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Würzburg (dpa / lby) - winemakers and fruit growers have so far submitted around 400 applications for a subsidy for insurance against immense frost, storms or heavy rain.
"In total, the applications correspond to 22 percent of the total eligible arable land in Bavaria," said the responsible Ministry of Agriculture in Munich (as of February 25).
In the pilot project, companies can receive up to 50 percent of the premium on insurance against crop failure.
Every year 1.5 million euros should flow so that those affected can take out the sometimes cost-intensive insurance.
Last year, frost and drought brought the winemakers in Franconia the smallest harvest in 35 years.
According to Artur Steinmann, President of Viticulture, late frosts can affect the freshly sprouted vines in the spring in such a way that the yield for a winemaker is significantly affected over the next three years.
There are around 3500 winegrowers in Franconia who cultivate more than 6000 hectares of wine.
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Tree fruits as well as strawberries and bush berries are professionally planted on around 5900 hectares.
This only includes holdings that cultivate more than half a hectare.
The late frosts last spring had hit them too hard.
The Franconian Fruit Growers Association spoke of a loss of up to 30 percent.
With a view to the areas applied for for the insurance subsidy, viticulture has the largest share with 66 percent.
According to the ministry, this corresponds to 29 percent of the entire Bavarian wine-growing area.
In addition, applications have been received for 27 percent of the strawberry growing area and for 9.5 percent of the remaining, eligible fruit growing area.
According to the ministry, it is possible to take out insurance against individual risks or a combination of several risks.
Funding is only given, however, from a cultivation area of at least 0.3 hectares per crop group such as pome and stone fruit or grapes.
The funding applications for this year could be submitted by March 1st.
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Records from the State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture since 1968 have confirmed that the vines were sprouting earlier and earlier.
Late frosts affect the already well-developed plants - up to a total failure.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210301-99-634356 / 2
Effects of climate change - information material from the State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture
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Studies on prevention of late frost damage
Final report of a LWG report on late frosts
Information about the fruit harvest in Bavaria 2020