More than a thousand farmers in Moldova will benefit from support until 2026 under a new project launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the support of the Government of Japan. The initiative comes against the backdrop of frequent droughts and the difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine on the agricultural sector, IPN reports.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, the project will support both crop and livestock farmers by promoting climate-smart practices and the introduction of drought-resistant sorghum crops.

Secretary of State Iurie Scripnic said that this type of crop can help support farmers during periods of severe drought, while also providing solutions for animal feed: “we have identified sorghum as a promising drought-tolerant crop that can also support the livestock sector with both seed and silage”.

Japan’s Ambassador to Moldova, Yamada Yoichiro Yamada, said that helping farmers is part of a strategic approach to withstand the current climate challenges: “FAO and Japan are intensifying their collaboration to provide sustainable solutions that not only provide the necessary livelihoods but also develop a stable food production system.

FAO Deputy Representative in Moldova, Tudor Robu, emphasized that the project aims not only to respond quickly to the crisis, but also to strengthen farmers’ long-term resilience: “We aim to improve productivity and adaptive capacity, enabling farmers to better cope with the impacts of climate change.

The total value of the project is estimated at 560 000 dollars. In order to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the proposed measures, extensive collaboration with local organizations, public administrations, research institutions and authorities, including the National Agency for Food Safety, will be emphasized.

The new project is a continuation of a previous collaboration between FAO and Japan, under which more than 3 600 vulnerable households were assisted in 2023-2024. The new program continues support measures through solutions that increase the resilience of the entire agricultural sector.

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