Vladimir Bolea: "Perhaps it makes sense to prohibit at the legislative level to grow certain crops in certain regions."
During a press conference on Monday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry said that farmers should change their approach to business planning. He said low productivity and reluctance to cooperate are farmers' main problems, not the lack of funds and support. "I am sure that in the fall the issue of subsidies for the second group crops - sunflower, corn - will arise again in the south of Moldova. It is clear to everyone that for the last 2 thousand years in the south of Moldova the amount of precipitation is at the level of 200-300 mm, and corn needs 580-600 mm for growth. It may be necessary to establish at the legislative level that if a region receives less than 500-550 mm of precipitation, corn cannot be planted there. If you do not have an agronomist who would tell you this, we will establish it centrally, at the legislative level," said Vladimir Bolea. He also gave an example of how multi-million investments aimed at solving the problem of agrarians were not used. Thus, after the drought of 2020, irrigation systems were restored in a number of settlements, but farmers did not use them, while demanding compensation for damage. Such farmers will not be able to receive compensation. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that the problems in the agricultural sector should be considered comprehensively. "If a farmer has 300-400 hectares of land, and buys a combine harvester and other equipment on credit, he already enters the business with excessive debts; he is a slave of the bank from the very beginning. How can he cover his expenses with such debts? This is an unsustainable business from the very beginning. But it is possible to create a cooperative at the district level and use one combine harvester or other machinery that works a few days a year. In Moldova, unfortunately, agriculture is a seasonal activity: the wheat crop is harvested, some of it is sold, some of it is stored, and for the next 11 months we have to invest money and cover current expenses, pay loans, without making a profit. Agrarians should create related activities," said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture. // 28.08.2023 – InfoMarket
