THE AGRICULTURAL Payment Agency (PPA) has already decided on about 10 percent of subsidy requests by farmers. In total, the PPA plans to pay out some Sk10.5 billion to farmers, most in the form of a flat subsidy for farm areas and contributions for disadvantaged areas and areas with environmental limitations, the Hospodárske noviny daily wrote.
"Sk4.8 billion will be allocated for flat subsidies according to farm area, Sk2.2 billion for crops on arable land, and Sk441 million for a special payment for sugar producers," said Agriculture Minister Miroslav Jureňa, adding that tobacco growers would get Sk112.2 million in total, hop growers Sk2.7 million, dairy cattle breeders Sk120 million and breeders of sheep and goats Sk171 million. The remaining Sk3.1 million will go to disadvantaged areas.
The Agriculture Ministry plans to satisfy 90 percent of all applicants for subsidies by the end of December.
