The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development – IPARD II focuses on rural and agri-food areas of countries in the process of joining the European Union. IPARD II has seven measures, whereby Measure 1 entitled “Investments in physical assets of agricultural holdings” is concerned with helping farms to invest in buildings or technologies.

This measure is very important, especially taking into account that the development of the agricultural sector in Montenegro is not possible without stronger support for reducing production costs, modernising production, improving production conditions and product placement. In other words, Measure 1 contributes to improving the overall performance of agricultural holdings in the production of primary agricultural products.

Measure 1 included two public calls and 361 contracts, with a total financial support of around €15.6 million.

These calls helped support the (re)construction of facilities, orchards, olive groves, vineyards and ponds, purchase various equipment and invest in renewable energy systems.