Moldovan fruits producers ask for authorities' support

Chisinau, 19 March /MOLDPRES/ - The increase in the National Fund for Development of Agriculture and Rural Environment, boosting of talks with the European Union for the increase of the quotas for the import of plums and grapes, including the negotiation of quotas of import in apples, without taxes, with the Arab Republic of Egypt, providing a sufficient number of transport authorizations, as well as the approval of the Apples in Schools programme are some of the measures suggested by the Moldova Fruct association for the support of native producers, according to sources from the Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ministry (MADRM).      

According to the Association, the state’s backing for farmers’ certification, in line with the quality standards, is equally important, as well as to facilitate the access to water for irrigation, including the compensation of losses trigged by the late frost from April 2017.

The participants in a general assembly of the Moldova Fruct Association of Fruits Producers and Exporters have identified these solutions. The members of the organization approved a resolution, recently submitted to the competent ministry.

”We will discuss with the competent institutions the establishment of an efficient framework for the development of the infrastructure of monitoring the quality, harmlessness and traceability of fruits both for export and for the domestic market, so that we see sound, qualitative and nicely packed native fruits in the country’s shops. Also, till the beginning of the new school year, we will work out a regulation on the procurement of apples directly from producers and their free of charge distribution to schools and, during time, we will hold meetings whenever necessary to solve problems tackled by producers,” Agriculture Minister Nicolae Ciubuc said.

MADRM has carried out more actions for the support of native producers. Thus, during the last autumn, fairs were organized in various districts of Chisinau and local farmers benefited from free of charge room to sell their goods. Also, on 24 March, a fair titled, Take Moldova Home, will be held on the Square of the Cathedral from the Moldovan capital’s centre. At the fair, producers from Moldova will sell grapes from boxes, at a price of at least five lei for one kilogram.