Macedonia Earmarks 100 Mln Euro for Agricultural Development Next Year - Media

Two thirds of the 90 million euro subsidies will support vegetable production, while the remainder is to boost livestock production, state-run Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) (www.mia.com.mk) said on Thursday, quoting the Farm Ministry’s draft programme for 2010.

The ministry said earlier it has paid out 84% of the total 70 million euro allocated for farm subsidies for 2009.

Macedonian farmers hope to start receiving some 45 million euro in European Union aid for rural development from the middle of next year following a positive assessment of the country's ability to absorb financing from the bloc, the Agency for Financial Support of Agriculture and Rural Development (AFSARD) said earlier.

The EU granted Macedonia a membership candidate status in December 2005. The country still waits to receive a date to start EU accession negotiations.

($=0.6783 euro)