Compared to this year, the budget has increased by five million euros. One reason for the increase is also higher costs for drought and hail insurance, which are supported by the public sector. In addition, funding in the ÖPUL environmental program (Austrian program for environmentally friendly agriculture) was increased, for example with an additional bonus for circular economy or a surcharge for organic farmers.
The largest budget item, with a share of 36 percent, is the promotion of young talent (“Next Generation Agriculture”). This includes the settlement bonus of a maximum of 15,000 euros when starting agricultural activity for the first time. The topics of sustainability and circular economy – the funding pot totals 30 million euros – are the second largest area in the budget. Third place is resilience and risk prevention, which means support for insuring companies.
The focus is to ensure the competitiveness and existence of the 30,000 family farms, said State Agricultural Councilor Michaela Langer-Weninger (VP).
Chamber of Agriculture receives 16 million euros
Part of the budget traditionally also includes funding for the Chamber of Agriculture: next year, the interest group will receive 16 million euros, around 2.7 percent more than last year.
- You can read more about the topic here: Why millions in funding flow to and through the chambers
Upper Austria has an Austria-wide market share of around 40 percent in pig production and around 30 percent in cattle and milk production. Animals are kept on 60 percent of Upper Austria’s farms. The investment support is therefore often used for stable construction: According to Hubert Huber, Director of the Agriculture and Forestry Department, around 25 to 30 million euros flow into this area every year.
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Image: State of Upper Austria/Spenlingwimmer
Source: Nachrichten
