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Moldovan Farmers Stage Protests Demanding Drought Relief

Moldovan farmers from several districts, including Hâncești, Telenești, Căușeni, and Criuleni, took to national roads in protest on Friday.

Farmers
Sursa: Farmers' Force/ video-capture

These demonstrations echo those that began earlier in Cahul, highlighting mounting frustration with the government's response to the devastating 2022 drought.

Financial Distress and Unmet Promises

Farmers are particularly concerned about the lack of promised financial assistance and subsidised fuel. Nicolae Sprîncean, a Criuleni farmer cultivating over 1,500 hectares, lost roughly 50% of his crop to the drought. He, along with his brothers, haven't received either the government-promised subsidies or free fuel offered by Romania. Facing imminent spring planting, Sprîncean fears insolvency: "The government and the Ministry of Agriculture are leading us to ruin. We need resources for fuel and inputs, but no bank grants loans, and the ministry dialogue offers no solutions."

Vitalie Istrati, another Criuleni farmer, suffered similar losses, losing 60% of his crop and lacking finances for the upcoming season. He echoes Sprîncean's concerns: "Financial means for fuel and inputs are absent, hindering our ability to start anew. No dialogue exists between farmers and the ministry, leaving us helpless."

Government Allocation and Eligibility Concerns

While the Ministry of Agriculture hasn't commented on the protests, Agriculture Minister Vladimir Bolea announced last week a 50 million lei allocation to aid drought-stricken farmers. However, this assistance only reaches those with over 60% crop losses, leaving many feeling excluded.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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