Two new bodies were constituted following the reorganization of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. Minister Vladimir Bolea in a press briefing said that the two bodies are the Food Industry Division and the Market Prices Analysis Service, IPN reports.

According to the official, the move is extremely important for realizing the economic potential of Moldova’s agriculture, especially in conditions of competition in the Black See Basin.

Vladimir Bolea said that since this January, he has dealt with the reorganization and strengthening of the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA). The process of doubling the number of employees, from 75 to 150, was completed.

It also goes to the rise in salaries. The official noted that the Ministry of Agriculture has an agreement at Government level for a decision to this effect to be supported the next time the state budget is amended, by the end of July. “The low salaries make the available jobs unattractive and lead to the lack of personal motivation,” stated Vladimir Bolea.

New budget lines were planned for strengthening the AIPA. A US$55 million loan agreement will be signed with the World Bank on June 5. Of this sum, US$6.5 million will go to strengthen the AIPA and the National Food Safety Agency.