The applications for the Rural Abundance Livestock Support Project, initiated to ensure sufficiency in red meat supply, will end on February 28. What conditions are required to apply for the project? Here are the application criteria and evaluation process…The Rural Abundance Livestock Support Project, announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, started accepting applications on February 5. The aim of the project is to increase the number of farms producing beef breed foundation stock and beef breeding animals in the country, meet the fattening needs with national resources, thus ensuring sustainability and sufficiency in red meat supply. Applications for the three-year project within the livestock roadmap will be accepted until February 28. PREGNANT ANIMALS TO BE PROVIDED TO FARMERS Within the scope of the project, pregnant cattle in the possession of the General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM) will be provided to farmers at affordable costs. These animals will be for beef and breeding purposes. Thus, the strengthening of family businesses in rural areas, as well as the participation of women and young people in the sector, is targeted. In the project, between 5 and 15 pregnant animals will be given per producer. If the beneficiary is a veterinarian, agricultural, or food engineer, the number of animals may increase to 30. MAINTENANCE SUPPORT OF 270 THOUSAND LIRA Farmers will also be provided with an annual maintenance and feeding support of 270 thousand Lira. Beneficiaries can use subsidized loans with a grace period of up to 2 years and repayment terms of 3 or 5 years from Ziraat Bank. Within this scope, farmers may benefit up to 85% interest rate discount based on various criteria. Additionally, one year of TARSİM insurance will be covered under the project. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Only farm owners with a capacity of up to 200 cattle registered in the Animal Registration System can apply to the project. Breeders can only participate in the project for one farm, and only one application per household will be accepted. The application owner must also reside in the province or district where the farm is located. Veterinarians, agricultural and food engineers, as well as village headmen, can be included in the project if they open a new farm. Those wishing to benefit from the project with a rented farm are required to submit a notarized rental agreement of at least 3 years. Those benefiting from programs such as Expert Hands and Young Farmers are not eligible to apply for this project. Applications are accepted by provincial or district directorates of agriculture and forestry. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS Following the evaluation of the applications, the number of eligible beneficiaries and the annual support budget will be determined by TİGEM. Residing in earthquake zones or provinces designated as fattening areas within the production planning, being younger based on gender and date of birth will ensure priority access to the project. After the evaluation of applications, the first animal deliveries within the project are planned to take place in March.