Support for farmers affected by adverse weather events in 2024

In 2024, Polish agriculture faced a series of adverse weather events, including floods, torrential rains, frost, and hurricanes. We inquired with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development about assistance for farmers affected by these events. Below, we present information provided by the ministry, outlining the rules of support, application procedures, and the current situation regarding agricultural crop insurance.

Support for farmers affected by floods

This year’s flood in September 2024 required the introduction of a state of natural disaster. According to the provisions of the Council of Ministers’ Regulation of January 27, 2015, on the detailed scope and methods of implementing certain tasks of the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (Journal of Laws, item 187, as amended), farmers could apply for subsidies per hectare of flooded crops and refunds for the third and fourth installments of the agricultural tax.

• Deadline for applications:
  • Subsidy applications: November 15.
  • Tax refund applications: November 29.

Applications were submitted through the ARiMR’s online systems.

• Subsidy amounts:
  • PLN 5,000 per hectare for crops such as corn, sugar beets, potatoes, fiber hemp, tobacco, hops, flax, vineyards, herbs, sunflowers, or vegetables.
  • PLN 4,000 per hectare for soybean crops.

Assistance for farmers affected by other weather events

Farmers who suffered losses in crops due to torrential rain, spring frost, or hurricanes up to September 10, 2024, could also apply for subsidies and tax refunds if damages exceeded 30% of their average annual agricultural production. Damages had to be assessed by a commission.

• Subsidy rates:
  • PLN 3,000 per hectare for damages of at least 70% of yield.
  • PLN 2,000 per hectare for damages between 50% and 70% of yield.
  • PLN 1,000 per hectare for damages between 30% and 50% of yield.
• Deadline: November 15, 2024. Payments have already begun.

Disaster loans

Farmers affected by adverse weather conditions can apply for so-called disaster loans with reduced interest rates, subsidized by the ARiMR.

• Types of loans:
  • Working capital loans: For purchasing production materials such as plant protection products and fuel.
  • Investment loans: For restoring damaged assets, such as buildings, machinery, or livestock.
• Interest rates:
  • 0.5% for farmers with insurance covering at least 50% of crops or livestock.
  • 4.925% for uninsured farmers.
• Conditions:
  • Loan amount: Up to PLN 5 million per farm or PLN 8 million for specialized production.
  • Loan term: Up to 4 years with government-subsidized interest.

Current agricultural insurance situation

Under the Act of July 7, 2005, on the insurance of agricultural crops and livestock (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 477), state budget subsidies cover 65% of insurance premiums for:

• Crops: Including cereals, corn, rapeseed, tobacco, vegetables, fruit trees, strawberries, and sugar beets.
• Livestock: Including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, and pigs.

The Ministry has proposed amendments to expand insurance coverage, planned for implementation in 2025.

Damage scale in 2024

Data from commissions assessing the scale and extent of damages in agricultural holdings and specialized production:

• Hurricanes: 496 farms, 2,472 ha.
• Hail: 12,858 farms, 127,839 ha.
• Torrential rain: 4,267 farms, 15,147 ha.
• Winter damage: 646 farms, 4,086 ha.
• Spring frost: 50,074 farms, 382,866 ha.
• Floods: 3,652 farms, 31,708 ha.
• Other (lightning, landslides): 2 farms, 4 ha.

Total:
71,995 farms affected, 564,122 hectares damaged.

Source: Press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.