Moldova to benefit from 1.66 million dollars to enhance sustainable use of soil, water in rural areas

Chisinau, 15 March /MOLDPRES/- About 150 thousand citizens of our country, residents of rural areas will benefit from an integrated management of natural resources and sustainability of soil and water resources thanks to a project, launched this month with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The project is estimated at 1.66 million dollars and will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MADRM) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) over three years.

The project aims at improving ecosystem services under the local landscape, raise public awareness in this regard and support the learning process in 32 villages in the northeast of the country, by using integrated natural resource management in pilot areas in Orhei, Rezina and Soldanesti districts, as well as achieving neutrality of land degradation and increasing sources of income across the country.

The project will start with an analysis, harmonization and improvement of all policies, legislation in force and institutional framework in terms of neutrality of land degradation. 

"A strategic plan for neutralizing land degradation for the entire pilot area will also be set up and at the community level, forest protection strips will be restored, three nurseries will be created to grow trees, shrubs and perennial grasses used for grassland, and creation of forest protection strips. In cooperation with state institutions, local authorities and agricultural landowners / users, the project will promote the implementation of innovative practices resilient to climate change, including the use of drought-resistant seeds, small-scale drip irrigation and berry cultivation, " sources of MADRM said.

FAO's contribution to land degradation neutrality is based on the comparative advantage and expertise of policy-making on sustainable land management and combating soil degradation, including governance and land rights, and its role as the primary global manager of agricultural information.

The project activities are based on three components: creating a favorable environment for integrated natural resource management in Moldova at the national and local levels; restoring the productivity and resilience of productive lands through integrated management of natural resources; ensuring the acquisition and sharing of experience through effective monitoring and evaluation of the project and adaptive management.

photo: realitatea.md