Ministry of Agriculture Extends 2026 Direct Payments Application Deadline to July 31

The Ministry of Agriculture announced on Thursday that farmers now have an additional ten days to complete applications under the 2026 Direct Payments Program, giving them the opportunity to finalize all necessary procedures.

Minister Armend Muja signed the decision, which entered into force on July 22, stipulating that the final application deadline will be July 31, 2026, at 16:00.

Farmers may submit their requests to the Municipal Directorates for Agriculture in each municipality.

In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) explained that for 2026, the Direct Payments Program has been redesigned to gradually align with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and is now based on four main pillars.

These include the basic income support payment for farmers, calculated on eligible agricultural land area; redistributive payments targeting the first hectares of the farm and new entrants to the sector; coupled production and quality payments for priority agricultural and livestock sectors; and eco-schemes for organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices.

The ministry appeals to all farmers who have not yet submitted the documentation to take advantage of this extension and apply according to the category of support they seek.

The ministry also reminds that eligibility criteria and required documents vary depending on the sector and relevant measure, while administrative verifications and on-site inspections will be conducted in accordance with Administrative Instruction No. 02/2026 on Direct Payments in Agriculture.

For any additional information on criteria, documentation, or procedures, farmers are encouraged to contact the MAFRD, the Agency for Agricultural Development (AAD), or the Municipal Directorates for Agriculture.