According to a press release, Minister Florin Barbu chaired a working meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) to discuss the status of investment projects related to the Support Program for Swine Breeders for Reproduction Activity and the Support Program for Incubation in the Poultry Farming Sector.

In attendance with the minister were State Secretary Ion Găman, Secretary-General Mihai Puțintei, Deputy Director-General of the Animal Husbandry Policy Directorate Tinel Gheorghe, and experts from the specialized technical departments of MADR.

Representatives from the County Agriculture Directorates (DAJ) and beneficiaries of both support programs participated in the meeting, presenting the progress of investment projects and the difficulties encountered up to this point.

Minister Florin-Ionuț BARBU reassured those present of his and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's openness and support for clarifying technical aspects and removing any obstacles that may arise in achieving the goals of finalizing funding for the support programs in accordance with legislative requirements.

Furthermore, MADR's leadership emphasized the priority of stimulating pig and poultry reproduction to improve farm performance and sustainability, stabilize meat production, increase the income of pig and poultry breeders, ensure the supply of biological material for farm populations, and prevent depopulation of rural areas.

Minister Florin BARBU emphasized the importance of these programs for farmers and highlighted the significant role of the DAJ officials in their correct implementation. Their main responsibilities include providing support to farmers and closely monitoring the project implementation stages. In this regard, the minister emphasized the essential need for good collaboration between the county agricultural directorates and beneficiaries.

MADR's official expressed interest in conducting field visits to investment objectives in the near future to meet with beneficiaries, assess the on-site progress of projects, and find solutions for any potential obstacles that may arise during program implementation.

It should be noted that by December 31, 2022, funding contracts had been concluded, and there are currently 42 beneficiaries in the poultry sector and 28 beneficiaries in the swine breeding sector. The total value of state aid is 420,538,082.92 lei for the poultry sector and 1,071,395,204.02 lei for the swine sector.