The Ministry of Agriculture has requested additional funds to subsidize farmers, but there is no certainty that it will receive them.
Preferential loans have always been one of the most popular and sought-after measures of support from the state among farmers.
Today, they have become even more relevant, because the gigantic Central Bank rate makes market loans unaffordable for most companies.
It is not surprising against this background that farmers very quickly spent the entire amount of funds that were allocated for issuing preferential loans this year.
As noted by the Ministry of Agriculture, we are talking about a sum of about 209 billion rubles.
Since these funds have already run out, the Ministry of Agriculture is currently waiting for additional funds from the budget to continue supporting farmers.
However, it is highly likely that these funds will not be provided.
«Currently, due to the limited amount of federal budget funds, the large volume of commitments made to subsidize previously concluded preferential loans and the increase in the key rate of the Bank of Russia to 19%, an increase in the limits of subsidies for preferential lending for loans planned for conclusion in 2024 is not being considered,» the department noted.
If new funds do not appear, then the limits are almost exhausted. As of September 10, no more than 1.5 billion rubles remained out of 209 billion.
At the same time, as analysts note, obtaining preferential loans is far from equally available to farmers.
First of all, they are available to the largest companies and holdings that occupy a position on the market close to a monopoly. At the same time, smaller farms have practically no chance of using preferential loans.
The Ministry of Agriculture notes that preferential lending is indeed one of the most popular measures, so it will be preserved in any case.
As for the volumes, their decrease is a temporary phenomenon, directly related to such factors as the Russian budget deficit and the need to spend large amounts of funds on other needs.
However, since 2024, farmers are provided with preferential loans in several areas at once. Including the purchase of fertilizers, seeds and fuels and lubricants, as well as investment lending.
In connection with the increase in the Central Bank rate, the Ministry of Agriculture has developed a floating rate for preferential loans, which is tied to the key rate.
At the same time, the minimum rate on such loans can be received by breeders, geneticists, gardeners, millers and bakers, as well as livestock breeders.
