The Japan International Cooperation Agency aims to support the cultivation of greens in Moldova by the hydroponic method, which is without planting them in soil. Acting Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov has told IPN that the given initiative will serve as an example for the national entrepreneurs. A feasibility study is made with the support of the Japanese Government. If the result is positive, Moldova will benefit from investments of US$12 million.

“We had a meeting with representatives of Mirai Co. based in Tokyo. It is one of the first companies that developed this method to cultivate salad. Hydroponics is a new method of intensive cultivation of greens, used for the first time in Japan. It is based on methods applied in 1957. There are used no chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Several harvests can be obtained during a year. For example, the salad can be harvested up to 20 times a year. The growing speed is twice higher than when using the traditional methods,” said the official.

Vasile Bumacov also said that the consumption of vegetables will thus increase in Moldova and this method is very good for being applied. “It is an interesting idea that offers a promising cooperation prospect. We will be able to export vegetables, not only to cultivate them for internal consumption,” he stated.

Japan supports a number of projects in Moldova. The first is 2KR that allowed the Moldovan farmers to purchase agricultural machinery in advantageous conditions. The construction of a pellet factory is the most recent project.