Moldova’s government approves financial support for farmers, but farmers are not satisfied
Farmers in Moldova are protesting the government's response to the crises of 2022. They say that the two regulations on aid for farmers affected by the crises and the one on the distribution of 4,000 tons of diesel fuel to farmers are not enough. They are also calling on the authorities to resolve the issue of exporting grain from Ukraine through the Giurgiulești port.
The government has approved a procedure to provide financial support to farmers who have been affected by the crises of 2022. The support will help farmers to overcome their precarious situation, avoid insolvency, and ensure food security.
The financial support will be provided to farmers who have prepared the soil and sown crops from the first group (wheat, barley, oats, and triticale). These crops are the basis of socially important products and are also used in animal feed. The current price offered for these types of goods does not cover the investments, and farmers risk not being able to meet their contractual commitments.
"The provision of financial support will help around 3,000 farmers, who own up to 1,500 hectares of land. These aids will facilitate the cultivation of around 280,000 hectares of land sown with crops from the first group, according to statistical declarations. The calculation and provision of assistance within a short period of time will facilitate and amplify the actions of farmers, ensuring continuity of the food chain”, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea said.
The assistance will be calculated by the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture on the basis of the submitted applications. The method of calculating the assistance will be carried out after identifying the eligible areas per applicant and the category coefficient, depending on the managed areas.
The Moldovan government's decision to provide financial support to small farmers is a welcome step that will help to ensure food security in the country. The support will help farmers to overcome the challenges they are facing and will ensure that they are able to continue to produce food for the Moldovan people.
However, farmers are not satisfied with the government's response and are protesting. They say that the two regulations on aid for farmers affected by the crises and the one on the distribution of 4,000 tons of diesel fuel to farmers are not enough. They are also calling on the authorities to resolve the issue of exporting grain from Ukraine through the Giurgiulești port.
Government representatives say that the government is still looking for solutions to help farmers. At the end of last week, a meeting was held in Galați, Romania, attended by representatives from the Republic of Moldova, the United States, the European Union, Romania, and Ukraine. Vladimir Bolea presented a list of concrete proposals for improving the export situation for both Moldovan and Ukrainian farmers.
