Over the past few years, a substantial number of Maltese farmers have experienced significant difficulties in attaining and maintaining compliance with the often-complex requirements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). AgriConnect has achieved registration to function as Farm Advisory Service, with the aim of ensuring that proper compliance is attained by farmers.
Services offered through AgriConnect are free of charge. These services help farmers and livestock breeders tackle any obstacles and technical problems that they encounter in their operations. This is done by providing them with the opportunity of seeking specific personalised information and consultative advice aimed at promoting diversification within their operations, producing higher quality products and encouraging sectoral innovation. AgriConnect is strategically located within proximity to the relevant authorities whereby it intends to achieve an excellent collaborative approach between farmers and all relevant authorities pertinent to the rural sector, bridging farmers and stakeholders.
AgriConnect in collaboration with AGRIHUB is working to adapt and embrace new practices, processes and technologies that address new and future challenges being faced by the agricultural sector aimed at improving general agricultural methods, increasing productivity, whilst also safeguarding the environment and bio-diversity. AgriConnect is also responsible for conducting one off projects and assessments in relation to particular events which would have impacted and effected the agricultural sector. AgriConnect also organises seminars on farm management and occupational health and safety training to any stakeholders working in the industry.
Cross Compliance
Farmers and livestock breeders that are eligible for subsidies Under Pillar I and Pillar II of the CAP issued by the Agriculture and Rural Payments Agency are obliged to conform with Cross Compliance requirements aimed at safeguarding the environment, public and plant health and animal welfare. AgriConnect helps farmers identify any problems they might face and offers them appropriate advice on how to comply with current regulations.
Agri-Environmental Climate Measures (AECMs)
These are voluntary measures taken up by the farmer who is compensated by costs incurred and income forgone in implementing such measures. These measures are generally simple to implement, but need proper adherence in terms of compliance. AgriConnect will assist farmers in informing them on the availability of such measures compatible with their holding and agronomic practices.
Rural Development Measures
AgriConnect will in this advisory area relate to measures at farm level, which are provided for in rural development programmes and are linked to farm modernisation, competitiveness building, sectoral integration, innovation and market orientation, as well as for the promotion of entrepreneurship. This service will correspondingly help farmers satisfy the requirements for the ongoing RDP and any subsequent legislation.
Crop Compensation Calculations for Loss of Agricultural Land
AgriConnect caters for the issuing of crop compensation losses in cases where Agricultural land is lost due to infrastructural projects or in cases where land is expropriated by a Government entity.
Advisory Service on Soil Management Plan (smp)
Livestock breeders have a legal obligation to continuously update the herdbook. The herdbook is a registry of the herd found at the farm at that particular point in time.
Livestock Herd Book Assistance
AgriConnect is providing the necessary help to the livestock breeders to help them fi ll it correctly by demonstrating how the herdbook should be fi lled and also providing a sample template that will help the breeders keep their book up to date.
SOIL TESTS, CROP PLANS, FERTILISER PLANS AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANS - Obligatory administrative work required by the farmer such as Crop Plans, Soil Tests, Fertilizer Plans and Nutrient Management Plans are also formulated by AgriConnect in line with legislative requirements free of charge. Such tools allow the farmer to better understand the characteristics of his holdings, allowing him to plan accordingly. Additionally, these tools serve to safeguard soil quality and regulate nitrate levels in agricultural production as to protect water quality for future generations.
Front Office
The Front Office (FO) Unit with the Agriconnect infrastructure is a key service provider to both farmers and the general public. The Front Office is based in Ta’Qali and complimented by an extension of the office in Mellieha (which will begin operating in the near future, by appointments only every Wednesday). Several tasks are the sole responsibility of Agriconnect, whereas others are shared with the Agricultural Rural Payments Agency.
A break down of the roles of the Agriconnect Front Office are as follows: