
The Ministry of Agriculture along with the government is developing a package of urgent measures to reduce the negative impact of the current multiple crises on farmers.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vladimir Bolea announced this at a briefing on Monday. He also noted that Moldova’s banks are open to cooperation with Moldovan farmers affected by severe drought, energy and other crises, and are ready to discuss individually with each farmer the debt reschedule, as well as interested in the overall increase in lending package to farmers. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture said that the share of agricultural loans now stands at 7.1% of the total volume, and this figure is small, and there is potential for growth of lending to farmers. Vladimir Bolea also reminded that the authorities subsidize part of the interest on loans to agricultural producers and in the current conditions of multiple crises they are ready to increase the level of subsidization of these interest rates to reduce the burden on farmers. In addition, importers of fertilizers and chemicals are willing to re-schedule debts for products supplied to farmers, but only for debts accumulated this year, not historical ones. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture also said that, thanks to agreements with the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service will not apply penalties for the payment of taxes to the budget by farmers and will individually coordinate with each economic agent the issues of debt rescheduling and debt payment. Vladimir Bolea noted that the Ministry of Agriculture is ready to intervene in the relations of farmers with the tax service, banks and business entities to solve these and other current problems. According to him, the agricultural department is making the necessary efforts to ensure the Moldova’s food security, guarantee quality products at affordable prices, prepare for the new agricultural season, compensate for farmers’ losses due to the severe drought, etc. // 05.09.2022 – InfoMarket