The Cabinet on March 25 approved the decision to sign the financing agreement between the Government of Moldova and the European Commission for implementing the European Neighbourhood Program for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) Moldova – Support to Agriculture and Rural Development within which Moldova will get a budget support package of €64 million, IPN reports. 

A sum of €53 million will be provided in budget support, while €11 million – in technical assistance for implementationt. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ion Sula said the implementation of the ENPARD will contribute to developing the capacities to export the country’s main agrifood products to the EU and, consequently, to increasing the impact on the GDP. The working and living conditions in rural areas will be improved. The grants that will be released within the project are designed for small producers and farmsteads.

The financing agreement covers a period of 84 months of its coming into force. The implementation stage will last for 60 months, while the completion one – for 24 months. The tranches will be disbursed based on the progress made in implementing the measures of the National Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy for 2014-2020.

Launched in March 2011, ENPARD is a policy initiative that is part of the EU's commitment to inclusive growth and stability in its neighborhood, recognizing the importance of agriculture in terms of food security, sustainable production and rural employment. The first ENPARD conference was held in Brussels in June 2012.