Mažeika meets Nausėda, pledges to increase subsidies and boost local food production

Proposed agriculture minister and Democratic Party MP Kęstutis Mažeika met with President Gitanas Nausėda on Wednesday morning to discuss subsidies and shortening food supply chains, LRT.lt reports.

Mažeika, a former environment minister, farmer, and member of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, is being considered for the role of agriculture minister. After the meeting, the president’s chief advisor, Ramūnas Dilba, told journalists that the discussion also covered Lithuania’s upcoming presidency of the EU Council, with a strong focus on agricultural reform.

Dilba highlighted Mažeika’s experience in agriculture and his work on the Rural Affairs Committee. The president viewed the meeting positively, he said.

Mažeika committed to advancing convergence in direct EU subsidies for farmers, which currently stand at around 80% of the EU average. He also discussed the future team and deputy ministers. “The main goal is to move towards convergence in direct payments to farmers. The current level is 80% of the EU average, which is unsatisfactory for Lithuanian farmers and the president. The aim is to achieve this as soon as possible,” Dilba said.

The meeting also addressed the structure of Lithuania’s agricultural sector. Mažeika’s vision includes a diversified agricultural industry, balancing large and small farms while maximising added value. “This means not just exporting raw materials but processing more of them locally,” Dilba explained, linking this to national security and the goal of shortening food supply chains—the path from raw materials to the end consumer.

Mažeika has specific proposals for municipalities in this area, Dilba noted, adding that the president sees this as a way to revitalise rural areas. However, the president also expressed concern about “practical solutions,” citing market fluctuations in the dairy sector and the need to address the Melioration Fund, for which a concept already exists.

Mažeika described the meeting as constructive and said he has already assembled a team. He pointed to Lithuania’s grain production, which far exceeds domestic consumption, yet most of it remains unprocessed. “This is an opportunity to create jobs and increase the budget,” he said.

He suggested that municipal farmers could supply raw materials to local schools and hospitals. Another challenge, he noted, is the volatility in fuel, dairy, meat, and grain prices. “Things have probably never been this bad. One sector is dragging another down, and given the financial situation of farmers, their purchasing power, and the number of farms closing or going bankrupt, it’s a serious challenge,” Mažeika said.

When asked about the future of the State Plant Service—an agency under scrutiny following a bribery scandal that led to the resignation of party leader Saulius Skvernelis—Mažeika acknowledged that its dissolution was a possible scenario. He also mentioned the potential to transfer some of its functions elsewhere. Dilba confirmed that this issue was discussed with the president, noting that while a radical reform idea was proposed, there are various options for redistributing functions and strengthening oversight, as the functions themselves remain necessary.

Mažeika also commented on rising fertiliser prices, stating that a meeting with Jonava-based fertiliser producer Achema would be considered. “We have a fertiliser factory that could help,” he said.