The 'ICF Agroliquiditat' line, promoted by the Catalan Institute of Finance (ICF) and the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Generalitat de Catalunya, has been extended by another 35 million euros. Since Tuesday, self-employed people and agricultural and agri-food, forestry and fishing sector companies that have been affected by price increases, drought or other consequences of climate change can now request the loans through the website of the public promotion bank of the Generalitat de Catalunya. This line is also available for those who want to make a small investment.

According to the latest data, within the framework of the 'ICF Agroliquidity' line, the ICF has so far granted a total of 99.6 million euros to farmers and ranchers through 1,588 loans. "From the public bank of promotion we have supported the country's farming in a context in which it is affected by multiple crises. With this new expansion of 35 million euros, we are strengthening our support and our funding to the primary sector as an essential part of the productive fabric of Catalonia", emphasized the CEO of the ICF Vanessa Servera.

For his part, the Secretary of Food of the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, Carmel Mòdol, has stressed that "we all know that the agri-food activity is subject to many conditions that do not depend on the sector itself, but which affect it very directly, among which the conditions of the markets, the increases in production costs, and inclement weather stand out. In joint reflection with the sector, the conclusion was reached that in order to facilitate the continuity of this strategic activity which is the production of food in these complicated times, it was appropriate to make it available to cattle breeders, fishermen, farmers , and other actors in the primary sector financing lines that really represent clear and determined support for the sector".

"For this reason, the Department, together with the ICF, have promoted this line of Agroliquidity which, since its first call, has become a very useful support instrument, as evidenced by the general use made by potential beneficiaries and who have recommended that both the ICF and the Department spread the positive effects of this support by calling the line again", he added.

The loans will be at a fixed interest rate of 4%, but in all cases there will be a 50% bonus from the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, so that the final interest rate will be fixed at 2%. The repayment period will be from 3 to 6 years, with up to 2 years of grace period included. In addition, each approved transaction will have a minimum amount of 10,000 euros and a maximum of 100,000 euros. As a novelty, those applicants who had formalized a loan under this line, will be able to apply for more financing up to a total of 150,000 euros. In other words, if they already had a loan of 100,000 euros, they can apply for a maximum of 50,000 more.