Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend I.Khalilova / The Azerbaijani Government is planning to continue issue of subsidies in agriculture sector in 2008 to compensate 50% of the cost of fuel and mineral fertilizers. Samir Sharifov, the Azerbaijani Finance Ministry, said in a meeting of the permanent parliamentary commission that the discussion of draft 2008 public budget, AZN 80mln was allocated for farmers, including AZN 3.5mln for farmers in Nakhchivan Autonomic Republic, Azerbaijan.
In 2007 AZN 80mln was also allocated, including AZN 56mln to be directed at payment of compensation. The saved money will also be distributed among farmers, who are involved in seed growing and etc. However the distribution of funds will be regulated by appropriate rules, which developed by the Agriculture Ministry.
The state-run Kapital Bank was selected as the agent of the government for issue of subsides. Plastic cards will be issued for 400,000 farmers in 35 districts.
At the same time, the bank is designing proposals on further use of these cards, through the subsidization for purchase of materials and mineral fertilizing will be continue in 2008. Presently, a new project is being developed in agriculture, which can be realized through use these cards.