The executive approved the program on the conservation and improvement of soil fertility for 2011-2020. A sum of 54 million lei was earmarked for implementing modern technologies and environment-friendly agricultural practices, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said the land in Moldova is highly fertile, but has significantly deteriorated during the last 15-20 years. The condition of the soil layer on 50% of the farmland is now unsatisfactory, while on about 10% is critical. This fact affects the productivity of the crops, the development of the animal-breeding sector and the ecological situation and reduces the people’s incomes, especially in rural areas, said the minister. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the annual damage caused by soil degradation to economy is estimated at 3 billion lei. As there is not enough money, the measures to remedy the situation described in the program for 2003-2010 were less than 5% fulfilled. ”The land is Moldova’s main treasure and it should be mentioned that it is for the first time that the Government approves a fertility improvement program that has financial coverage,” said Vasile Bumacov. The program measures will be reviewed every three years. Vasile Bumacov voiced hope that they will manage to allocate by 18 million lei a year afterward as well. The funds will be supplemented with money that will come from foreign donors that will finance investment projects in the field. Among the objectives of the program are to create the automated soil quality information system, exclude the active forms that damage the soil layer, combat erosion and landslides.