MEMO/07/610
Brussels, 20 December 2007
Latvia's Rural Development Plan Country profile:
Size: 64 589 km2; 62 046 km2 of this is land 2 281 305 inhabitants; 32.1% live in rural areas Unemployment rate is 6 % In 2006, approximately 100,000 agricultural holdings managed around 2.46 million hectares of agricultural land (39 % of the land area) 75% of the land is less favoured area Employment of agriculture and forestry: 8.1 % of the labour market, primary production in agriculture and forestry in 2006 accounted for 2.3% and 1.3 % of GDP respectively
Chosen strategy: The overall objectives are:
To improve the competitiveness of agricultural and forestry businesses by supporting their restructuring, development and innovation as well as to improve the professional knowledge and qualifications of the population by ensuring the availability of the required advisory services. Promote improvement of the environment and rural landscapes by supporting activities aimed at preservation of the natural value of the rural territories, attractive landscapes and biodiversity. To promote improvement of the quality of life in rural areas by supporting the development of the local infrastructure to be identified by the local initiative groups, to diversify the economic activities as well as to preserve and develop the cultural heritage of the rural territories
Budget overall and share of funding
Axis Total Expenditure (in €) Share of EAFRD (in %) EAFRD Contribution (in €) Axis 1 648 960 777 75% 486 720 583 Axis 2 365 040 438 80% 292 032 350 Axis 3 259 584 311 75% 194 688 233 LEADER 32 534 798 80% 26 027 838 Technical assistance 55 526 000 75% 41 644 500 Total 1 361 646 324 76 % 1 041 113 504 Axis 1: budget allocation and main priorities
EAFRD: € 486 720 583. Total public expenditure: € 648 960 777.
Main priorities:
Modernisation of agricultural holdings Adding value to agricultural and forestry products Semi-subsistence farming.
Axis 2: budget allocation and main priorities
EAFRD: € 292 032 350. Total public expenditure: € 365 040 438.
Main priorities:
Agri-environmental payments Payments to farmers in areas with handicaps, other than mountain areas NATURA 2000 payments.
Axes 3 budget allocation and main priorities:
EAFRD: € 194 688 233. Total public expenditure: € 259 584 311.
Main priorities:
Microenterprises and diversification into non-agricultural activities. Basic services.
Leader budget allocation:
EAFRD: € 26 027 838. Total public expenditure: € 32 534 798.
Main priorities:
Quality of life/diversification Competitiveness
