The drought affected about 60% of the field winter crops, as the preliminary local data collected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment show. Even if the wheat harvest will be lower, the authorities assure the country’s food security is not in danger.
Minister of Agriculture Ion Perju has told IPN that they continue to receive data from the local level and six-seven districts are yet to furnish information. The assessment process was extended also due to the rain, which is surely welcome.
Ion Perju noted that practically all the fields were stricken, but this does not mean that there will be no crop. They say the crop is compromised when a producer plans to collect 3 tonnes, but will not gather even 1 tonne per hectare. The situation now is different.
According to the minister, he travelled with colleagues from northern to southern Moldova and saw very good fields in the southern districts, which were the worst hit. The lack of precipitation affected primarily the southeastern districts, including Basarabeasca, Taraclia, Ștefan Vodă, and Căușeni. The preliminary picture shows that about 2,000 hectares were cultivated again. Most of the producers sowed corn.
Ion Perju also said that if the crop is lower, the county’s food security will be anyway ensured. About 350,000 tonnes of wheat are yearly needed, 90,000 of which for sowing. The calculations are done for a population of 4.2 million. Last year, the harvest was of about 1.1 million tonnes of food and fodder wheat, but this year there will be at least 500,000-600,000 tonnes. The state reserve also contains wheat. The food security will be ensured from the new harvest, but not much will remain for export.
