VALLETTA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Maltese government on Monday launched a 3-million-euro (3.04 million U.S. dollars) scheme to help the country's 6,000 farmers cope with the rising cost of fertilizers.
Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo said farmers will be able to tap into this new fund to make up for the increase in fertilizer prices arising from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He said that the steep price increase was also impacting the cost of production.
The aid will be given in the form of vouchers that can be used by farmers to purchase fertilizers from approved retailers. A call has already been issued for suppliers to join the scheme.
In June, Malta launched three schemes totaling 6.5 million euros to give the agricultural sector a much-needed boost. (1 euro = 1.01 U.S. dollars) ■