The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through the Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR), has published the final version of the Applicant’s Guide for intervention DR-19 – Non-productive investments at farm level, in preparation for the launch of the funding application submission session under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027.

The intervention aims to support farmers in establishing natural protective shelterbelts and improving the management of natural resources at farm level. The financial allocation exceeds €11.7 million and could support approximately 60 projects nationwide.

“The funding granted for protective shelterbelts is extremely useful for the sustainable development of agricultural holdings, especially for field crops, which are directly exposed to the effects of climate change. The intervention contributes to combating unfavorable climatic factors, improving water management, and conserving soil and biodiversity,” stated Adrian Chesnoiu, Director General of AFIR.

The support provided through DR-19 is 100% non-repayable and can reach up to a maximum of €200,000 per beneficiary, depending on the eligible costs of the project.

Eligible beneficiaries include individual farmers and associative forms such as research and development institutes, agricultural cooperatives, agricultural companies, producer groups and organizations, autonomous administrations, or other associative forms of land ownership. In their case, projects must be submitted in their own name and implemented on land owned or used by them.

The funded investments target the establishment of natural protective shelterbelts for agricultural crops, including orchards and vineyards, the completion of vegetation gaps in the following years, as well as the acquisition of technologies, patents, and licenses necessary for project implementation. General costs directly related to the investments are also eligible, within a limit of 5% of the project’s eligible value.

Those interested can consult the Applicant’s Guide and the related annexes on the official AFIR website, www.afir.ro, in the Financing – DR-19 Intervention section.