The excessive fragmentation of land in Moldova causes great difficulties in using modern agricultural machinery and advanced technology in agriculture. Most of the plots are small and occupy 2.5 hectares on average. According to the preliminary data of the general agricultural census, this is one of the main problems faced in the agricultural sector, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the Ministry of Economy. The large area of uncultivated farmland is another problem that hinders the sustainable development of agriculture. The agricultural land in the form of arable land, pastures and meadows represents 87% of the 2.2 million hectares of farmland counted. The other 300 000 hectares constitute uncultivated land and land on which there are buildings and yards.     The preliminary data of the census taken in the animal-breeding sector show that in March 2011 there were over 203 000 cows, 422 000 pigs, 747 000 goats and sheep, and 12 418 000 fowls.   The first general agricultural census in Moldova was taken during March 15 – April 15, 2011. It did not cover the Transnistrian region.