The European Commission adopted the IPARD III programme of Montenegro for the period 2021-2027, worth €63MIL. Other benefits offered by the IPARD III programme were presented to the general public at a ceremony organised at the Patrimonio winery in Bobija, Cetinje, which is an IPARD beneficiary.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, Vladimir Joković, explained that the IPARD III programme has eight support measures, and that Montenegro has so far accredited the management structure, i.e. received authorisation from the European Commission to be able to implement measures 1, 3, and 7.
“Investments that will be supported by the IPARD III programme refer to the acquisition of equipment and machinery, construction, and reconstruction of buildings. By implementing this programme, agricultural producers will approach and adapt to the demands of the domestic and foreign markets, increase productivity and competitiveness, as well as the diversification and development of economic activities and the improvement of the quality of life in rural areas. I consider this a great success for Montenegro, and I believe that the availability of these funds will significantly improve the agricultural sector,” explained the Minister.
Montenegro is currently using the remaining available funds from the IPARD II programme, which can formally be used until the end of 2023, so the funds from the new IPARD III programme will be used after this deadline. In her address, EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa emphasised that the EU supported more than 250 investments in agriculture through the IPARD II programme.
Montenegro is currently using the remaining available funds from the IPARD II programme, which can formally be used until the end of 2023, so the funds from the new IPARD III programme will be used after this deadline. In her address, EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa emphasised that the EU supported more than 250 investments in agriculture through the IPARD II programme.
“I am very happy that today we celebrate the adoption of IPARD III. Agricultural production and agro-processing in Montenegro should be adapted and improved in order to be ready and competitive for the European market when the country becomes a full member state of the EU. Our IPARD programmes give you an additional chance to increase agricultural production and reduce the dependency on food imports. I encourage Montenegrin farmers and agro-processors to make full use of IPARD II and the upcoming IPARD III, as well as for the Ministry to prepare the implementation of the new measures of IPARD III in a timely manner and show that it manages EU funds and requirements in a good way,” said EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa.
The IPARD III presentation was organised at the Patrimonio winery in Bobija, Cetinje, which improved its capacities through the support measures of the IPARD II programme.
“Patrimonio Winery produced the first drops of wine last year. The facility where we are located has the most modern winemaking equipment, and the land on which the vineyards are planted has exceptional properties for growing wine grape varieties. The facility was built through the IPARD-like support programme, while the equipment and vineyards with the help of the IPARD II. Our plan is to plant a vineyard on an additional four hectares, expand the winery, and build accommodation facilities with the help of the IPARD III programme,” said the winery owner Radosav Brnović.
You can find out more about the IPARD programme on the Ministry’s website.