Membership in the European Union has proved a greater investment in agriculture in Gozo. Several areas associated with agriculture have directly benefited from European funds and various agricultural operators have benefited from financial support. Two farms in Gozo tha are benefiting from union funds are the Gozitano Producers and Gozo Cottage.

During a visit made by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, Chris Said, to the Gozitano complex, they were able to see the investment made in these companies. They were accompanied by Dr. Joseph Grech from the Gozitano Complex and Mr Frank Xerri, director of Gozo Cottage who explained the investment made by these organisations.

Through the European funds, Gozo Cottage were able to invest in new equipment which will help the company in the the production of local quality produce. The new machines are for the pressing and bottling of olives. They were purchased through a project with financial assistance amounting to €100,000 from the European Regional Development Fund.

The main objective of the Gozitano Producers is to help farmers in Gozo to improve the quality of their agricultural production with regard to the environment. Amongst other projects, the Gozitano Producers invested in machinery for grading and packing produce that was worth around €145,000.

Minister Giovanna Debono, said that agriculture is an important area because it incorporates different aspects that contribute to the socio economic development of the island of Gozo. It is why the Ministry for Gozo also offer necessary assistance in respect of advice and training to help the farmers to adopt good practices in their farming production. These practices protect the interests of both the farmers themselves as well as those of consumers while also helping in the implementation of Government policy on agriculture and the environment.

Chris Said said that between the period 2004-2006 more than €860,000 were allocated to finance 23 projects undertaken by farmers in Gozo through structural funds. This was only one area of the several allocations for agriculture, these funds have helped farmers become more competitive and improve their production.