The Rural Abundance Livestock Support Project, initiated to ensure sufficiency in red meat supply, will end applications on February 28. What are the conditions required to apply for the project? Here are the application requirements and evaluation process…Applications for the Rural Abundance Livestock Support Project announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry began on February 5. The aim of the project is to increase the number of beef cattle breeding operations and beef parent animals in the country, meet the fattening needs with national resources, thus ensuring sustainability and sufficiency in red meat supply. Applications for the three-year project within the livestock roadmap will be accepted until February 28. PREGNANT ANIMALS TO BE GIVEN TO PRODUCERS Within the project, pregnant large ruminants in the possession of the General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TIGEM) will be provided to producers at reasonable costs. These animals will be cattle and breeding. Thus, the strengthening of family businesses in rural areas and the introduction of women and young people into the sector are aimed at. In the project, between 5 and 15 pregnant animals will be given per producer. If the beneficiary is a veterinarian, agricultural or food engineer, the number of animals could increase to 30. MAINTENANCE SUPPORT OF 270 THOUSAND LIRAS Producers will also be given annual maintenance and feeding support of 270 thousand liras. Beneficiaries will be able to use subsidized loans from Ziraat Bank for up to two years with a grace period and repayment term of 3 or 5 years. In this context, producers may benefit from up to 85% interest discount based on various criteria. In addition, one-year TARSIM insurance will be covered within the project. APPLICATION CONDITIONS Owners of businesses with a capacity of up to 200 large ruminants registered in the Animal Registration System can apply to the project. Breeders can only participate in the project for one business, and only one application per household will be accepted. Applicants are required to reside in the province or district where the business is located. Veterinarians, agriculturists, food engineers, and village heads can participate in the project if they are opening new businesses. Those who want to benefit from the project with a leased business must provide a notarized lease agreement of at least 3 years. Those benefiting from the Skilled Hands and Young Farmer projects cannot apply to this project. Applications are accepted by provincial or district directorates of agriculture and forestry. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS As a result of the applications, the number of beneficiaries and the annual support budget will be determined by TIGEM. Residing in earthquake zones or in provinces planned as fattening areas within the production plan, being younger based on gender and birth date, will prioritize benefiting from the project. After the evaluation of applications, the first animal deliveries within the project are planned to be made in March.