The Republic of Moldova will benefit from a financial package of 60 million euros for the modernization of irrigation systems and the development of agriculture. The government has approved the projects for the ratification of financing and grant agreements with the French Development Agency, reports IPN.
The financial package for the Integrated Development Program for Agriculture and Irrigation (iDRIP) includes a loan of 45 million euros, granted by the French Development Agency, and a grant of 15 million euros, provided by the European Union.
Through the iDRIP program, the authorities aim to modernize the irrigation infrastructure, to expand farmers’ access to water and reduce losses caused by drought. At the same time, the investments are expected to contribute to the increase in agricultural productivity and better production planning.
The program envisages the rehabilitation of two centralized irrigation systems, at Criulenii de Sus, from Criuleni district, and Calinesti, from Falesti district. After the systems are put into operation, over 3 thousand hectares of agricultural land can be irrigated.
In Criulenii de Sus, approximately 1,276 hectares are set to be rehabilitated, and about 300 landowners will have access to irrigation services. As for Calinesti, the project aims to rehabilitate around 1,794 hectares, with about 65 landowners set to benefit from the modernized infrastructure.
The project also includes the development of small-scale irrigation, through the construction or rehabilitation of water capture infrastructure for small and medium farmers who are not connected to centralized irrigation systems.
