5,500 crop fields damaged by flooding

Some 6,900 crop fields have been reported flooded, in 5,500 of which crops perished unharvested, Agriculture Minister Anatolie Gorodenco informed Tuesday evening. After the damages are estimated, the district agencies of the ministry will draw up lists for recipients of aid in the form of foods of basic need. The Minister said farmers unaffected by flooding have been urged to offer grain in aid to the victims. The donations will be collected at the 29 state-run bakeries across the country, while the Agency for Public Procurement and Humanitarian Aid will make sure that the goods reach the right destinations. Anatolie Gorodenco remarked that, generally, first-group cereal crops haven't been affected, as the output amounts to 1,560 tonnes, including 1,200 tonnes of wheat. This year's output of food wheat is smaller, but enough to cover the demand. Gorodenco went on to add that much of the 533,000ha planted with cereal crops were harvested, with 49,000ha left in northern Moldova.