Northern Moldovan Entrepreneur Saves Orchards with EU and Government Support

03.03.2025 16:25
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3 minute(s)

Zoia Romaniuc, manager of the "Romaniuc Zoia" peasant farm, has cultivated apple, cherry, and plum orchards with her family for over 25 years. Their orchards span approximately 25 hectares in Codreni village, Vălcineț commune, Ocnita district, in northern Moldova.

The family exports most of their harvest, facing constant demands to adapt to foreign market standards. To modernize and ensure sustainability, they sought solutions to mitigate challenges affecting their production.

One pressing issue was the shortage of technical water. "Water scarcity affects everyone, not just farmers, but we experience it more acutely. After analyzing the programs offered by ODA, we decided to join the Greening Project to construct a water storage pond," Zoia Romaniuc explained.

Through the Small and Medium Enterprises Greening Program, funded by the Moldovan Government and the European Union via ODA, the Romaniuc family secured a grant of 478,025 lei. This funding allowed them to build a water collection basin, a critical resource for mitigating drought risks.

"This project is vital, especially during droughts. We utilize every drop of water, making it easier to overcome challenges," Romaniuc emphasized.

She thanked the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development, the Moldovan Government, and the European Union for their support. "Without learning about this organization and its opportunities, surviving and growing would have been much harder. Thanks to this support, we achieved our goals shortly," she said.

The investments by the European Union and the Moldovan Government demonstrate that Moldovan agriculture can become internationally competitive by adopting innovative solutions.

The Romaniuc family plans to modernize their orchards further, implement advanced irrigation systems, and develop super-intensive orchards in the coming years.

In 2024, the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development supported around 600 companies with grants totaling over 250 million lei, including 180 million lei from the state budget and over 50 million lei from EU funds.

From 2022, the ODA has invested in greening and water resource management for approximately 70 beneficiaries across Moldova, contributing to sustainable agricultural development.

The Greening Program provides non-reimbursable financial support of up to 500,000 lei for small and medium enterprises, requiring a minimum 30% contribution from the business toward the project's value.