The branch organization of grain producers has officially proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the allocation of financial resources in the Strategic Plan for Rural Development for the period 2023-2027.
The main idea of NAZ is to reserve 20 percent of the budget for each investment intake specifically for farms outside the so-called priority areas. The goal is to ensure faster and more real access to financing for a wider range of agricultural producers.
Statistics from the State Fund "Agriculture" confirm that over 20 percent of the initially allocated budget actually reach non-priority productions. Nevertheless, the current system poses significant obstacles to equal application opportunities.
Agricultural producers outside the priority sectors currently receive investment support with significant delays. This creates additional challenges in the context of a dynamic market, rising production costs, and changing climate conditions.
NAZ's analysis reveals that over 138 million leva, originally intended for priority productions, remained unused during the past programming period. The money is subsequently redistributed, but this happens years later when the market situation is already different.
The Chairman of the Management Board, Iliya Prodanov, emphasized the need for a new approach. In his interview, it was highlighted that the sector is experiencing an investment stagnation and needs mechanisms that guarantee more balanced development.
The Association insists that innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and adaptation to climate change should be equally accessible to all agricultural producers. According to them, timely financing is a key factor for the overall development of the agricultural sector.
Prodanov also shared a personal perspective, expressing hope that the current challenges are temporary. "We expect a recovery period to follow after a few difficult years," he said, emphasizing the need to renew agricultural machinery and infrastructure.
NAZ's proposal aims to achieve a more equitable financing model that does not isolate any sector and creates conditions for sustainable development of Bulgarian agriculture.