May 11, 2018 - Young Montenegrin farmers who have fulfilled the criteria of the “Public call for starting a business of young farmers” within the Agrobudget for 2018, have been granted supporting funds for starting agricultural production.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Montenegro and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Milutin Simović, has served 60 young farmers documented decisions of granting non-refundable support in the amount of 10 000 EUR. The president of the Petnjica municipality, Samir Agović, took part in the event, arguing that municipal governments should continuously support the agricultural production and business development.
Young farmers who have received support for starting an agricultural business come from Petnjica (14), Bijelo Polje (12), Nikšić (9), followed by Podgorica, Šavnik, Danilovgrad, Berane, Mojkovac, Rožaje, Bar, Andrijevica, Pljevlja, and Plav.
The supporting funds were granted exclusively to primary agricultural production for perennial plantations (fruit growing, viticulture, olive growing), perennial medicinal and aromatic herbs, vegetable production, livestock breeding (cattle breeding, sheep breeding, goat farming, pig farming, poultry farming) and beekeeping.
All applicants for the public call had to deliver business plans for their future projects along with an application. The amount of budgetary funds was a maximum of up to 10 000 EUR per approved business plan, and per one young farmer. Support will be paid in installments, depending on the dynamics carrying out the activities described in the business plan.
The documented decisions on the approval of business plans were necessary for the realization of the investment. All young farmers who have been granted the non-refundable support will be assigned a mentor employed by the Department of Counseling Services in Plant production or the Department of Animal husbandry Counseling Services. Mentors will be responsible for planning, monitoring, and supervising the implementation of the activities described in the business plan.
Mr. Simović is particularly pleased that the number of young people interested in these support programs is increasing: “This image sent today from Bijelo Polje, an image of 60 young farmers who have fulfilled the conditions of the public call, clearly sends a message to all of Montenegro that these young people are the key force of all villages and Montenegrin agriculture. The non-refundable support in the amount of 10 000 EUR will enable young farmers to start their own business. I am convinced that with their enthusiasm and desire to continue to work on the properties that their fathers and grandfathers left them, and with the help of the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development they will make their farms more productive and prove that the country people can live in excellent conditions.”
