Germany: 5,400 hectares more of organic plantation in Brandenburg
Acccording to Jorg Vogelsänger: "As of 2018, for a total of around 5,200 hectares of arable land and 2,680 hectares of permanent grassland there are subsidy applications for organic farming."
By comparison: In 2017, in addition to the regular payments received by all agricultural enterprises, 25.5 million euros were paid out to 644 organic companies in Brandenburg for subsidy year 2016. The subsidized area was 120,000 hectares, for the cultivation of which organic farmers had to commit themselves to the specifications of organic farming for at least five years. Payments for 2017 are being prepared and will start in the first quarter.
In addition to the state program for the promotion of organic farming, organic farmers also focus on the promotion of grassland extensification or the heath program. Incidentally, there are some, mostly smaller organic companies with vegetable cultivation, that do not apply for any aid at all.
The subsidy amounts calculated for Brandenburg are measured by the actual income differences that result from the conversion to organic cultivation methods. The premium calculation also takes into account the additional expenses for the controls, so that a separate payment of a control cost subsidy in Brandenburg is not required.
For Brandenburg, the calculation methodology yields annual eco-bonuses of 209 euros per hectare for arable land, 210 euros per hectare for grassland, 415 euros per hectare for vegetables, 750 euros per hectare for pome and stone fruits and 665 euros per hectare for berry and bush fruit. Premiums from other federal states may be slightly higher, as there the minimal earnings are higher.
Source: mlul Brandenburg