The sixth program of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Moldova, for 2014-2020, was launched today, September 25. The program has a budget of US$26 million, IPN reports.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said on this occasion that Moldova managed to become the country that implements the IFAD-funded projects the best. Since 2000 until now, the farmers benefitted from loans and grants to the value of over US$60 million.

The minister noted that IFAD VI is welcome especially now when the Moldovan farmers consume more investments. Within the program, there will be offered grants for supporting investments in agriculture and forestry and created 12 field schools with demonstration plots for training agricultural producers. Grants will be also provided for purchasing agricultural machinery, while about 80 farmers and economic entities will go on fact-finding visits to partners abroad. There will be set up protection wood strips and pasture areas on at least 400 hectares of land.

In the launch of the new program, new IFAD Manager for Moldova Dina Saleh said they are making effort to attract other partners that would support the development of agriculture in Moldova.

Of the total budget of the program, US$16.1 million represents the loan, US$0.5 million - the grant financed by IFAD, US$5.27 million – the grant financed by the Government of Denmark, while US$4.26 million – the grant co-financed by IFAD and the Global Environment Fund.

The budget of IFAD V was planned for a five-year period, but was used up two years.