The Government of Montenegro has submitted to the Parliament a draft law amending the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development, introducing new support models for farmers, defining the rights of subsidy beneficiaries, and aligning national legislation with European Union rules.
The proposal includes changes to eligibility conditions for old-age benefits for members of agricultural households, as well as stricter penalties for misuse of state aid.
One of the key innovations is the definition of an “active farmer,” meaning a farm holder registered in the official registry who is eligible for direct payments or has agricultural insurance. The status of “young farmer” is also defined, covering individuals aged 18 to 40.
The amendments are part of the broader process of aligning domestic policy with EU agricultural standards. According to the government, the definition of an active farmer is being harmonised with EU Regulation 2021/2115.
The draft law abolishes the Food Production Strategy and the National Food Production and Rural Development Programme, while future agricultural policy objectives will be set directly by the government upon proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The new framework also provides more detailed regulation of the agricultural budget, including planned funding by policy measures, eligibility criteria for support, and control mechanisms. Special support programmes are foreseen for viticulture, beekeeping, olive growing, and producer organisations in the fruit and vegetable sector.
Stricter controls on the use of state aid are also introduced. Beneficiaries who submit false information or misuse funds will be required to repay the money with interest and will be excluded from support programmes for two years.
Special attention is given to social support for elderly rural households. Members of agricultural households over 65 for men and 60 for women, with no other income, would be eligible for an old-age allowance amounting to 70% of the minimum pension in Montenegro. One-time emergency assistance for socially vulnerable rural households is also proposed, up to five times the amount of the old-age allowance.
The government estimates that implementing these changes will require an additional €902,000 annually from the budget, mainly due to expanded social transfer rights for members of family farms.
