Romania, Unites States to back Moldovan producers of table grapes resistant to diseases, pests

14:17 | 10.06.2016 Category: Economic

Chisinau, 10 June /MOLDPRES/- Moldovan producers will be able to cultivate new varieties of table grapes resistant to diseases and pests, due to a memorandum of understanding, signed by the embassies of Romania and the USA in Moldova today.

The document is meant to support the project on increasing competitiveness in the wine sector by introducing seedless varieties and high-stem crops.

Romanian Ambassador to Moldova Marius Lazurca said that “this project is a first step in the implementation of the agreement of understanding, concluded between the U.S. and Romanian governments, signed on 25 May 2016, which provides for ensuring efficiency and sustainability of assistance programmes on development of states from Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership, including Moldova”.

“The project launched today is aimed at giving farmers access to varieties of quality seedless table grapes, resistant to diseases and pests. By these actions, the cultivation of grapes on high pergola-type stems will develop, compared to cordon system, traditionally used in Moldova. Also, the grape growers will have the possibility to develop sustainable partnerships with the Chisinau-based Scientific and Practical Institute for Horticulture and Food Technologies,” Lazurca said.

For his part, James Pettit said that the programme was meant to support and develop policies on improving the wine sector of Moldova.

“Since 2005, we have had a very close cooperation with local producers of grapes, and the results recorded in development of policies in the wine sector prove that the Moldovan farmers introduce more and more new methods on maintaining this crop. We are glad that more winemakers unite under the single country brand, Wine of Moldova, launched with our support”, the U.S. ambassador added.

A number of 3,000 Moldovan trade producers of table grapes, as well as the Scientific-Practical Institute for Horticulture and Food Technologies from Chisinau will benefit from this project. The latter's total budget amounts to 215,000 euros, of which 85,000 euros will be provided by the Romanian government, and the rest will be the beneficiary’s own contribution.

(Reporter P. Beregoi, editor L. Alcaza)

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