The aromatic and medicinal plants sector does not enjoy enough support from the authorities. While other fields, such as fruit or winemaking, are promoted through various events and the implementation of quality standards, the aromatic and medicinal plants sector often remains marginalized. This reality was underlined by Alexandru Bădărău, former director of the Association of Lavender Producers of Moldova. According to him, farmers recognize the importance of diversifying the sector, but affirm that the support provided to different branches of agriculture is not distributed fairly.
At a news conference hosted by IPN, Alexandru Bădărău said that the sector of medicinal and aromatic plants is not sufficiently supported and promoted by the authorities. Following visits he made to European countries, where he exchanged experience with professionals from the field, he returned to Moldova with a series of proposals aimed at supporting farmers who want to grow aromatic and medicinal plants. All efforts to convince the authorities of the importance of developing this sector were in vain.
Alexandru Bădărău noted that the state can develop only if it creates favorable conditions for doing business. The government already borrows from domestic resources to cover a budget deficit of over 1.5 billion lei, but it uses this money not to invest in economic sectors that can generate value and, subsequently, ensure the return of investments through taxes, but to cover current expenses. In his opinion, these means are wasted. While the state makes long-term investments, agricultural businesses go bankrupt and such a policy cannot be correct.
Cătălina Negoiță owns an artisan pastry and confectionery shop. The entrepreneur set out to produce healthy bread, replacing yeast with sourdough that is naturally fermented, without chemical additives. To increase the amount of protein in the final product, she wanted to add cannabis, but farmers in the country still are not allowed to grow hemp and the imported cannabis remained the only option. As a PhD student, Cătălina Negoiță published multiple articles demonstrating the beneficial properties of edible and medicinal cannabis. The Romanian state long ago understood the value of this product and Romanian farmers can grow hemp, while in the Republic of Moldova this field remains neglected. The businesswoman voiced hope that the authorities will follow the example of Romania and the local businesses could use local raw materials, not imported ones.
The conference was held within the framework of the project “Double integration through cooperation and information. Continuity”, which is implemented by IPN News Agency with funding from the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova of the Government of Romania. The content of this article does not represent the official position of the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova.
