News summary:  Famous for its regional egg balls, Groningen province experienced an earthquake on October 8, 2022, and since then the government has been compensating the local farmers.

Groningen-Three agricultural businesses in the Groningen earthquake area of the Netherlands will receive a combined subsidy of over 1.2 million euros from the Groningen Agro Program. This was decided by the Provincial Executive of Groningen. The subsidy is intended to enable them to resume business operations that have come to a standstill due to the earthquake problems.

Last December, eight other farmers also received financial support from the Agro Program. ‘We are pleased that we have once again been able to financially support three farmers,’ says deputy Johan Hamster (ChristenUnie). ‘The development of their farms has been at a standstill for a long time because of the earthquake problems. With this contribution, the farmers can again work on making their businesses future-proof.’

The agricultural businesses can spend the compensation money on replacing farm buildings, for example with a new future-proof barn.

Customization scheme

In order to help other farmers as well, the customisation scheme will be opened later this year. Hamster: ‘The cabinet’s response to the parliamentary inquiry explicitly mentions the damage and the reinforcement of buildings for farmers. We therefore look forward with interest to the further elaboration of this and what additional resources for the Agro Program will follow from the national government.’

The earthquake municipalities of the province of Groningen the national government and the agricultural sector established the Agro Program in February, 2021 to support farmers in the earthquake area who keep struggling with earthquake problems. 

Farmers are paired with one of the Agro Program’s consultants who help them solve their issues. Currently, nearly ninety farmers are assisted by a consultant.

Source: niuweoogst.nl