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), have devised a scheme with the aim of giving young farmers the necessary experience through practical teaching given by a host farmer along with other theoretical learning.
The budget allocated under this scheme is € 428,000 for two calls, which will be used to assist young Maltese and Gozitan farmers, who are under 41 years of age by the date of application, and who will be receiving monthly payment to carry out this training program. 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 Maltese and Gozitan farmers facing various obstacles to entering agricultural activity.
Minister 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. 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.
