The Government will allocate 16 million lei from its reserve fund for alleviating the consequences of the 2013 natural disasters. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said that in May, June and July there were 38 days with torrential rain and hail that caused damage to crops in six towns and 187 villages from 28 districts. As many as 70,000 hectares of crops were affected. The damage was assessed at 540 million lei, according to the data presented by the district agricultural divisions, IPN reports.

Under the regulations approved by the Government, the financial resources will be used to partially compensate the agricultural companies, farmsteads and private individuals whose farmland was 60% affected.

The compensation will represent 400 lei per hectare of crops and 1,230 lei per hectare of vegetables or perennial plants. The lists of recipients will be compiled by September 1, by commissions consisting of representatives of the Agriculture Ministry, the Civil Protection and Emergencies Service, and producers’ associations.

The assistance will be distributed through the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture to the recipient’s bank account, by Moldova’s Post Office or at the producer’s place.