Agriculture Minister Andis Salla has stated that compensation payments for damaged farmers will continue, stressing that the government “has not withdrawn” from its obligations. He confirmed that ongoing procedures will include additional beneficiaries, including 22 entities previously linked to investment support schemes that will now be incorporated into the 2025 payment cycle.
According to Salla, the agricultural sector is also experiencing strong performance in exports and production. He said exports are moving at a pace comparable to 2025 levels and in some cases exceeding them, citing increased production volumes, higher invoicing, and expanded market opportunities.
“The production is at the highest level we have had in the territory… we are exporting and capturing all opportunities,” Salla said, describing the current agricultural year as particularly strong.
Despite these statements, concerns persist among farmers and sector stakeholders regarding delays in compensation payments and limited effectiveness of support schemes in practice. Many producers continue to report difficulties accessing funds in a timely manner, alongside challenges related to eligibility criteria and administrative procedures.
Criticism from sector observers and media reports has also pointed to structural issues in agricultural support policies, including:
- delays in disbursement of compensation funds
- complex or unclear application requirements for small farmers
- uneven distribution of subsidies and investment support
While official data highlights increased exports and higher invoicing, questions remain about how much of this growth translates into real income improvements for farmers, especially in a context of rising production costs such as fuel, fertilizers, and agricultural inputs.
Some analysts also note that higher export values do not necessarily reflect stronger farm-level profitability, as value chains often concentrate gains among intermediaries rather than producers themselves.
Overall, the situation reflects a gap between official government messaging on agricultural progress and the day-to-day experience reported by many farmers across the country.