Investment Loans for Agriculture and Fisheries

Financing is provided for investment projects implemented by entities engaged in primary agricultural production and aimed at:

• increasing the efficiency and sustainability of farming activities;
• improving environmental protection, hygiene, and animal welfare;
• development and modernization of agricultural infrastructure;
• restoration of production potential and risk reduction;
• climate change mitigation and adaptation (GHG reduction, energy efficiency);
• circular bioeconomy and sustainable use of resources;
• protection of biodiversity and ecosystems;
• establishment of rural businesses, support for young farmers, and income diversification.

Not eligible for financing: acquisition and planting of annual crops, acquisition of animals, and acquisition of land exceeding 10% of total project costs.

Financing is provided for investment projects implemented by entities in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors and aimed at:

• innovation and modernization (products, equipment, processes);
• diversification of income (additional activities);
• operational efficiency and sustainability (energy savings, pollution reduction);
• increasing product quality and added value (processing, commercialization);
• development and modernization of aquaculture (including recirculating systems and pond restoration);
• improvement of infrastructure (ports, landing, storage, and control conditions).

Financing is provided for investment projects implemented by entities in the forestry sector and aimed at:

• afforestation, forest restoration and maintenance, agroforestry;
• prevention of risks and mitigation of damage (fires, climate-related impacts, diseases, pests);
• increasing ecosystem resilience, environmental value, and climate benefits;
• investments in technologies, equipment, processing and trade of forest products;
• development and modernization of infrastructure.

Not eligible for financing: acquisition of land exceeding 10% of total project costs.

Loans are granted when the client:

• is engaged in primary agricultural production, fishing and aquaculture production, processing and trade, and/or forestry activities;
• operates in Lithuania and is not subject to bankruptcy or restructuring proceedings;
• is not considered to be in difficulty (this does not apply to SMEs operating for up to 3 years, or very small and small enterprises or entrepreneurs operating for up to 5 years);
• provides all required documents necessary to assess compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements;
• provides confirmation that efforts were made to obtain financing under normal market conditions but financing was not obtained. SME representatives must
• provide one financing refusal certificate from a financial institution, while large enterprises must provide two certificates from different financial institutions;
  and/or the client’s loan default risk is assessed as being at an acceptable risk level.

During the application assessment process, the financed project must be recognized as economically justified and financially viable.