"Moldovan citizens should not have to worry about food security during the pandemic, in the context of this summer's drought. However, Moldovans must gather some financial reserves", said the former prime minister, currently a businessman, Ion Sturza.
"We shouldn't have to worry about food security, because we are not alone in this world and we don't have a closed economy. Food deficit is not an issue. Food will be available; however, it may be more expensive, harder to access and probably of foreign production", said Ion Sturza on a PRO TV talk show.
In this context, the former prime minister urged the population to make certain financial reserves. "From the food security point of view, I do not see a problem. Food may be expensive, which is expected in drought conditions. We have to make some financial reserves and to consume less, because very hard times are ahead of us", added Ion Sturza.
In regard to this year's drought, the businessman said that experts in the field compare the current agricultural season with the season of 1946.
"If this happens next year, we will face a rather difficult situation. The authorities portray the 150 million lei agricultural stimulus package as a great achievement, while the industry actually needed at least 500 million", said Ion Sturza.
The damage caused by the drought to wheat crops exceeds 700 million lei, while damages to barley and rapeseed crops are estimated at one hundred million lei each. In total, of 415 thousand hectares sown in autumn, 180 thousand hectares of wheat, barley and rapeseed were negatively affected in a proportion of 60% or more. Compared to the total area, 60% of almost 43% of land were negatively affected. The data were presented by Prime Minister Ion Chicu at the end of July 2020.
