Compared to the previous programming period, the financial contribution of the European Union to the IPARD 3 programme has increased to reach 288 million euros. Considering both the national and private contributions, the value of investments in rural areas in Serbia could reach over 580 million euros. In addition to the already accredited measures of IPARD 2, IPARD 3 foresees the introduction of new criteria, reflected in new measures, sectors, and financial support limits.
The EU Info Point in Novi Sad, therefore, decided to host the first IPARD 3 info session for farmers from Temerin, in cooperation with the Municipality of Temerin and the Regional Development Agency of Bačka. The discussion with farmers was led by MSc Slađana Gluščević.
According to Gluščević, the programme will lend support for the procurement of equipment and machinery, as well as for the construction and reconstruction of facilities, with the aim of achieving European standards in the field of hygiene, food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection, encouraging farmers to market their products in the EU and take advantage of European funds that will be at their disposal upon Serbia’s accession to the EU.
“Being one of the instruments for pre-accession assistance, the IPARD programme supports candidate countries in carrying out the process of stabilisation and association, specifically in agriculture, that is rural development. The pre-accession period is a good time for Serbia to prepare and begin restructuring its agriculture,” Gluščević explained.
The measures supported by IPARD 3:
Measure 1: Investments in physical assets of agricultural holdings
Measure 3: Investments in physical assets concerning the processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products
Measure 4: Agro–ecological–climatic measures and Measures for organic production
Measure 5: Implementation of local strategies of rural development – LEADER approach
Measure 6: Investments in rural public infrastructure
Measure 7: Diversification of agricultural holdings and business development
Measure 9: Technical assistance (support for the Managing Authority in the implementation of the IPARD programme).
In addition to presently supported investment sectors (fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, eggs, grapes, and other crops), the IPARD 3 programme will also include the fisheries and fish processing sectors. Increased support in the sectors of cereals and industrial crop processing will also be made available.
The IPARD 3 program has been approved by the European Union and adopted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.
