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Iohannis: Substantial funds earmarked at budget revision for drought-affected farmers
At the budget revision, the government has earmarked substantial funds for drought-affected farmers, President Klaus Iohannis announced on Tuesday at a press statement delivered at the end of his meeting at the Cotroceni Palace with Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and several ministers.
"The Romanian farmers are in dire need of support. We know very well that on top of the problems caused by the pandemic, our farmers are facing difficulties caused by the drought that has been going on since spring. To come to their help, we are working on two important directions. To support the farmers, the government has earmarked at the budget revision substantial funds for the drought-affected farmers," Iohannis said.
The Ministry of Agriculture is paying out 850 million lei in drought relief, 80% of the amount, in September and the remaining at the October revision, Minister of Agriculture Adrian Oros said on Tuesday.
"Because the budget revision of last week allowed us to allocate 850 million lei (...), which in our opinion ensures at least 80% of the amount that we will pay pout in relief in September, with the remaining 20% or less to be given to farmers at the October revision. We have done that to allow us to steer large sums to other sectors of agriculture, and I mean the livestock sector. And, in fact, all ongoing programs should be funded," Oros said.
Oros said that on Tuesday he had a meeting with the leaders of the largest agricultural associations "to think together about the relief related to drought."
He said that the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) was increased by 3.445 billion lei at the latest national budget revision.
Oros held a news conference on the budget revision.