Moldovan agriculture ministry says harvesting campaign to end till late July

Chisinau, 27 July /MOLDPRES/ - The heavy rains from the last period have triggered an extension of the campaign of harvesting cereals. Data in the territory shows that, on 27 July, over 92 per cent of all the area of wheat has been harvested, which represents about 320,000 ha and 98 per cent of the area of 44,000 ha of winter barley, according to sources of the Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ministry (MADRM).        

Contacted by MOLDPRES, a MADRM representative (MADRM), Marin Grama, has said that the harvesting of the spring barley started three weeks ago and 75 per cent out of 35,000 ha cultivated was presently harvested.    

According to Marin Grama, the indexes of average harvest per one hectare underwent no changes in the last week of harvest.

„The best situation is recorded in the northern region, where we have an average harvest of 3.4 tons/ha in wheat. Poorer harvests were registered in districts from the central and southern regions, where the average is of 2.8 tons/ha. Things stay almost the same in barley: in the north – 3.4 tons/ha and in the south – 2.5 tons/ha. Thus, the average harvest on Moldova is: about 3.2 tons/ha in wheat, almost equal to the average harvest of the last five years; in barley – 2.9 tons/ha, by 0.2 tons/ha more than the average harvest of the last 5 years,” Grama noted, referring to districts department for agriculture and nourishment.      

The agriculture ministry specialist informed that the harvesting of dried peas was getting close to its end and the winter rape’s harvest has been practically completed. ”The dry peas have been harvested on an area of more than 90 per cent out of 20,000 ha cultivated. The average harvest stands at 1.4 tons/ha, by 0.7 tons/ha less than the average for the last five years,” the MARDM representative said.     

“The winter rape has been fully harvested on all the 44,000 hectares cultivated. The average harvest on the country is 2 tons/ha, by 0.1 tons/ha less against the harvest per one hectare in the last five years,” Marin Grama added.  

According to the specialist in agriculture, the harvesting of wheat, barley, peas and rape will be completed till late July.  

The campaign of harvesting the group I cereals started in most settlements of Moldova in late last June. Because of the precipitation, the harvesting in 11 district started with a delay of about one week. Specialists say the heavy rainfall which accompanied the entire harvesting campaign this year will cause material damages to farmers.    

According to the State Hydrometeorological Service, in the next week, precipitation is expected preponderantly in the northern region, and starting from next 30 July, a Yellow Code of heat will enter into force.   

(Reporter L. Grubii, editor L. Alcaza)