Young farmers’ project gets under way
A new government scheme which aims to tackle youth unemployment and boost the farming sector by leasing plots of state land to young or unemployed farmers at a cheap rate is under way, the Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday, noting that would-be candidates have until November 18 to submit their applications.
The applications can be made online or in person at regional departments of agriculture, according to the ministry, which said that a map showing the location of all available plots will be posted on its website. There are already entries for plots of land in the prefectures of Imathia, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Pieria, Serres, Xanthi and Kavala — all for lease at the favorable rate of 5 euros per hectare each season. A total of 833 plots ranging in size from 0.4 to 1 hectare will be available to would-be farmers. An additional 500 plots, each more than 50 hectares in size, will be available for businesses, said Agricultural Development Minister Costas Skandalidis. Would-be farmers who are aged under 35 will be eligible, with the unemployed expected to be given priority status.
