Organic/Biological Farming and Agri-Environmental and Climate Measures in Rural Areas (FRL-Öko/AUKM)

The program targets agricultural businesses in Saarland and partially in Rhineland-Palatinate that wish to make a voluntary contribution to climate and environmental protection. The aim is to promote organic farming and specific agri-environmental and climate measures to improve natural resources and compensate for resulting additional expenses.

Voluntary measures in the field of organic/biological farming, as well as agri-environmental and climate measures, are funded. The funding aims to support farmers for their contribution to environmental and climate protection by compensating for additional expenses or reductions in yields and income.

Funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant, the amount of which depends on the type of measure and the applied area or number of fruit trees. The measures are designed for a commitment period of at least five years.

The funding is tied to various conditions concerning farm management and compliance with environmentally relevant standards. These include fundamental obligations, rules for changes in area, and specific requirements depending on the funded measure.

The application process involves annual application by May 15th for the following year to the Ministry of Environment and Consumer Protection. The selection of funding applications is based on defined criteria, particularly the environmental impact and contribution to achieving the measures' objectives. The disbursement of funds occurs annually.

The funding is based on the Guideline for the Promotion of Organic/Biological Farming and Agri-Environmental and Climate Measures in Rural Areas (FRL-Öko/AUKM) from January 1st, 2020. It is embedded in national and European regulations as well as the Saarland Rural Development Plan.