Grants for investments in processing, marketing or development of agricultural products and the promotion of food quality (Focal) under the Rural Development Program of Castilla-La Mancha 2014-2020

Region

Title of measure

Full title in national language:

Ayudas a inversiones en transformación, comercialización o desarrollo de productos agrícolas y al fomento de la calidad agroalimentaria (Focal) en el marco del programa de desarrollo rural de castilla la mancha 2014-2020

Duration:

2014 to 2020

Policy objectives Plus

4.1. Direct funding to business R&D and innovation

Presentation of the measure:

The agricultural industry needs to undergo a modernisation process to adapt to the increasing market competition concerning products of great significance such as wine, olive oil, meat, cheese, fruits or vegetables. This is especially important for Castilla-La Mancha, where the sector still holds relevant weight in the economy of Castilla-La Mancha employing a numerous workforce and therefore, being one of the main drivers of the regional development, economically, socially and environmentally.
The purpose of this aid is to improve the conditions in which the agro-food industries of the region carry out the transformation and/or the commercialisation of agricultural products to achieve greater added value in the processed products, improve their quality and, consequently, improve its competitiveness in the market.
The grant supports from 15% to 50% of the eligible budget depending on the size of the enterprise.

Keywords:

Applied business research

Budget, source and type of funding


Year	2017	2018	2019
National public funds	600000	3000000	1650000
Regional public funds	1400000	7000000	3850000
EU Structural Funds	6000000	30000000	16500000
Private funds
Other
Total	8000000	40000000	22000000

Form of funding provided

Grants

Policy learning

To what extent the measure can be considered as a success and worthy of policy learning?:

There has been a positive response by beneficiaries to the measure (e.g. over-subscribed in terms of requested versus available budget) but it is too early to judge results or impact

Evidence of outcomes based on evaluation and other evidence:

No information.

What are the most important “Do’s and Don’ts” that regional stakeholders should be aware of when launching a similar measure?:

The grants support the modernisation of the primary sector, which accounts for a high percentage of the employment and represents an important share of the GDP. The eligible costs are rather broad but there are restraints regarding some products or other elements that might affect the industry linked to them. Moreover, these grants perhaps contribute to maintain some products that are not competitive anymore in the market instead of looking for new paths where Castilla-La Mancha would have an advantage against its competitors.

European Commission - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Grants for investments in processing, marketing or development of agricultural products and the promotion of food quality (Focal) under the Rural Development Program of Castilla-La Mancha 2014-2020