Authorities to develop more opportunities for women in agriculture

Chisinau, 16 Feb. / MOLDPRES /- The development of business opportunities for women producers was the topic of a round table, recently organized at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA).

The event focused on analyzing the role of women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, identifying the main factors of their vulnerability and assessing the gender dimension in agriculture.

According to Iurie Scripnic, Secretary of State of MAIA, the state authorities are focused on creating economic facilities for women in agriculture, by increasing access to investment and assistance for the development of agricultural business. "Women farmers in the Republic of Moldova actively benefit from subsidies from the state for all areas established by the Regulation on the conditions, manner and procedure for granting funds to the National Fund for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Environment," the official said.

Thus, through the Agency for Intervention and Payments for Agriculture, last year, about 800 women submitted applications to benefit from subsidies in the agricultural sector. At the same time, with reference to the advance subsidization of start-up projects, in 2021, 40 files were selected for funding, of which 22 will be managed by women. "This shows that women are encouraged and motivated to contribute to the development of the agricultural and rural sector," Scripnic said.

A number of panel discussions were held at the event, analyzing the experience of other countries in the region in providing support for women in rural areas and presenting the report assessing the needs of women producers in sustainable business development.