• The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), through the Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR), recently announced the launch of two new financing lines for farmers and processors in the agricultural sector, as part of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
The DR-23 and DR-16 interventions, scheduled for the beginning of June 2025, are eagerly awaited by farmers who want to access European funds for the development of their businesses. Although the Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, has stated on several occasions that the DR-23 intervention will be launched on June 1, and DR-16 on June 15, the official information available on the website MARD or AFIR does not yet confirm the opening of project submission sessions.
Farmers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector are still on the lookout, being advised to closely monitor AFIR's official channels for updates.
What does the DR-23 intervention entail?
Intervention DR-23, called "Investments in the processing and marketing of agricultural products with a view to obtaining food products and processed products other than those provided for in Annex 1 to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union", aims to support investments in the processing of agricultural products. This includes activities such as the manufacture of dairy products, ice cream, bread, cakes, pastries, macaroni, chocolate, spices or beverages such as beer.
The non-reimbursable financing provided through this intervention can reach up to 65% of the total eligible expenses, with a maximum ceiling of 10 million for investments in the bakery and 3 million for other types of investments. This financing line represents a significant opportunity for processors who want to modernize their production units or diversify their product range, thus contributing to increasing the added value of Romanian agricultural products.
DR-16: Support for the vegetable and potato sector
The second intervention, DR-16, entitled "Investments in the vegetable and/or potato sector", is dedicated to farmers active in the cultivation of vegetables and potatoes. Through this measure, farmers can access European funds of up to 2 million euros per projectHowever, for projects involving only the purchase of agricultural machinery and equipment, the maximum amount of financing is limited to 300.000 euros per projector 500.000 euros per project for associative forms that purchase machinery for potato cultivation. The intensity of support is also 65% of eligible costs, offering farmers the opportunity to invest in modernizing their farms and increasing market competitiveness.
Opportunities for the modernization of Romanian agriculture
The launch of DR-23 and DR-16 interventions represents an important step in supporting rural development and agricultural processing in Romania. These measures complement other initiatives within the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which include support for young farmers, investments in irrigation, the purchase of agricultural machinery or the establishment of producer groups. By accessing these funds, farmers and processors have the chance to modernize their businesses, adopt innovative technologies and better respond to market demands.
Pending official confirmation of the launch, those interested are encouraged to prepare in advance by consulting the advisory guides available on the AFIR website and ensuring that they meet the eligibility conditions. It remains to be seen whether the announced deadlines will be met or whether farmers and processors will have to wait longer to benefit from these financing opportunities.
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor-in-Chief Arta Albă
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