FAO presents first study on development of e-commerce platform in Moldova

Chisinau, 8 October /MOLDPRES/- The creation in the Republic of Moldova of a single online trade platform for small agricultural producers, the support of returned migrants - are the main conclusions of the first feasibility study on the development of an e-commerce platform for small and medium agricultural producers in our country, including migrants, launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Moldova (FAO).

According to the research, the online trading platform would be the safe option for small agricultural producers to sell their harvest, increase their profit and minimize their dependence on multiple intermediaries, which is indispensable in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted the vulnerabilities of the national economy, farmers being broken by the market and left virtually without sources of income.

„The Republic of Moldova has technical knowledge, capabilities and full potential for the development or development of online trading platforms, according to the needs of producers and the realities of the consumer market. A common online marketplace sales platform would have a better chance of success than a multitude of online stores of each manufacturer. The single platform could ensure greater efficiency in terms of promotion, management, maintenance and continuous development, ”said Victor Guzun, FAO digital business expert and co-author of the study.

The study analyzed the implementation of a solution developed from scratch and a solution based on one of the existing platforms in the country. The challenges and constraints on the operation of existing platforms were also analyzed, proposing a portfolio of interventions needed to ensure the success of new or existing platforms.

"Research shows that most small agricultural producers do not have the necessary skills to conduct online commerce, which means that more attention must be paid to digital education - a decisive factor in the success of online sales. To support the development of skills, we intend to launch a series of educational podcasts for migrants returning to the country and are employed in agricultural business, as well as to offer training in digital media ", said Jana Midoni,
project coordinator.

The study was conducted in July-August, based on 28 interviews with various producers, members of the community of small and medium agricultural producers. One of the objectives announced by FAO Moldova is to seek opportunities to support small agricultural producers, including through the adoption of digital tools and technologies.

Photo: FAO