At the same time, the requirement to develop planting projects or plans for areas larger than 0.5 hectares is stipulated by the Horticulture Act, which took effect on October 22, 2025.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry deemed it necessary to adopt a document of higher legal force to regulate the process. The ministry has prepared a draft methodology for establishing orchards. Comments and suggestions on the draft may be submitted by July 28, 2026.
The draft sets out requirements for the development, as well as the structure of the plan and design for establishing orchards, which will be developed by selected specialists in the field. The list of designers will be approved by an order of the ministry.
The plans and designs will specify the cadastral numbers of land plots, the technologies to be used, the organization of labor, a register of establishment costs, the locations of agricultural facilities and access roads, planting schemes, and more.
In addition, the document contains requirements regarding the rational use of land and the prevention of soil erosion, ensuring a rapid return on investment, and other matters.
As previously reported by Logos Press, the establishment of orchards covering an area of more than 0.5 hectares will be subject to approval by a commission. The commission’s conclusion will be in the form of a recommendation and will be attached to the project documentation.
