France pledges over one billion euros to support drought-hit farmers

French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard officially announced a financial aid package exceeding €1 billion on September 4, to assist French farmers recovering from the record-breaking summer heatwaves and extreme drought.

Minister Genevard stated that the immediate goal is to manage the emergency, prevent farm bankruptcies, and restart agricultural production. Approximately €520 million is earmarked for rapid compensation payouts to cover exceptional crop losses and aid farms facing immediate weather damage.

Around €235 million will fund a local recovery mechanism to help farmers purchase critical inputs such as fodder, animal feed, seeds, and seedlings after pastures were dried out.