
Japan plans to expand support to Moldova in the agricultural and processing sectors.
This was discussed during a meeting held by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga with the Vice-President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Hara Shohei during a working visit to Tokyo. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Moldova, the parties confirmed the strong partnership between Moldova and JICA in the field of agricultural development. Ludmila Catlabuga expressed gratitude for the support provided over the years and emphasized the importance of the Modernization of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment (MAME) project, the first loan provided by Japan to Moldova, managed by the Agency for Development and Modernization of Agriculture of the Republic of Moldova (ADMA). The MAME project is intended for farmers, especially small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, willing to invest in increasing productivity by purchasing agricultural machinery and post-harvest processing equipment. Between 2021 and May 2025, the project financed 350 farmers, signing 535 contracts worth over 640.5 million lei. Agricultural producers were given the opportunity to purchase tractors, combines, sorting machines, packaging and processing equipment on preferential terms. In addition to analyzing the results already obtained, interest was expressed in continuing the project. Cooperation ideas focused on digitalization and training were also discussed, including an educational platform for sustainable agriculture, an e-farming project for young farmers, and a professional exchange program with Japanese institutions. //26.05.2025 – InfoMarket.