“The Farmer’s Credit” – New State Aid Scheme Proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has published on its official website, for public consultation, the draft Government Decision regarding the approval of the de minimis aid scheme “The Farmer’s Credit”—an initiative aimed at facilitating access to financing for Romanian farmers engaged in primary agricultural production.

Purpose of the Scheme

The main objective of the scheme is to provide financial support by partially subsidizing the interest rate (specifically the component equivalent to the 3-month ROBOR) on working capital loans contracted by farmers.

Who Are the Eligible Beneficiaries?

The aid is intended for enterprises operating in the field of primary agricultural production (NACE codes 011–015), including:

• Commercial companies
• Agricultural associations and companies
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Authorized natural persons (PFAs), individual and family enterprises
• Farmers’ associations

Key Eligibility Conditions

To qualify for support, applicants must meet the following essential criteria:

• Contract a non-revolving working capital loan in RON from a bank enrolled in the program;
• Have no ongoing insolvency procedures and no major payment incidents in the past 6 months;
• Have no outstanding loans, or be classified in accepted credit categories (A, B, C);
• Be legally registered and authorized to carry out agricultural activity, as per ONRC documentation;
• The maximum aid amount shall not exceed the RON equivalent of €50,000 per single undertaking over a 3-year period.

Program Duration and Budget

• The scheme is valid until December 31, 2025
• Payments under the de minimis aid scheme may be made until March 31, 2029
• The total budget allocated is 250 million RON, with an estimated 1,500 beneficiaries expected to receive support

Minister’s Statement