A feast for the plague: no money for farmers, but will there be money for bonuses for MAFF officials?

Although the government has missed out on around €20 million for farmers who have implemented projects under the measure "Support for investments in agricultural holdings" of the Lithuanian Rural Development Programme 2014-2022, the authorities do not seem to be going out of their way to hurt themselves.

Agriculture Minister Andrius Palionis is not giving up on his plans to reward his staff with incentive payments at the end of this year.  

„At the end of the year, if there are savings left over (due to illnesses, vacant posts, etc.), it is planned to apply incentive cash measures to the ministry's employees in accordance with the procedure laid down in the legislation“, – the Ministry of Agriculture informed „Agrobite“ in response to a very specific question.

„As the end of the year is approaching, the state is saving money and increasing taxes on Lithuanian citizens and businesses, has the Ministry of Agriculture planned to pay bonuses to its employees, or the so-called thirteenth salary. If so, please inform us of the amount of the payments to be made to the full-time employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, to the Minister's political team and to the Minister himself. It would also be interesting to know the opinion of Minister Andrius Palionis himself on this matter, – we have sent such a request to the MAA.

The reply implies that workers will be encouraged, although the Minister himself has avoided giving his opinion.

„We note that according to the 20 May 2025. According to the State Audit Office's Survey No. VRE-3 „Survey of Public Sector Salaries“, the Ministry of Agriculture has the lowest salaries of all ministries“, – adds the Ministry of Agriculture.

The cash allowance is granted if the employee has performed his/her tasks flawlessly, has completed more than 6 months of service and has no valid disciplinary action.

„Agrobitė“ reminds that today farmers who have not received funds under the measure "Support for investments in agricultural holdings" of the Lithuanian Rural Development Programme 2014-2022 (RDP) will meet with the representatives of the National Paying Agency (NPA) at the NPA's headquarters.

Since the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MAA) did not provide sufficient funds, the Minister's decree decided that farmers can wait for the funds and will receive them for their projects next year from the funds of the Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Development of Lithuania for 2023-2027.