FAO report on losses caused by drought will include forecasts for 2008

The evaluation report on the losses caused to Moldova’s agriculture by this summer’s extreme weather conditions, conducted by the experts of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will comprise a thorough study of the impact of drought on the economy and population, including aspects of macroeconomics, trade, reduction of incomes, import and export price hikes, as well as forecasts for the agricultural year 2008. The FAO Mission, headed by Henri Josserand met with Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Anatolie Gorodenco who asked also the involvement of FAO experts in working out the draft National Strategy on the Sustainable Development of the Agro-industrial Sector of Moldova. FAO Mission will work in Moldova until August 20 when it will present to the community of donors the report on the evaluation of the losses caused by drought. Moldova has already asked for 300 thousand tonnes of agrifood production from the international donors as humanitarian aid which is to be distributed to the farmers and to the disadvantaged population. The Moldovan Government solicited wheat flour – 72.2 thousand tonnes, rye flour – 9.5 thousand tonnes, potatoes – about 90 thousand tonnes, meat – about 40 thousand tonnes, etc. The Government of Romania decided recently to send humanitarian aid totalling EUR 150-200 thousand. Greece decided to offer Moldova a financial aid worth EUR 100 thousand, and Lithuania – EUR 120 thousand. Other countries have also announced the intention to support the Government of Moldova. The losses caused by drought so far are estimated at about MDL 12 bln (USD 1 bln).