The areas of new intensive orchards in Moldova will increase from 5,000 hectares to 37,000 hectares during the next seven years. The areas of new vineyards will extend from 1,719 hectares to 12,300 hectares, while of new hothouses – from 157 hectares to 1,541 hectares. The estimates are contained in the draft Agriculture and Rural Environment Development Strategy for 2014-2020, which was proposed for public debates, IPN reports.

“Currently, over 80% of the areas cultivated in Moldova are occupied by low value-added crops, 50% of which are grains. The fruit and vegetables, which are considered high value-added, occupy less than 20%,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Viorel Gutu.  

However, according to the official, such sectors as the production of walnut kernel and honey turned out to be profitable and attention will be paid to them. “Over the last ten years, these two products have had access to the EU markets and are exported successfully to these and other markets,” said the deputy minister.

Another condition for increasing the profitability of the agricultural sector, according to the strategy, is to change the structure of the exports of agrifood products from mainly raw material into processed products.

The strategy was worked out with the support of the International Finance Corporation.