Valencian Farmers Association urges Spain to extend fertilizer aid deadline

The Valencian Farmers Association (AVA‑ASAJA) has formally asked Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to lengthen the application period for emergency fertilizer subsidies from the current 27 July – 11 August window to 30 September. The association argues the 15‑day deadline is insufficient because the call coincides with summer holidays, many technicians are on leave, and a large proportion of farmers are over 65 and lack digital skills needed for online submissions.

The subsidies, introduced to offset fertilizer price hikes caused by the war in the Middle East, provide €38.33 per hectare for rain‑fed crops and €92.50 for irrigated ones. The Spanish Agricultural Guarantee Fund (FEGA) has already listed 424,593 beneficiaries, which AVA‑ASAJA says is “insufficient but welcomed” as it compensates part of the loss. The association warns that the short deadline could exclude thousands of eligible farmers, especially as the programme overlaps with other regional aid schemes.

AVA‑ASAJA also offers digital assistance to help members submit applications and urges the government to consider the specific challenges faced by ageing, digitally‑unfamiliar agricultural communities in Valencia.