Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Government has adopted this year’s agriculture budget, totalling €77.3 million, of which €35.9 million comes from Montenegro’s state budget.

In a press release issued after the Cabinet meeting, the Government said that adopting the agriculture budget creates the conditions for the full implementation of laws regulating agricultural policy measures. 

“This includes providing support to agricultural holdings, associations of agricultural producers, and cooperatives, with the aim of ensuring farm income, strengthening the competitiveness of Montenegrin agriculture, improving living conditions in rural areas, enhancing institutional capacities, meeting EU food safety standards, and strengthening the fisheries sector,” the press release reads. 

The agriculture budget amounts to €77,324,258, including €35.9 million from the state budget, €18.6 million from European Union funds, €11.6 million from donations, and €11 million from loans.

“The planned funds are allocated to direct payment schemes in livestock and crop production, market interventions, and support for rural development measures,” the press release added.

Funds are also earmarked for support to general agricultural services, social transfers to the rural population, technical and administrative support for programme implementation, institutional development, strengthening of agriculture and fisheries, phytosanitary measures, food safety programmes, and mandatory animal health protection measures.