Artichoke cultivation likely to be new investment opportunity in Moldova's agro-industrial sector

Chisinau, 20 October /MOLDPRES/- Growing artichoke could be a new investment opportunity in domestic agriculture for investors. The possibilities of growing this crop at the industrial level in our country were discussed yesterday by Vasile Şarban, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA), and experts of a company specialized in providing advice in business management and development.

The sides discussed the concept of the business model for artichoke culture, analyzed the investments and infrastructure needed to launch a pilot project in our country.

Vasile Şarban said that artichoke is a plant that is becoming more and more widespread, with a competitive potential on the market and that brings a consistent profit, especially since it does not require a large area of ​​land to be cultivated. "If we were to apply modern technologies and innovative solutions, then it would be possible to obtain new products, beneficial for the feed production sector, for the food, health and veterinary fields, being a source of biomass fuel production and having honey properties etc.", he said.

The production of artichoke reaches an average of 40 t / ha. At the same time, for comparison, if about 2.2 tons of sugar are obtained from one hectare of sugar beet, then about 4.8 tons of fructose can be obtained from one hectare of artichoke, which is used as a sugar substitute by people suffering from diabetes.

"This culture is forgotten by Moldovans, but it could bring real profits, which is why the pilot project will be developed and intended for investors interested in developing agricultural business in the Republic of Moldova," said Vasile Sarban.

Photo: MAIA