The Ministry of Agriculture of Bulgaria has announced the payment rate for the coupled support scheme for protein crops for 2021, which is BGN 238.35 per hectare, a decrease from BGN 259.22 per hectare in the previous year. A total of BGN 32 million was distributed to 16,081 producers last year. The payment for this year is expected to be made by April 10. The scheme is applicable to producers who cultivate beans, lentils, chickpeas, and other protein crops. Additionally, the European Commission has permitted ecologically oriented set-aside areas for grazing and protein crop production, and BGN 460 million is set to be paid out under the green direct payments scheme for 54,000 valid applications in April 2022.