Moldovan agriculture minister presents more solutions to back farmers

Chisinau, 13 September /MOLDPRES/ - The ministerial team is aware of the situation emerged in agriculture; therefore, it is concerned about the finding of solutions to reduce the impact, the consequences of the present crises on the agricultural producers. Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Vladimir Bolea made statements to this effect at a news conference held today.  

„The serious state dealing with the drought was fostered by the collapse of prices for inputs and the energy crisis led to the impoverishing of the residents. All these prompted the Moldovan government to take diverse measures to support the producers on the agrarian dimension,’’ the official said.

Bolea noted that, following a string of topic-related meetings with representatives of competent institutions on the re-classifying the conditions of crediting in agriculture and jointly with the units of implementation of projects of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Moldova’s Orchard, decision-makers had ruled to decrease, for a six-month period, by 8.5 percentage points the floating annual re-crediting rates, for Moldovan lei. This measure has been enforced as of 25 August 2022. At the same time, the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry will change the programme of subsidization through the new regulation, where the doubling of the sum at the interest’s reimbursement will be included. ‘’These measures are for reducing the negative impact, as well as the lack financial means because of the on-essential sales,’’ according to the minister.       

Another measures taken deals with the derogation from the Fiscal Code for the payment of the land tax for the farmers who suffered in the wake of the severe drought from this year. ‘’Thus, decision-makers establish the term of the payment of tax in the case of real estate of legal entities and private people, registered as entrepreneurs, existing and/or acquired till 25 November, including of the current fiscal year. The tax on real estate is paid by the subject of taxation to local budgets, according to the placement of the objects of taxation, but not later than 25 November this year. The derogations provided for are made only for the real estate which represent the object of investment in the agro-industrial sector, based on acts of ascertaining of drought, compiled by local commissions in the way established by the law,’’ Vladimir Bolea said.    

Also, the minister informed that, presently, along with the competent parliamentary commission, decision-makers worked on a draft law which would allow the payment of taxes at the expense of the value added tax (VAT), accumulated by economic agents during the year. Another important draft, meant to back the processors, sees the reimbursement of the excise duties for crude oil, used in the process of processing of fruits, vegetables and production of sugar.   

Another important sector backed by the ministry deals with the identification of new markets for the sale of agricultural production, especially apples. For this, in early next October, Vladimir Bolea along with Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister will go to Cairo to discuss an agreement on free trade with Egypt. Another opportunity, according to the minister, is the participation in the Indagra exhibition, due in Bucharest.