Skopje, 15 March 2022 (MIA) — The government has freshly allocated Mden 250 million to help farmers cut production costs, including Mden 120 million for artificial fertilizer for wheat and barley growers, according to Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ljupcho Nikolovski announcing the decision on Tuesday evening. Minister Nikolovski said the funding was in addition to the existing subsidy program. “In these hard times,” Nikolovski said, “the Government and the Ministry have directed all resources to dealing with the crisis. We will keep talking with stakeholders to help solve problems and find markets for agricultural products.” The funding is aimed at covering wheat and barley producers’ artificial fertilizer costs as well as cattle breeders’ lambs and pigs, he said. Applications can be submitted from May 1, Minister Nikolovski noted, stressing that farmers would receive the funding through June 30. He also said the country’s reserves of wheat were 45-50,000 tons, around 10,000 tons of corn and around 9,000 tons of barley. Production had increased, he said, adding that the authorities were closely monitoring the situation. mr/