The Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) by September 28 paid 67 million lei subsidies based on about 700 applications submitted in July-August. AIPA director Nicolae Ciubuc told a news conference that another 1,500 applications filed in August-September are being examined, IPN reports.

The subsidization fund for 2017 totals 900 million lei, 340 million lei of which was used to clear the debts to farmers for 2016, while 30 million lei represents the state’s contribution to the National Vine and Wine Fund. “The process of accepting applications for subsides for 2017 started this July and since then, during three months, the AIPA received over 2,200 applications from agricultural producers, to the total value of over 300 million lei,” stated Nicolae Ciubuc.

He also said that 230 million lei more is to be distributed to agricultural producers by October 31, when it is the deadline for the submission of applications. Nicolae Ciubuc voiced hope that 2017 will be the first year when the state will have no debts to agricultural producers.

Most of the farmers apply for subsidies for purchasing agricultural machinery, for developing the post-harvesting and harvesting infrastructure and for paying interest on the raised loans.