The reaping of pea is underway in Moldova. Producers say they gather by 6 tonnes of peas a hectare and the harvest is higher than last year. About 20,000 hectares have been sowed with pea this year, IPN reports.
The pea is collected by automated combines, but the recent rain hampered the harvest as the plants were downed owing to the heavy pods. When the seeds are taken out of pods, they are taken to the plants to be canned. The first peas canned this year will be available from stores in 12 days.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov told the journalists that the quantity of peas produced in Moldova is lower than desired. The authorities put emphasis on products with value added and make effort to promote chain production – sowing – harvesting – processing and then export.
The minister said the state must develop programs to stimulate exports and promote the national products. The Ministry of Agriculture will soon start to implement a project that will enable the farmers to purchase irrigation equipment.
During a press tour, a national producer said that 80% of the quantity of peas he grows and processes is exported. Large Russian companies purchase canned peas in Moldova, put their labels on them and sell them under their brand. After the pea is harvested, the land is sowed with corn that is gathered by winter.
The pea harvest this year is expected to be 120,000 tonnes. The straws are used to feed animals.
