The farmer in Moldova came into possession of 104 pieces of irrigation equipment purchased as part of the European Commission’s Food Safety Program with the support of the Japan-funded 2KR Project. The action forms part of the Program for the Rehabilitation and Extension of Irrigation Networks in Moldova for 2008-2025, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the presidential press service. The offered equipment includes mobile irrigation equipment, pumping stations, drip irrigation systems. The 104 pieces of irrigation equipment will enable to extend the irrigated areas by 1,700 hectares, President of Moldova Vladimir Voronin said at the equipment transmission ceremony. The Head of the European Commission’s Delegation to Moldova, Cesare de Montis, pointed to the efficient cooperation in implementing the Food Safety Program. He urged the Moldovan partners to persevere with the modernization and continuous development of the agricultural sector so as to obtain food products of a high quality that are competitive on the European market. The 125,000 existent hectares of irrigation networks will be rehabilitated and another 58,000 hectares of new irrigation networks will be built during the first stage of the program covering the period of 2008-2015. The total area of irrigated fields will reach about 200,000 hectares. Until 2025, the irrigated areas will be extended to 450,000-500,000 hectares.