Alexandr Slusari, former MP and ex-director of the "Farmers' Force" Association, warns that the 2025 agricultural year could be even drier than the previous one. According to his analysis, most regions of the country may face drought for the fourth consecutive year, IPN reports.
Slusari criticizes the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry for focusing on "utopian and completely useless projects, such as agricultural chambers," instead of developing a specialized strategy to adapt agriculture to climate change.
In his view, this strategy should systematically address the issue and implement comprehensive measures. One of these measures would be declaring a climate crisis in the agricultural sector and establishing a solidarity fund with the help of external partners to stabilize the situation.
Additionally, the strategy should promote conservation agriculture, which involves minimal soil tillage and maximum moisture retention. It should also include testing and gradually transitioning to drought-resistant crop varieties.
Slusari believes large-scale rehabilitation of irrigation systems is necessary, along with subsidies for small-scale irrigation. Authorities should also simplify the process of obtaining irrigation permits and allow the use of artesian wells for irrigation.
The expert argues that the strategy must ensure the development of a drought insurance and reinsurance system, with the state playing a major role in both covering insurance premiums and compensating farmers for losses.
According to Slusari, time is running out, as dozens of farmers are already facing insolvency, and this year could be the last for hundreds more.
"Unfortunately, the Minister remains in the shadow of Mr. Bolea, who was and still is the government's champion of demagogy and feeding TV moderators empty promises," the former MP stated.
When contacted by IPN for a response, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Media and Communication Service said they would provide a statement later.
