2013 Agriculture Budget increased by 60%

The 2013 Agriculture Budget Bill provides by nearly more 60% funds for agriculture than this year. Agriculture Minister Vasile Bumacov has told Info-Prim Neo the funds will be used to mitigate the effects of this year's drought. “162 million will go to compensate damages caused by the drought and 60 million lei will provide funding for pilot projects. 12 million lei will go to buy feed and 60 other million will go to supplement the farmer subsidization program”, said the Minister. As estimated by the Agriculture Ministry together with FAO and UNDP experts, this year's drought has caused damages of 2.5 billion lei to the Moldovan agriculture, with the most affected districts being Cahul, Cantemir, Causeni, Taraclia and the Gaguz autonomy. The Government has decided to offer subsidies of 200 lei per hectare to help farmers with the autumn sowing. Similar aid will be offered in spring. The needs for subsidies will be evaluated by the Agency for Payments and Interventions in Agriculture.