Moldova irrigation system gets €67m boost for drought-hit farmers
A major irrigation system in central Moldova is set for a significant upgrade. The Criulenii de Sus centralised irrigation system's existing facilities are functional but operate at a low capacity due to outdated infrastructure.
The project is funded by a €49m loan from the French Development Agency and an investment grant of more than €18m from the European Union.
The aim is for the system to cover nearly 1,800 hectares, but currently only 1,300 are being irrigated. The worn-out pipelines and related infrastructure lead to frequent disruptions, costing farmers more.
Farmer Veaceslav Manole says they face drought problems every year, which impacts the quality and price of crops. "We are already planning to connect and extend the system to our orchard. It will help us achieve both quality and quantity," he says.
The system was completely non-operational in 2019, until a USAID-funded project helped an association of 20 farmers restart it.
Eugen Popic, president of the Criulenii de Sus water users' association, says the system now allows water to be pumped up to five kilometres. "A pipeline is currently being rehabilitated to reach the land of a farmer five kilometres away. He has invested in building a water collection basin and is planning to grow fruit and berries on a protected plot."
The French Development Agency will also help to rehabilitate a second system at Călinești in the Fălești district.
A number of projects have been launched by the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to rehabilitate centralised irrigation systems, according to Vasile Șarban, a state secretary at the Ministry. "Where we are now, we're talking about the French Development Agency. A third project, with the help of the EBRD, will rehabilitate three systems in the south of the country, where water is most needed."
In total, only 24 of Moldova's roughly 90 irrigation systems were functional last year.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
