RDP2020. FARMERS MAY APPLY UNTIL OCTOBER 15

A program of the EU that supports expansion and renewal of the agro-industrial productive structures. 

Farmers of the continent can apply for supports to investment in the processing and commercialization of products until October 15, in the framework of the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2020.

According to the information available on the program page, support is granted in the form of a non-repayable subside for eligible investments up to one million euros per beneficiary and under a repayable subvention to those who exceeded this amount or up to 10 million euros.

Applications must promote the "expansion and renewal of the agro-industrial productive structure" in order to enhance value creation, innovation, quality and food safety as well as preserve the environment, "ensuring the compatibility of the investments with environmental and hygiene and safety at work standards”. The support is intended for investments in the conservation and commercialization or processing of agricultural products, whose eligible amount is more than 200 000 euros and less than or equal to 4 million euros of total investment "excluding working capital requirements”. There are also considered the products with a total eligible investment of more than 200 000 euros, "when developed on farms where the raw material is mainly sourced from the holding itself" or when developed by "recognized producer groups or organizations".

This support also includes investments resulting in a final product which contributes to the development of production or the added value of the agricultural production. "It is only accepted one application per beneficiary, correctly formalized and accompanied by all the required documents", you may read in the notice signed by the manager of RDP 2020, Gabriela Freitas. Although, the respective investments can’t be connected, for example, to the wine and olive oil sector. Applications must be submitted through the Portugal 2020 program portal or the RDP2020 website.