In 2014, Farmers Received More Than 117 Million Manat of Subsidies

The State Commission on Agricultural Subsidies reported for 2014. The document reflects the identified negative facts on the distribution of subsidies.

Last year, 150,000 producers of wheat and rice received 20,1 million manat for planting these crops on 503,800 hectares. They, as well as other 234,000 farmers, including the owners of perennials, received an additional 51.8 million manat of subsidies from the state budget for the cultivation of 1,295,700 hectares of land.

According to the decision of the Commission in the first half of last year legality of the use of subsidies in three areas was monitored. In all three districts (Beylagan, Imishli and Shabran) there was revealed serious offense and materials on these checks were sent to the Prosecutor General's Office. In addition, there was an inventory of payment cards for the payment of subsidies to farmers and 77,739 cards were removed from the system.

Last year 107,700 tons of fertilizers were sold at a reduced price (50% and 70% of the purchase price). To recover the losses the fertilizer suppliers received from the state budget 32.5 million manat, which is 30.5% more than in 2013.

Seeds of 1 and 2 reproduction, seedlings, as well as elite and super-elite seeds were granted 10 million manat of subsidies.

By a separate decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of 28 December 2014, farmers in the Gobustan, Shamakhi, Gabala and Sheki districts received 2,850,000 manat to pay the cost of seeds for the winter crops sowing areas that were affected by drought and hail.

The total amount of subsidies exceeded 117 million manat. Recall that this year in Azerbaijan has been declared the Year of Agriculture by the presidential decree in January. The past year was declared the Year of Industry, but the industry has not grown from that. --08D-