Harvest of some cereals close to end in Moldova

Chisinau, 21 July /MOLDPRES/ - The heavy rainfall from the last period has triggered a prolongation of the campaign of harvesting cereals. Data from areas shows that over 75 per cent of the total areas sowed with wheat were harvested on 20 July, which is about 320,000 hectares and about 98 per cent of the area of 44,000 hectares of winter barley.   

Contacted by MOLDPRES, a chief consultant at the Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ministry (MADRM), Marin Grama, informed that the harvesting of spring barley had started two weeks ago and about 8,000 hectares are harvested now out of the total area of 35,000 hectares cultivated.  

According to Grama, the indexes of the average harvest per hectare changed for the better during the carrying out of harvesting campaign.  

„The best situation remains in the northern region, where we have an average harvest of 3.6 ton/ha in wheat. Poorer harvests were recorded in the districts from the central and southern districts, where the average harvest is 2.73 tons per one hectare. Things are almost the same in case of barley too: in the north - 3.4 tons/ha and 2.8 tons/ha in the centre and south. Thus, the average harvest on Moldova in wheat is about 3.2 tons/ha, almost equivalent to the average of the last five years; in barley – 3 tons/ha, by 0.3 tons/ha more against the average harvest of the last five years,” Marin Grama said, referring to data by the district departments for agriculture and nourishment.    

Grama also said that the harvesting of dry peas was in full swing and one of the winter rape was practically over. “The dry peas were harvested on an area of more than 75 per cent out of 20,000 hectares cultivated. The average harvest is 1.4 tons/ha, by 0.7 tons/ha less against the average of the last five years,” the MADRM consultant said.  

“The winter rape was harvested on an area of 99 per cent out of about 44,000 hectares cultivated. The average harvest on Moldova is 2.1 tons/ha, equivalent to the average harvest of the last five years,” Marin Grama told MOLDPRES.  

In most settlements from Moldova, the campaign of harvesting the first group cereals started in late last June. Because of the precipitation, the harvesting began with a delay of almost one week in 11 districts. Specialists said that the heavy rains of the last period had brought more risks to the campaign of harvesting cereals and can cause material damage to farmers.

According to the State Hydrometeorological Service, no precipitation is expected in this week-end. Yet, starting from 23 July, thunderstorm rains are possible all over Moldova, especially in the northern region.

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor A. Raileanu)