The production of sunflower seeds and grain for reproduction his year has been by 10% higher than the demand. Thus, the needs of seeds will be satisfied from internal production, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said during a press tour at the Chetrosu experimental station, IPN reports.

The official said the seeds crop this year will be about 140,000 tonnes. Vasile Bumacov said that in the past Moldova was the largest seed producer in the USSR. This sector has been neglected over the last few years and thus they demanded amending the legislation and adopting a law on seeds that would regulate the growing, harvesting, processing and certification of seeds. When this law is adopted, the framers will be less exposed to the danger of buying seeds of a poor quality.

The minister said the hybrids grown in Moldova are more resistant to the weather conditions typical of the region and to pests. Furthermore, the price of seeds is more reasonable. The Chetrosu experimental station produces new hybrids. Students of the Agrarian University are doing internship there.

For the farmers to better know the Moldovan seeds, the Ministry of Agriculture launched a series of seminars on the issue. The farmers are able to see themselves how the seeds develop on demonstrative fields. Within the press tour, the journalists attended a seminar on the subject in Olanesti, Stefan-Voda.

According to the National Food Safety Agency, this year the Agency’s inspectors registered and certified about 90,000 hectares for growing seeds for reproduction.