The damage caused by the drought to wheat fields was estimated at over 700 million lei, while that done to barley and rape – at 100 million lei. In total, of the 415,000 hectares sowed in autumn, more than 180,000 hectares of wheat, barley and rape were over 60% affected. Within the total area, almost 43% of the fields were over 60% affected. Prime Minister Ion Chicu presented the data, saying the Government is to approve regulations concerning the distribution of funds for partially covering the losses sustained by farmers, IPN reports.

In a press briefing, Premier Chicu said 322,000 hectares were sowed with wheat. Of these, 215,000 hectares were 25% affected in northern Moldova and 60% to 100% affected in the central and southern districts. “The productivity of the affected wheat fields is very low, of 0.3-1.2 tonnes per hectare in most of the regions. The global wheat production this year will be 600,000-650,000 tonnes, while internal consumption totals 350,000 tonnes. So, we could export about 300,000 tonnes of wheat,” stated the official.

Also, 22,000 hectares of the 56,000 hectares sowed with barley were over 60% affected. Of the 37,000 hectares sowed with rape, 15,000 were over 60% affected.

In such conditions, the Government proposed allocating 100 million lei, at the first stage, through the subsidization fund so as to partially cover the losses sustained by farmers for first group grain crops and for fruit, walnuts etc. The executive is to approve the relevant regulations.

“A sum of 540 lei will be allocated for each sowed hectare. For each hectare sowed with winter white that was over 60% affected, there will be offered by 500 lei, with winter barley – 510 lei, win winter rape – 700 lei,” said Premier Chicu.