What's happening with benefits? Farmers report delays, NMA says no delays
„Agrobitei“ has been receiving more and more reports in recent days about possible disruptions in payments under the intervention measure "Investments in agricultural holdings" of the Lithuanian Strategic Plan (SP) for Agriculture and Rural Development 2023/2027. Unofficially, it is said that Lithuania currently does not have its share of the co-financing, which is also delaying the release of European Union funds.
One farmer who spoke to „Agrobite“ said that his project, funded under the SP measure, is approaching the 90-day deadline for disbursement, but the money is still not forthcoming.
„I have passed all the checks, the payment request was submitted more than two months ago. The 90-day deadline for the National Paying Agency (NPA) to transfer the money is approaching, but I have already received a call saying that the money is simply not there and is unlikely to be there this year," the farmer said. He said that the final date for the payment request is expected just before the major holidays of the year.
The situation is worrying because this project falls in a completely different funding period from those that were previously short of €20.5 million. As a reminder, the Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) had decided to settle the measure "Investments in agricultural holdings" for the Lithuanian Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014/2020 already from the SP funds, but only in 2026.
When asked whether there is a real shortage of funds to pay for the projects of the new calls, the NMA provided the opposite information. According to the Agency, there are currently no assessed payment claims under the SP Farm Modernisation measure for which the 90-day payment deadline has expired.
„2 December Following a change of estimates by the MAF, the NMA continues with the ordering and payment of funds. Changes to the estimates, taking into account farmers' earlier-than-expected payment requests and the resulting changing demand for funds, are common practice at the end of the year," said Vaiva Kovaliūnienė, Head of the NMA's Communication Unit.
While some farmers report warnings of delays and the NMA denies any delays, the situation remains unclear. The increased number of payment claims and year-end budget adjustments are likely to lead to tensions, but whether this translates into real risks of delays – will become apparent in the coming weeks.
