The Ministry of Agriculture of Moldova will take prompt measures to assess and mitigate the effects of frosts
This was reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, noting that the department has scheduled two meetings for April 17: one with representatives of district agricultural departments and the other with professional associations of the sector. Then, the information from the territories will be analyzed and consultations with farmers will be organized, since it is too early to assess the impact of frosts predicted for the coming days, and a longer period of data collection is needed. This is done by district agricultural departments, and this information is known to professional associations. The Ministry of Agriculture said that it is constantly looking for new ways to support farmers. Within the framework of the Budget Plus program, the National Fund for Agriculture and Rural Development was replenished with 200 million lei, which provides additional financial assistance to farmers. At the same time, the Economic Growth Plan, financed by the European Union, provides 300 million euros for investments in agriculture, which confirms the priority that the state gives to the agricultural sector, peasant farms and farmers throughout the country. The Ministry of Agriculture reminded that through its subordinate institutions: the Agency for Interventions and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) and the Agency for Development and Modernization of Agriculture (ADMA), subsidies are provided and preferential conditions for the purchase of agricultural machinery are in place. The state supports investments in frost protection systems, subsidizing 50% of the cost of the relevant investments through AIPA. Herewith, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry encourages farmers to insure their crops, noting that the state subsidizes up to 70% of the insurance premium. In 2024, 502 applications were submitted, and through subsidy mechanisms, AIPA has already paid over 61 million lei from the state budget to cover insurance premiums. Over the past 3 years, state support for agriculture has steadily increased, exceeding 6 billion lei. Subsidies were provided for small irrigation systems, and with the support of donors, the rehabilitation of 3 centralized irrigation systems was launched. With financial support from the government, farmers have expanded the area of perennial plantings protected by rain and hail protection equipment to 961 hectares. Also, with government support, 402 farms have been repaired and modernized over the past 3 years, and for the first time since 2021, subsidies are provided per head of animal and per kilogram of product. // 10.04.2025 – InfoMarket.
