Agriculture is the engine of Moldovan economy, but the government puts a brake on it and this brake should be removed, considers the co-chairman of the People’s Party of the Republic of Moldova (PPRM) Valeriu Cosarciuc. In a news conference at IPN, the politician reiterated that the PPRM put forward a set of proposals for improving the situation in agriculture, but the government accepted only some of them. These several proposals haven’t been yet passed by Parliament.
Valeriu Cosarciuc said the PPRM always promoted the idea that the farmers should be treated equally. The current formula for managing the agriculture subsidization fund does not benefit the peasant farmsteads. “Though 68% of the global agricultural production is ensured by peasant farmsteads, they account for only 20% of the subsidization fund. The rest of the money goes to large companies,” he stated.
The PPRM insists that the farmers should have equal access to subsidies, while the adopted laws should encourage the development of agriculture. “The PPRM has an efficient agricultural recovery program. A market should be ensured for selling Moldovan agricultural products. Our agriculture can produce sufficient food for the entire population. The agricultural policy of the current political class led to a decline in production and we import unhealthy products, which endanger the safety of the Moldovan families,” stated Valeriu Cosarciuc.
Among the proposals of the PPRM are to increase the subsidization fund to minimum 1.5 billion lei and to adopt the law on guaranteeing of agricultural loans to ensure the independence of farmers.
The PPRM also suggests that the beginning farmers should be exempted from taxes until the business yields profit, while the young farmers who start a business in rural areas should be offered a premium of €20,000.
Valeriu Cosarciuc said the PPRM has asked for the construction of an agro-industrial center for a long time, but the government only makes promises. He voiced hope that at least the bill on the liberalization of the oil products market will be adopted as it will help the farmers to save 600 million lei.
On November 24, there was marked the Farmers’ Day. Celebrations on this occasion will be held on November 30. Valeriu Cosarciuc congratulated the farmers in the name of the People’s Party, wishing then to be united and to achieve success in their business.
