Bulgaria has formally requested emergency financial assistance from the European Union’s agricultural reserve in response to extensive drought damage, announced the Acting Minister of Agriculture, Georgi Takhov.
The official request, submitted to the European Commission, comes as the country grapples with widespread destruction caused by drought and a series of wildfires over the summer months.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s press release, the drought has severely impacted multiple sectors of the country’s agricultural landscape, including the destruction of livestock, bee colonies, and essential equipment such as hives and agricultural machinery.
The fires, which raged across Bulgaria in July and August, have further compounded the losses, devastating animal feed supplies, homes, and critical farming infrastructure.
Takhov emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate action to safeguard Bulgaria’s agricultural productivity and food security. “We are witnessing extensive damage to our agricultural sector, and our farmers need swift support to recover from these unprecedented conditions,” he stated.
Request for EU Assistance and Market Protection
In addition to the request for emergency drought aid, Bulgaria has submitted a written appeal to the European Commission, seeking the activation of protective mechanisms for the country’s egg producers.
This follows adverse market conditions linked to rising imports from Ukraine, which have caused a downturn in local egg prices.
The government’s request underlines the need to shield Bulgarian producers from further losses.
The Ministry of Agriculture hopes the EU will provide temporary safeguards to stabilize the domestic market and ensure that Bulgarian farmers remain competitive amidst these economic challenges.
State Support for Irrigation Costs
In response to the severe water shortages plaguing Bulgarian agriculture, the government has also announced a state funding initiative to alleviate irrigation costs for affected farmers.
Starting September 24 and continuing until October 31, eligible farmers can apply for aid covering up to 80% of their irrigation expenses, with a cap of 280,000 euros per farm.
The funding, which comes from a 16 million leva budget allocated for 2024 under the Ukrainian aid scheme, is intended to support farmers in maintaining their operations despite the difficult conditions.
The government hopes that by covering a significant portion of irrigation costs, farmers will be better equipped to manage the effects of the ongoing drought and ensure stable food production.
To qualify for this aid, farmers must be registered with the “Agriculture” fund and have a valid water supply contract for the current year. The program aims to address the immediate needs of those whose crops have been most affected by the water shortages.
Long-Term Water Management Investments
Beyond immediate relief, Bulgaria is also providing opportunities for long-term investments in sustainable water management. Farmers have until November 15 to apply for funds under the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2014-2020, which has a total budget of 97.8 million leva.
This program will fund up to 50% of project costs for improving existing irrigation facilities. However, the aid does not extend to new irrigation areas.
Projects must be completed by September 1, 2025, as the country works to bolster its agricultural infrastructure against future environmental challenges.
Aiming for Recovery
The combination of state aid and EU financial support aims to mitigate the devastating impacts of the ongoing drought and wildfires on Bulgaria’s agricultural sector.
As farmers face increasing pressure from both natural and market-driven challenges, the government remains hopeful that these measures will provide much-needed relief and help stabilize the sector in the coming months.