A €428,000 training scheme has been launched for young farmers with the aim of giving them the necessary experience through practical teaching provided by a host farmer in addition to other theoretical learning.

The scheme has been designed by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Animal Rights together with the Agency for Agriculture and Rural Payments (ARPA), in collaboration with the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST).

The budget allocated under this scheme is €428,000 for two calls, which will be used to assist young Gozitan and Maltese farmers, aged under 41 by the date of application. They will receive a monthly payment to carry out this training programme. Host farmers will also be compensated for their contribution.

This is another scheme fully funded by the government, and intended to facilitate access to agricultural activity and training for young Gozitan and Maltese farmers who face various obstacles to entering agricultural activity.

Minister for Agriculture Anton Refalo explained that to alleviate some of today’s challenges, there needs to be access to more training “and that is why we have continued to invest in workers.”

He added that, “the aim is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and practical skills by already established and experienced farmers, in a way that also contributes to innovation in the agricultural sector and to identify, nurture and developed with more knowledge the next generation of farmers.”

In recent weeks, the Agency has issued a pre-call for established farmers wishing to participate and serve as host farmers in the scheme by offering practical experience and training to young farmers on their farm. Similarly, interested young farmers could apply to show their interest in the scheme.

The application under this scheme must be submitted jointly between the young farmer and the host farmer, and must be submitted to the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Payments (ARPA) by the 31st of May at the latest.

For more information on this scheme, please contact the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Payments (ARPA) by sending an email to arpa.mafa@gov.mt or calling 22 92 61 48.

Guidelines for this the scheme can be accessed and downloaded from the Agency’s website www.arpa.gov.mt.

Photo by Alain Salvary

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