Lithuania has seen a significant increase in the cultivation of pumpkins, with the total area under cultivation reaching 2,000 hectares this year, an increase of 500 hectares from the previous year. However, concerns have been raised about the authenticity of this farming activity, with some farmers allegedly growing pumpkins solely to qualify for EU subsidies. The Association of Vegetable Growers has called for an end to subsidies for pumpkin growers to dissuade fraudulent farming. In response, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy has implemented stricter controls, including a requirement for farmers with pumpkin fields larger than one hectare to submit photos of their crops. This year, over 2 million euros has been allocated for the support of all vegetable growing in Lithonia.