Ministry of Agriculture relies on diplomatic efforts to attract international support for agricultural sector

Chisinau, Oct. 4 /MOLDPRES/- Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) Vladimir Bolea convened on 3 October the ambassadors of the Republic of Moldova accredited to the EU member states, in Norway, Canada, Japan and the USA, in an online meeting. The discussions focused on strengthening diplomatic efforts to draw international support for the agricultural sector.

The official highlighted the impact of the drought and other extreme climatic phenomena of the last three years.

“The year 2024 proved to be an unusual year, marked by severe drought, high temperatures, hail and flooding, which affected harvest and the viability of agriculture. Agricultural losses have reached record levels, affecting approximately 340,000 hectares. MAIA creates the Solidarity and Development Fund for Agriculture. This fund will be intended for the affected farmers and will have the role of ensuring the necessary resources for the restoration of plantations, the start of the new agricultural season, the reconstruction of farms and the transition to crops more resistant to climate change. We are grateful for the support offered by our international partners and call for the continuation of this solidarity to ensure the future of our farmers and the country's food security," the official said.

The letter to partners emphasizes the need for immediate support, which includes both financial assistance and the provision of inputs such as fertilizers, diesel or seed material. This was supported by a detailed report on the losses suffered by Moldovan farmers, which provides an image of the current situation in the territory.

On September 24, 2024, Bolea signed the official letters addressed to the 27 Ministers of Agriculture of the European Union, USA, Canada, Japan and Norway, requesting support for the establishment of a Development and Solidarity Fund for Moldovan agriculture.

The initiative of this fund was previously discussed during the meeting with European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, as a reaction to the increasingly acute challenges faced by farmers in the Republic of Moldova, affected by the severe drought and climate changes in recent years.

The Development and Solidarity Fund aims to financially support farmers, modernize agricultural infrastructure, promote technological innovations and increase resilience to extreme climatic conditions, which affect the productivity and stability of agriculture in the country.