Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan

Agriculture and Rural Development

With a total allocated budget (EU + MT) of €166 Million, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan for Malta seeks to ensure a sustainable future for European farmers, provide more targeted support to smaller farms, and allow greater flexibility for EU countries to adapt measures to local conditions. This plan will cover the entire territory of the Maltese Islands and will provide funding and support from 2023 till 2027.

The CAP Strategic Plan will support farmers and contribute towards food security and environmental and climate objectives. Foreseen interventions will aim to contribute towards three general objectives:

1. to foster a resilient and diversified agricultural sector;
2. to ensure long-term food security;
3. to strengthen environmental protection, climate action and the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.

The CAP Strategic Plan provides funding in the form of direct payments and investments. The rate of co-financing and maximum grant awarded varies from one call to another, however funding is mostly capped at 80% of eligible costs while exceptionally certain calls can cover up to 100% of eligible expenses.

This funding programme is open to farmers, agricultural holdings, beekeepers and relevant public entities, however specific eligibility criteria are defined for each call for proposals.

The programme will provide improved basic income support rates for farmers, continue the provision of coupled income support as well as provide schemes for young farmers and small farmers. Measures supporting the shift towards more ecological agricultural methods are foreseen, coupled with investments to improve farm resilience, new technologies, digitalisation, smart and improved irrigation systems, incentives for organic farming practices and animal welfare. Furthermore, measures such as fostering, slurry management and wastewater networks, knowledge transfer and training for farmers, as well as measures to improve and foster apiculture (beekeeping) practices will be supported.​