Regional Regulatory Decree No. 11/2026/A regulating the granting of aid for the purchase of maize and sorghum seeds intended for the production of fodder or grain maize in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

This Regional Regulatory Decree regulates the granting of public financial support for the purchase of maize and sorghum seeds intended for the production of forage or grain maize in the Autonomous Region of the Azores during 2025. The measure aims to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of the regional dairy and livestock sectors by encouraging the cultivation of crops that provide locally produced animal feed, reduce dependence on imported feed, and help farmers adapt to market volatility and the impacts of climate change. The decree builds on similar support schemes implemented between 2022 and 2024 and aligns with the regional rural development objectives established under Azorean legislation. The aid is granted in compliance with European Union rules on de minimis State aid in the agricultural sector. The decree establishes the eligibility criteria, application procedures, and funding conditions for farmers wishing to benefit from the scheme. Eligible beneficiaries are agricultural producers operating in the Azores who purchased maize and/or sorghum seeds for cultivation in 2025 and who meet specific administrative and agricultural requirements. The support takes the form of a non-repayable grant covering up to 80% of eligible seed purchase costs, subject to per-hectare ceilings and an overall budget of €3.51 million. The regulation also sets out mechanisms for administrative and on-site controls, payment procedures, proportional reductions or exclusions in cases of irregularities, and transparency requirements through the publication of the beneficiaries of the aid programme.