The whole agrifood sector will be how covered by Moldova’s Orchard Project. The farmers are invited to file applications for loans as from January 1, 2024. The modification is stipulated in the financing contract between the Republic of Moldova and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for implementing Moldova’s Orchard Project, which was ratified by Parliament on December 7, IPN reports.

Andrian Digolean, secretary of state of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, in a press briefing said that about 530 business entities benefitted from loans as part of this project in 2016-2023. The investments were made in particular in postharvest technology, horticultural products processing infrastructure, winemaking and winegrowing, horticultural planation protection and care systems.

According to Andrian Digolean, the move is aimed at remedying the situation in all the areas of the agrifood sector. The eligible animal-breeding activities were extended. The farmers will be able to take out loans to grow animals and to process animal products. Investments will be made in the production of grain crops and technical crops. Emphasis will be laid on the development of aquaculture, apiculture and tourism. The horticultural sector and the wine industry remain eligible.

Iurie Brumărel, director of Moldova’s Orchard Project, said the resources are limited to about 500 million lei from the EIB funds and it is planned that besides investment projects from the portfolio, there will also be financed projects from the animal-breeding and grain farming sectors.

The minimum amount of financing is €5,000, while the maximum one is €5 million per beneficiary. The grace period is four years, while the maximum repayment period is 10 years. All the tax concessions are in place.