Value Added Producer Grants in Puerto Rico

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that: ▪ Generate new products from raw agricultural commodities ▪ Create and expand marketing opportunities ▪ Increase producer income through enhanced product value and market reach These grants support either: ▪ Planning activities (e.g., feasibility studies, business and marketing plans) ▪ Working capital needs (e.g., processing, packaging, advertising, inventory, and salaries) Eligible applicants include: ▪ Agricultural producers (including harvesters and steering committees) ▪ Agricultural producer groups ▪ Farmer- or rancher-cooperatives ▪Majority-controlled producer-based business ventures Applicants must demonstrate that they: ▪ Own and produce more than 50% of the raw commodity ▪ Will retain greater revenue from the value-added product than from the raw commodity alone