Moldova needs to take special measures to strengthen support for the agro-industrial complex and change its development strategy - Alexandru Slusari
This opinion was expressed by the former executive director of the "Power of Farmers" association in the context of the controversy that arose over the sale of agricultural land to foreigners. According to him, everyone knows very well that, on the one hand, within the European Union there is a rule of free movement of goods and capital, from which no one can make exceptions, and on the other hand, there is a transition period in the process of joining the EU, when the sale of agricultural land to foreigners remains prohibited. This is done for the sufficient development of the national agro-industrial sector and increasing the competitiveness of local farmers. Alexandru Slusari believes that Moldova's problem is different, and the introduction of a transition period and special measures to strengthen support for the agro-industrial complex depend on two main factors: how much of a priority the industry is for the government and how much pressure, in the good sense of the word, is exerted by local farmers. The former executive director of Farmers' Power believes that Poland, which received a 12-year transition period and huge European funds for the development of agriculture and rural settlements, could be an ideal example for Moldova. Alexandru Slusari noted that, unfortunately, the agro-industrial sector, despite the election promises of 2020-2021, is not a priority for the government, and not a single euro has been received from European funds to support farmers in 3 years. There is no strategy for adapting agriculture to climate change. The government is late with support measures, which are also meager. At the same time, Moldova is experiencing an accelerated process of liquidation of small and medium-sized farmers in rural areas and the consolidation of large transnational companies that are not interested not only in saving villages, but also in introducing a transition period for restrictions on the sale of agricultural land to foreigners. "Without a fundamental change in the strategy for the development of the agro-industrial sector and the prioritization of this sector within the framework of accession to the EU, we risk seeing very soon the sale of our agricultural land to foreigners under the leadership of several transnational companies in collusion with some government officials!", - said the former executive director of the association "Power of Farmers". // 08.10.2024 - InfoMarket.
