The government will borrow $55 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to invest in the development of agriculture, under a loan agreement signed by Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea and Inguna Dobraja, World Bank country manager for Moldova. The resources will be directed to increase farmers’ incomes, create new jobs and implement smart agricultural practices.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry said in a press release that about $21 million is expected to be awarded to farmers in the form of grants to stimulate initiatives for promoting and developing the livestock and horticultural sector. Another $25 million will be directed to the rehabilitation of primary and secondary irrigation infrastructure. $6.5 million will go to strengthen the capacities of the Agricultural Intervention and Subsidies Agency and the National Food Safety Agency, as well as to support the establishment of the Agricultural Consultancy Center and Veterinary Centers of Excellence. Around $2.5 million will be used for project management.
“It is a very important financing program and long awaited by our farmers. The document integrates the areas and priority directions of intervention for the sustainable development of agriculture. We are talking about AIPA’s strengthening processes and the Agency’s preparation to be able to access European funds. We are talking about ANSA, which must guarantee the harmlessness of food products. At the same time, with this program we aim to increase the potential of the livestock sector and increase the number of highly productive cows”, said Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Agriculture Vladimir Bolea.
During the Agreement signing ceremony, Inguna Dobraja noted that the new project strengthens the commitment and cooperation of the World Bank Group with the Republic of Moldova in the field of reforms in the agricultural sector. It will run in Moldova until 2029.
