Moldova's National Federation of Farmers proposed a bill according to which 1.5% of the GDP would be allotted yearly to the subsidy fund for farmers. Half of the money would be distributed to farming households and the other half to agricultural enterprises through direct payments of 400 lei per farmed hectare, IPN reports.
Federation chairman Valeriu Cosarciuc noted in a talk show on Radio Moldova that the UN declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming. “These farms have a considerable contribution to the development of agriculture, supply the population with the main agrifood products, create jobs and maintain biodiversity. Moreover, they provide equality of chances as both men and women work on these farms”, said Cosarciuc. He added that subsidies for young farmers should be increased by 30%.
Economic analyst Viorel Chivriga thinks the state should support small farming households, especially as some of them are actually efficient. He says it's “strange” that these farms get only 20% of the sum allotted from the state subsidies for farmers.
Gheorghe Malcoci, head of a family farm in Horesti village, Ialoveni district, said that it wasn't easy to run a family business in agriculture. “Last year, we got a little income from our vineyards. Cereal prices are down and we also tried to grow flowers, but people pay more for food than flowers. Anyway, we're still optimistic. I have three children, they all stayed home and we work together”, said the farmer.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said that because of society's traditional beliefs it is hard to admit that a small farm can be productive, but such examples exist in Moldova and the attitude is changing.
The official noted that efforts will be made to increase the capacity of small farms so that they could access more funds and benefit from the European experience. These efforts are encouraged both by the International Year of Family Farming and by the signing of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU.
According to data from the National Federation of Farmers, 436,000 Moldovans are working in agriculture, which accounts for one third of the employed population. Family farms and other family-run enterprises amount to 70% of all active agricultural enterprises.
