Moldovan agriculture minister says country's food security ensured in 2020

Chisinau, 3 February /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova will be ensured from the viewpoint of the food security in the 2020 agricultural year, despite the unfriendly weather conditions. Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Minister Ion Perju made statements to this effect at a news conference today.    

„Last year, we had more than 1.1 million tons of first-group cereals, i.e. wheat, barley, etc., over two million tons of maize. Presently, more than 520,000 tons of wheat is exported and to be supplied from the point of view of the food security, about 350,000 of food wheat is necessary, including seed material. We have these products, it’s no problem, the same is with fodder as well,” the minister said. The official confirmed that, from the climatic viewpoint, the 2020 agricultural year would be difficult. Yet, we “will cope with it,” Perju stressed.    

In another context, the agriculture minister said that “we expect no increases in prices and such a risk is not seen at present.” “The country has all basic products it needs,” Ion Perju emphasized.    

According to the leadership of the Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ministry, analyses carried out in areas shows that a more serious situation is recorded in the southern region, where there are zones in which 30-35 per cent of the crops are compromised; yet, a more detailed study shows that all seeds sprang. “If we have precipitation and it is expected just on the days to come, it is already good. This means that, in terms of cereals, the situation will not be bad and the maize is sowed in end April. In spring, we will be able to better understand what agricultural year we expect,” Ion Perju added.    

The State Hydrometeorological Service said that the weather would cool on the next days and precipitation in form of rains, sleet and snow was expected all over Moldova.