Agency for Financial Support of the Agriculture and the Rural Development announced Tuesday a call for submitting applications for allocation of funds from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD) Programme 2007-2013.

The objective of the IPARD Program 2007-2013 is to provide via adequate measures for support for the agriculture and the rural development, improved competitiveness of the agriculture production and agro-food sector, developing them to comply to the Community standards while ensuring sustainable environmental and socio-economic development of the rural areas through increased economic activities and employment opportunities.

The IPARD funds are allocated for the following measures: Investments in agricultural holdings to restructure and to upgrade to Community standards; Investments in the processing and marketing of agriculture and fishery products to restructure those activities and to upgrade them to Community standards; Diversification and development of rural economic activities.

The deadline for submitting the applications is 9 December. Detailed information can be obtained at website www.ipardpa.gov.mk, at the Agency's head offices, its regional centers and work units.