Organic farmers in Germany's Bavaria get higher funding

“The design of the subsidy programs for agriculture is a big tug of war. This time the organic farmers were able to assert themselves - for them there will soon be the maximum amount.

It's rare for farmers to pay tribute to politicians. This applies equally to organic farmers and conventional farmers. But now it happened. The organic farmers are full of praise for Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber (CSU). 

 

The reason: From 2023, the Free State will increase funding for organic farming up to the maximum possible limit.

 

"Bavaria is sending a clear signal in favor of organic farming," said Hubert Heigl, Chairman of the State Association for Organic Farming (LVÖ) in Bavaria, at the presentation of the new programs on Wednesday. "With this, the state government is clearly setting the course for us organic farmers to grow." 

 

From Heigl's point of view, the new programs show that Kaniber is serious about her commitment to more animal welfare, biodiversity, soil, water and climate protection in the countryside. Because of their nature-friendly way of doing business, organic farmers provide precisely these services.

 

The design of the subsidy programs for agriculture is always a big tug of war. Because it's not just the organic farmers and their conventional colleagues who have very different interests. But also the small and large farms, the cattle keepers and other farmers. That's why it was rare in the past for a group to be really satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations. Rather, it was considered a success if no one was really dissatisfied.

This time the LVÖ has obviously been able to fully enforce its demands. 

 

According to this, the Free State will pay the organic farmers 284 euros per hectare of grassland that they farm organically. For organic fields, the subsidy even amounts to 314 euros per hectare and year. 

 

Based on the 400,000 hectares of organic agricultural land in Bavaria, this results in an additional funding of ten million euros per year. From Heigl's point of view, this is not only a strong sign of recognition for the organic farmers. But also a signal to conventional farmers who want to switch to organic that their commitment is desired. The state government wants to increase the proportion of organic farming to 30 percent by 2030. It is currently around 13 percent.”