More than US$400,000 is to be invested until 2020 in the production of certified grapevines. A memorandum of cooperation to this effect was signed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment of Moldova, the United States Agency for International Development, the National Office of Vine and Wine of Moldova, HEKS Foundation Moldova and the Scientific-Practical Institute of Horticulture and Food Technology on May 31, IPN reports.

In the signing event, Minister of Agriculture Liviu Volconovici said the actions of support in the field are very important for the Republic of Moldova. The certified grapevines will be later distributed to local winegrowers.

Director of the USAID Mission to Moldova Karen R. Hilliard said that by this agreement five signatories assumed the commitment to contribute over US$ 400,000 to rehabilitating the grapevine production laboratory and the hothouses of the Institute and for creating mother plantations for growing grapevines. This will lay the basis for creating mother plantations for producing grapevines free from viruses. In addition to these contributions, the private sector will make similar investments, according to the agreement.

National Office of Vine and Wine director Gheorghe Arpentin noted that one cannot be competitive on international markets in the absence of high-quality scions. Another important moment is the fact that for the first time in the country’s history the private sector intends to contribute on its own initiative.

Director of the Scientific-Practical Institute of Horticulture and Food Technology Constantin Dadu said we cannot speak about modern technology without plants with increased biological qualities.