Drought set in Moldova in last weeks to hit particularly traditional agriculture - specialists

Chisinau, 20 April /MOLDPRES/ - The drought set in Moldova in the last weeks will hit agricultural producers who, because of the aridity, cannot carry out the works provided for by the season. The possibility of frost and hail pose danger too, a head of department at the Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ministry (MADRM), Vasile Sarban, has said.  

According to Sarban, particularly the farmers practicing traditional agriculture found themselves in a quite complicated situation. “We switched from winter directly to summer weather and the humidity content which had accumulated following the generous snowfall evaporated. As a result, we have a stony soil, which makes the going out to field and tilling the lands by traditional ways impossible,” Vasile Sarban said.

At the same time, the decision-maker from MADRM noted that the situation would be easier for the producers who had switched to the conservation agriculture and use combined equipment. “Such technologies allow a deeper penetration of seeds in soil, the furrow is stronger and optimally cover the seeds, providing them needed conditions for germination,” the head of the department of production policies, processing and regulation of vegetal origin products’ quality at the ministry in charge said.    

In the context, Vasile Sarban said that, on this period, not only the drought made troubles to farmers. “A danger remains eventual frost or hail. The climate changes have considerably hit the natural cycle. Yet, frost in the end of April and early May would be catastrophic for agricultural producers, especially for the ones in the fruit-growing sector. The fruit-trees have already formed fruits, the vegetation process is almost over or possible air temperatures of 2-3 degrees below zero mean that this year harvest will be fully compromised,” Sarban said.    

According to the specialist, the state of things is better in case of hail. “Measures undertaken by the ministry have allowed, for instance, last year, protecting about 90 per cent of the farmlands. This year, we plan to launch another 11 anti-hail protection points, especially in the districts of Causeni and Stefan Voda, where the natural conditions, geographical placement pose higher risks in this respect,” Sarban said.

“The latest climate changes make the man facing more and more serious natural challenges and, in this case, answers commensurate with them must be found. Presently, there is equipment practically for any situation – both internal burning furnaces against late frosts and advanced anti-hail methods, etc. Interest is necessary and, certainly, investments, and if it is about serious agricultural business, then it will bring profit,” Vasile Sarban stressed. He also said that, at present, the competent ministry worked out projects and looked for more possibilities to help farmers cope with the natural risks.     

According to meteorologists, the much expected rains are possible on 24 April all over Moldova and on 25 April – in places in north Moldova.  

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor A. Raileanu)