To achieve this goal, the Ministry coordinates Estonia’s rural development policy, implements the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and develops and implements the Estonian Rural Development Plans.
During the programme period from 2014–2020, rural development policy is included into a single strategic planning process along with the Structural Funds and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
As a result, the European Union’s economic growth and employment objectives have been more closely integrated in the Estonian rural development policy and the combined effect of different policies should also improve.
However, the Rural Development Policy should help to find solutions to several challenges of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy – how to ensure food supply, strengthen the sustainable management of natural resources, reduce the pressure of climate change on agricultural production and the impact of agriculture on the environment, increase the competitiveness of rural undertakings, make use of the diversity in the structure of agriculture, and promote the balanced development of rural areas.
Authorities and agencies
Agricultural Registers and Information Board
The applications of grants established under the framework of the Estonian Rural Development Plan can be submitted to, the grants are paid out and the target use of the funds is controlled by the Agricultural Registers and Information Board (ARIB), which belongs to the area of government of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture.
Estonian Private Forest Centre
The applications for the aid of forestry measures of the Estonian rural development plan can be submitted to the Foundation Private Forest Centre, which also controls the use of the grant funds.
Last updated: 28.06.2023
