Investment Measures for Agricultural Enterprises in Lower Saxony, Bremen, and Hamburg – Agricultural Investment Support Program (AFP)

This funding program targets small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises in Lower Saxony, Bremen, and Hamburg. It supports these businesses in improving their competitiveness, sustainability, environmental protection, and animal welfare performance, and in contributing to multifunctional agriculture. The program also considers business start-ups and young farmers.

The funding program supports investments in durable assets used for the production, primary processing, or initial sale of Annex I products. It includes structural and technical requirements, as well as associated planning and support services.

The program provides non-repayable grants as co-financing for investment measures. The amount of funding varies depending on the type of investment and can be increased by an additional grant for young farmers.

Applicant agricultural enterprises must demonstrate specific professional qualifications and the economic viability of their business. Furthermore, strict requirements regarding environmental and climate protection, animal welfare, and livestock density limits must be met. The program excludes companies in difficulty or with excessive public participation and is subject to specific budgetary and state aid provisions.

Applications for funding investment measures for agricultural enterprises are generally submitted digitally via the Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony. Project selection is based on a points system.

The Agricultural Investment Support Program is established by a directive of the states of Lower Saxony, Bremen, and Hamburg and is co-financed by the European Union and the Federal Government. It is based on various EU regulations and national agricultural policy frameworks.