Poland: Sowing winter catch crops after October 1 reduces subsidies

In Poland, the deadline for sowing winter catch crops under the carbon farming eco-scheme is October 1. While the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed that sowing after this date is possible, it will result in reduced subsidies. Specifically, sowing between October 1 and October 15 leads to a 30% reduction in payments, while sowing after October 15 results in a 70% reduction.

Changing the official deadline would require complex approvals from the Monitoring Committee of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 and the European Commission.

For gardeners and farmers looking to utilize green manure before the frost, selecting fast-germinating species is critical. Oil radish and white mustard are recommended for their ability to emerge within 4 to 5 days. Other suitable options include buckwheat and phacelia, which typically require about a week to germinate.