The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, led by Narvay Quintero, has made the payment of 69.3 million euros corresponding to the first payment of aid to banana producers with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), established in Measure II of the Community Support Programme for Agricultural Production in the Canary Islands (POSEI) for the 2023 campaign, according to a press release. The total amount of the financial statement of this line of support, it adds, adds up to a total of 141.1 million euros, distributed in two payments and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF). 

A total of 7,356 applicants, through the six Banana Producer Organizations (SPOs) of the Archipelago, have submitted their applications to benefit from these funds, which are paid through the SPOs in which the farmers are affiliated. 

This line, he points out, consists of aid based on the reference quantities allocated and a supplement consisting of a payment per hectare for those producers who maintain the outdoor cultivation system, which is set at 1,200 euros per hectare per year. 

Interested parties have a period of 15 days, counted from the day following the publication of the Resolution (December 26), to submit the relevant allegations, documents, and supporting documents. These allegations and documentation must be processed through the SPO to which the producer is affiliated. 

In addition, exceptional measures have been implemented due to the volcanic eruption in La Palma, aimed at affected producers who have all or part of their farms in the municipalities of Tijarafe, Los Llanos de Aridane, El Paso, Tazacorte, and Fuencaliente. 

On the other hand, he adds, the call for this measure establishes an aid supplement of 10% on the corresponding amounts for those beneficiaries who have received the subsidy for the installation of young farmers from the Rural Development Program (PDR) in the current campaign or any of the four previous campaigns, and who maintain this condition.