Heavy rains cause damages worth over 14 million lei to agricultural sector from southern Gagauz autonomy

Chisinau, 5 July /MOLDPRES/ - The heavy rains with hail, registered in southern Moldova in late last week, caused damages worth 14.1 million lei in the agricultural sector of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia (UTA Gagauz-Yeri). The head of the autonomy’s department for agriculture and industry, Alexandr Chendighelean, today made statements to this effect for the regional media.   

Twenty five farms were hit by the bad weather, of which 13 in the Congazcic village. The melons and gourds were almost fully destroyed in this settlement. The losses amount to 3.3 million in this sector alone.

Chendighealean noted that the package of documents necessary for establishing the material assistance to the producers who suffered losses because of rains had been already sent to the Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ministry (MADRM). Also, the subject was considered by the regional commission for emergency situations, according to the site www.gagauzinfo.md.   

According to the decision-maker of the Comrat executive body, some settlements of the UTA Gagauz-Yeri are not well-enough protected against hail. “The department for agriculture and industry has already started works for setting additional three anti-hail posts in the villages Dezghinja, Cioc-Maidan and Copceac.  

In an earlier interview given to MOLDPRES, a MADRM head of directorate, Vasile Sarban, said that the anti-hail protection was among the priorities of the ministry. “The measures undertaken by the ministry allowed, for instance, to protect about 90 per cent of the agricultural fields last year. In 2018, we plan to launch more anti-hail protection posts, especially in the southern region, where the natural conditions, geographical position pose higher risks in this respect,” Sarban noted.   

„The climate changes of the last period make the man face more and more serious natural challenges and, in this case, the man must find proper answers. At present, there is equipment for practically any situation – both internal combustion heaters for late frost and advanced anti-hail methods, etc. Interest and, certainly, investments are necessary, but if to speak about serious agricultural business, then it will be with profit,” Vasile Sarban said. He added that the competent ministry was currently elaborating projects and was seeking possibilities to help farmers cope with the natural risks.      

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor A. Raileanu)