The Economy Commission asks the government to increase funding for agriculture

2024-11-19 11:04:00, Ekonomi CNA

At the end of the discussion in principle of the 2025 draft budget in the parliamentary committees, the deputies in the Parliamentary Economy Committee have asked the government to increase the funding for agriculture.

The Economy Commission gave several recommendations in which greater support was requested, with fiscal instruments and policies for the development of the agricultural sector, industry and all productive sectors of the economy, in addition to the continuation of high rates in the tourism sector.

"The reform started in the agricultural sector should be further deepened, aiming at increasing productivity and improving the quality of agricultural products. Further reform is also needed in the field of budgetary support for this sector, as well as in improving the operation of support schemes in agriculture; the VAT refund scheme in agriculture, etc., it is stated in the recommendations to the deputies in the Economy Committee for the government.

The budget of the Ministry of Agriculture next year is planned to be 14.6 billion ALL or 2.9% higher than the initial budget of this year. While total budget expenditures increase by 6.7% in 2024, the budget for agriculture increases by only 32%, at a time when funding from EU funds through IPARD is also missing.

In the Ministry of Agriculture, there are hundreds of farmers who meet the conditions for subsidy from the national scheme, but meanwhile the Ministry of Agriculture does not have enough funds for their financing.

The state budget is expected to change again in December to reallocate funds, as the Ministry of Agriculture has requested additional funds to finance unmet requirements in the national scheme.

The Economy Commission also requested that all ministries and budgetary institutions should further improve the process of planning, implementation and monitoring of public investments, to ensure their realization with high effectiveness.

"Priority should be given to investments with a greater social impact, as well as those with a higher rate of return. Ministries and institutions should make a more uniform distribution during the year of public investments, to increase their positive impact on economic indicators and financial markets", recommended the deputies of the Economy and Finance Committee./ Monitor magazine.