The Department of Information said that to this effect, those who registered agricultural land and applied for this scheme will not be penalised as previously informed, up to 31 May.

Furthermore, the closing date for aid applications on arable crops has been extended to 25 June, applying a one per cent reduction for each working day from 1 June.

Farmers who have not yet applied for this scheme are invited to apply at Ghammieri, or the Agriculture Department in Victoria, Gozo. It is essential to register the agricultural land parcels before submitting applications.

Up to 26 May, a total of Lm66,127 had been requested under this scheme alone. About 7,500 farmers have applied for various aid schemes so far.

The verification of information declared to date will commence on site from 21 June.