 million euros are planned to promote and defend internationally recognized Italian productions.
• Support for cereal supply chains: Including producers of durum wheat and other products in the cereal supply chain.
Who is the Agricultural Business Fund aimed at?
The Fund is aimed at various operators in the agricultural and fishing sector, including:
• Agricultural businesses: Operating in the fruit, cereal and similar supply chains.
• Fishing and aquaculture businesses.
• Consortia and cooperatives: That support agricultural, fishing or aquaculture production, especially in managing economic crises related to environmental and market difficulties.
How does the 2024 Agricultural Business Fund work?
The Fund operates as a financial support system, helping Italian farms to cope with difficulties. Every year, through implementing decrees, the criteria for accessing funding are established
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Every initiative funded by the Fund requires a specific decree that defines the requirements and methods of accessing aid. Companies can apply for non-repayable contributions or concessional loans, depending on the project and specific needs
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How to Apply
Companies interested in obtaining aid from the 2024 Agricultural Business Fund will have to wait for the issuance of the implementing decrees for each specific measure. Applications will be managed through calls and regulations published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF). The methods of access, terms and requirements will be detailed in the respective calls.