The Moldovan Government allotted 4.5 million this year for the irrigation of autumn crops. Minister of Agriculture Vasile Bumacov told Info-Prim Neo that the action was meant to encourage the farmers to focus their efforts on salvaging the late crops. Vasile Bumacov says that all the functional pumping stations in Moldova will be put to use. “There are second group crops like sunflower, corn, soy or sugar beet that looked excellent in spring, but were damaged by the drought. We expect a harvest of 580,000 tonnes of corn, 320,000 of sunflower and 60,000 of soy”, said the Minister. Vasile Bumacov said that the recent rains ameliorated the situation a little. Thus, the situation of late crops isn’t as critical as some representatives of the opposition claim. They only speculate and defend their interests, said the Minister.