In recent years, agriculture in Moldova has faced multiple difficulties, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, declared Agriculture Minister Vladimir Bolea during hearings in Parliament.
According to the official, the war has reshaped all logistical export routes from Moldova. By February 2022, up to 75% of grain exports went through Ukrainian ports. They were diverted by land routes, causing huge queues and high logistical costs. This was compounded by a collapse of grain prices and an increase in input and fuel prices.
In this context, says Vladimir Bolea, the authorities have come up with a series of measures to support the affected farmers. 200 million lei was allocated to support micro and small farmers who sowed crops in the fall of 2022. Most recently, the state has identified and allocated 50 million lei for the farmers worst affected by the 2023 drought, practically all from the south of the country. Applications for aid can be submitted to AIPA already today.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry was invited to the Parliament for hearings by a deputy of the Action and Solidarity Party. The proposal was practically unanimously supported, including by the opposition. Deputies from the Bloc of Communists and Socialists, as well as those not affiliated, criticized the authorities’ measures for the agricultural sector.
“The Ministry of Agriculture is supposed to not only deal with the payment of money to farmers, but also formulate policies and, if the policies are correct, then the country is supplied with food products and food security is ensured”, declared the socialist deputy Radu Mudreac.