Spain: Andalusia gives assistances for organizations of fruit and vegetable producers

The ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of the region has opened the call 2016 request for payment from the European financial aid to support the actions included in the operational programs of the Organizations of Fruit and Vegetables (OPFH) Andalusia . In 2015, this Ministry of Agriculture allocated 56.7 million euros for the implementation of operational programs of these entities.

Supports resolution published in the Official Gazette of the Andalusian (BOJA), includes three deadlines according to the concepts that are subsidized. For balance requests concerning operational programs implemented in 2015, the application period ends on February 15th. As for payments related to initiatives included in the operational programs in 2016, advances of part of the grant to anticipated expenditure not be presented in January, May and September on a quarterly basis; on the other hand, partial payments of aid corresponding to executed expenditures may be requested three times until 31 October this year.

Assistances that benefit the entire production chain

This aid, financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) are awarded for the implementation of investment projects and expenses made FVPOs under agri-environmental activities and to improve the production and marketing of their products. To be eligible for the same, entities must first be recognized as producer organizations of fruit and vegetables, a recognition awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development and that ensures, among other things, that the entity has the capacity and resources to put products on the market and that decisions are made democratically, with the participation of all producers.

Operational programs are mechanisms and tools with which banks and producers together supply and concentrated efforts to improve marketing. The aid, therefore, can be used for any aspect that affects the improvement of the competitiveness and marketing, reducing costs and increasing the value of products. FVPOs can apply for support for current expenses, personnel, investments, irrigation, machinery, integrated or organic production. The environmental section is very important because, in projects that the organizations come before the Council, should include environmental measures that represent at least 10% of the total budget.

Paid assistances in 2015

In the year 2015 Andalusia allocated 56.7 million euros to the actions taken by the OPFH. In this period were 92 organizations that applied for assistance for their operational programs.
By provinces, Almería concentrated the largest number of applicants, 38, and was 35.4 million euros. Huelva followed with 26 applicant organizations and a total of 11.2 million received; 12 Granada requested aid agencies for their operational programs and received 5.2 million euros. In the province of Seville were 10 applicants who received 3.4 million; Cadiz, were three applicant organizations and received 604,172 euros; OPFH in Cordoba two applicants obtained 214,297.9 euros and, finally, the only organization of producers who requested aid from Malaga last year won 756,683.5 euros.

Available on this link the call for aid for 2016, the forms and all the information.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of Andalusia