Funding Guideline Ecological/Organic Farming (FRL ÖBL)

The program targets farmers in the Free State of Saxony who wish to contribute to the preservation or improvement of the environment through ecological farming methods. Natural and legal persons, as well as their associations, who are active in agriculture and manage their own farms, are supported.

Measures for the introduction or maintenance of ecological/organic farming practices on various agricultural areas are funded. The guideline defines specific eligible measures and lists areas excluded from funding, while also highlighting the key development areas of the projects.

The program offers a grant as a lump-sum financing for agricultural holdings in Saxony. The exact amount of the grant will be announced externally, with additional funds provided for conversion and transaction costs. The commitment period is five years.

The funding is tied to specific obligations, including participation in the organic control procedure and adherence to a five-year commitment period. There are regulations on minimum plot size, compliance with EU standards, and the possibility of combination with other funding programs. Special conditions for land transfers and force majeure are also specified.

The application procedure for promoting ecological/organic farming in Saxony is two-stage and conducted web-based via DIANAweb. It includes an application for participation as well as annual payment applications, whose timely submission and adherence to funding requirements are checked through controls.

The funding program is anchored by a specific guideline from the Saxon State Ministry for Energy, Climate Protection, Environment and Agriculture. It is based on the CAP Strategic Plan of the Federal Republic of Germany and the framework plan for the joint task "Improvement of Agricultural Structure and Coastal Protection," supplemented by a multitude of EU regulations and national laws on agricultural policy and administration.