Serbia to allocate subsidies for using solar energy in agriculture

Within a project for competitive agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced a public call for subsidies for using solar energy in agriculture of at least EUR 10,000 to a maximum of EUR 25,000 for registered agricultural households, while small and medium enterprises will be able to receive from EUR 12,500 to EUR 200,000.

EUR 6 million will be distributed under the first public call, and two more will be published by the end of the year, making the EUR 20 million a total sum that will be allocated this year, the ministry announced.

Two more public calls will be published by the end of the year

Subsidies are awarded according to the 50-40-10 system, which means that the grant amounts to up to 50% of the value of the investment, 40% is a loan from commercial banks, and 10% is the participation of the individuals or legal entities.

The first call will support the production of fruits, grapes, vegetables and flowers. Applications can be submitted by June 4, according to the public call.

Grants will be awarded for the purchase and installation of new equipment for the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency improvement (use of solar energy); procurement of new equipment for digitization and/or automation of production systems, including procurement of adequate software with accompanying hardware, as well as procurement and installation of new GPS navigation systems on tractors, and for improving the competitiveness of primary production of fruits, vegetables, grapes and flowers.

Women, young farmers and those working in poor municipalities are among the potential beneficiaries that have priority

Women, young farmers and those working in underdeveloped or poor municipalities are among the potential beneficiaries that have priority. Producers who have commercial potential, but not enough capacity to compete for financial measures to support the development of agriculture, such as IPARD, will also be given an advantage, the ministry said.

The ministry and the World Bank will implement the USD 38 million competitive agriculture project over the next three years.

Eligible for subsidies are individuals, entrepreneurs, companies and agricultural cooperatives that are registered in the Register of Agricultural Holdings.