Drought and low profits push Moldovan farmers from cereals to orchards
Drought, high price volatility, and the increasing uncertainty surrounding the profitability of field crops are prompting more farmers to seek safer alternatives for the future. In Jora de Sus, located in the Orhei district, farmer Dumitru Ghilinschii has decided to invest in fruit cultivation. He believes that growing fruit trees provides greater long-term stability compared to cultivating cereal crops.
After years of working in a local nursery, Dumitru Ghilinschii decided to put his experience to good use by planting a plum and cherry orchard covering 10 hectares.
"We determined that it would be more profitable to grow an orchard, as taking care of it yields more income. We are researching the market to understand consumer preferences. We planted ten hectares of plum trees and two hectares of cherry trees," said farmer Dumitru Ghilinschii during an interview on the show "Pământ și Oameni" on Moldova 1 TV.
The selection of seedlings was based on a thorough analysis of the soil and market demand. The quality of the seedlings is crucial; a weak tree, if planted incorrectly, can result in low production.
"Planting an orchard begins with essential groundwork. Plowing should be done to a depth of 50-60 centimeters to break up the soil crust. New roots are sensitive and need to penetrate deeply to establish a strong grip," explained agronomist Mihai Cebotari.
To ensure the quality of the seedlings, Dumitru Ghilinschii chose to grow them himself.
"It is a lengthy process that requires a lot of patience and time. The process begins in the fall, and the trees are ready for harvest in the third year. Growing a tree demands significant manual labor, and currently, finding sufficient labor is challenging," Dumitru Ghilinschii noted.
Despite facing climatic and economic challenges, the farmer from Orhei is hopeful that the new orchard will generate income and provide long-term stability.
