Subsidies for small agricultural machinery extended to the end of June, farmers enthusiastic about applying

Text/Agriculture and Food Agency

The Agriculture and Food Agency of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, stated that the application period for subsidies for the purchase of small agricultural machinery has been extended to June 30 of this year in order to boost consumption. As of February 15, more than 60,000 farmers had applied, and cumulative subsidy applications had reached 540 million yuan, with about 150 million yuan still available for application. The agency urged farmers in need to submit applications to their local farmers' associations within the aforementioned period.

For agricultural machinery such as cultivators and farm transport vehicles that manufacturers cannot supply in time, the delivery deadline has likewise been extended to October 31 of this year.

Subsidised agricultural machinery already exceeds 63,000 units; subsidy amount reaches 540 million yuan

The Agriculture and Food Agency pointed out that since the small agricultural machinery subsidy programme began on November 7, 2015, more than 60,000 farmers have applied. As of yesterday, cumulative subsidy applications had reached 540 million yuan, with 63,514 units of agricultural machinery applied for. Among these, power sprayers at 15,915 units, cultivators at 12,003 units, and mowers (brush cutters) at 11,973 units were the most numerous, increasing the output value of the domestic agricultural machinery industry by more than 1.6 billion yuan.

The Agriculture and Food Agency stated that, in order to continue expanding domestic consumption and meet farmers' needs, the planned funding was reported to and approved by the Executive Yuan on January 19 of this year, extending the subsidy application deadline from the original February 29, 2016 to June 30, 2016; however, if the planned funding of 700 million yuan is exhausted before the application period expires, the Council of Agriculture will announce the termination of the subsidy and an early application deadline.

For agricultural machinery that manufacturers cannot supply in time, the delivery deadline is likewise extended to October 31

The Agriculture and Food Agency stated that for agricultural machinery such as cultivators and farm transport vehicles, if farmers are genuinely unable to complete the purchase within the deadline because manufacturers' production and supply capacity is insufficient, they may attach proof of an order issued by the manufacturer showing that at least one-third of the prepayment for the machine purchase has been paid and that delivery will be made before October 31, and apply to the originally handling farmers' association for an extension. Delivery must be completed by October 31 at the latest, and the subsidy payment must be claimed before November 10. For the remaining subsidised machine types, farmers who have applied are still required to complete delivery before June 30 of this year and claim the subsidy payment before July 10.