AgriConnect – is a free of charge service which offers advice and professional consultancy so that farmers in Malta and Gozo can be assisted with different aspects when it comes to agriculture.

Launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo on Tuesday, he expressed his satisfaction with respect of this initiative.

Through AgriConnect, a unit within the Agriculture Directorate whose services are recognised at a European level, technical advice to the agricultural sector will be offered, he said.

Dr Refalo added that, “with the service of AgriConnect we will continue helping Maltese and Gozitan farmers to be successful in this sector not only from a local perspective but also supported by a European framework.”

AgriConnect has obtained registration to operate as a Farm Advisory Service (FAS), ensuring that proper compliance is attained by farmers and livestock breeders.

The Ministry explained that the services offered are aimed at supporting farmers in achieving all the necessary compliance and technical requirements to access different types of funding and advisory support which can help them tap into diversification opportunities, produce higher quality and/or innovative products and farming techniques, and to plan and structure their farming business effectively in every aspect.

With regard to the Common Agricultural Policy, farmers are going to be assisted to identify issues and provide guidelines on Cross Compliance (CC) and Agri-Environment Climate Measures (AECMs). AgriConnect is also planning on offering advice with regard to Rural Development Measures (RDMs) in the near future.

The Ministry went on to say that the complete service offered by AgriConnect to farmers is free of charge and is delivered by qualified experts in the agricultural field, thereby ensuring transparency and a high degree of technical and advisory support.

AgriConnect caters for the formulation of fertiliser plans and crop plans. Farmers are also offered appropriate advice on how to comply with current regulations, while reducing operational costs.

This service also aims at catalysing the achievement of Rural Development Programme (RDP) objectives with respect to long-term profitability and environmental performance by helping farmers satisfy the requirements of the Current (2014-2020) and Upcoming (2021-2027) RDPs.

The Ministry concluded by saying that “ultimately the goal is that AgriConnect will not only serve to incentivise existing farmers, but may serve to encourage younger generations to take up farming as a career by showcasing all the benefits available to them, including funds allocated specifically to new farmers.”

Further information can be obtained by visiting www.agriconnect.gov.mt

Photograph: DOI/Pierre Sammut

Permalink: AgriConnect – free of charge service available to local farmers