The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte, announced today that the Government has already paid 692 applications under SAFIAGRI III. This measure aims to compensate the financial burden on loans taken out for investments in farms between January 2016 and June 2017, representing an overall investment of 1.2 million Euros.
"This measure intends to support the financial liquidity of farms and contribute to their sustainability," said João Ponte.
The government official added that there are 112 applications yet to be paid, corresponding to an investment of about 229 thousand Euros; 70 applications still require further information in order to conclude the process.
A total of 826 applications were submitted in the first phase of the application period to SAFIAGRI III; 734 were approved and 22 were rejected.
The government official said the applications for the second phase of this support measure are now running until October.
Created by resolution of the Council of the Government in March 2016, SAFIAGRI III aims to compensate the financial burden on loans taken out for investments in regional farms.
The support consists of the subsidisation of 30% of interest and stamp duty on loans applied to investments in farms.
The Regional Directorate for Agriculture is responsible for analysing the applications submitted, both individually and collectively, as well as for verifying their compliance with the stipulated requirements.
Applications are submitted through the electronic submission of a form, available at http://gestpdr.azores.gov.pt and authenticated with an identification code assigned for this purpose.