Access to irrigation backed by USA increases investments in high-value agriculture in Moldova

Chisinau, 20 October /MOLDPRES/ - The access to modern infrastructure of irrigation and models of agriculture with added value have prompted the farmers from those ten irrigation systems of Moldova, rehabilitated from U.S. Government’s funds, to invest in profitable agricultural crops. According to representatives of the Association of Users of Water for Irrigation (AUAI), as a rule, farmers with access to agriculture opt for plating intensive orchards and vineyard, creation of plantations of berries and production of vegetables.      
The advantages of producing crops with added value are among the conditions which contributed, in the last five years, to the tripling of the irrigated lands in the area of those ten irrigation systems. According to AUAI, the biggest increases of irrigated lands is recorded in the area of the Blindesti irrigation systems – from one hectare in 2016 to 181 hectares in 2020, Cosnita – from 248 to 1,058 hectares, Grozesti – from 115 to 467 hectares. As for farmers’ investments in profitable crops, by the end of 2020, for instance, there are already over 130 hectares of multiannual plantations (vineyard, orchards and strawberry plantations) in the area of the Roscani irrigation system, as compared to several tens of hectares four years ago. Also, in the area of the Grozesti irrigation system, by the end of this year, about 90 hectares of multiannual plantations will be planted already, although four years ago, farmers were producing preponderantly field crops and vegetables.     
At the same time, the U.S. Government, through the High Value Agricultural Activity in Moldova project of the United States for International Development (USAID), continues to help farmers from the area of the rehabilitated irrigation systems to turn to account the access to water, through providing grants worth about 6.8 million lei for the implementation, promotion of innovative technologies of production and post-harvest, purchasing of small irrigation equipment, etc.  
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Dereck Hogan expressed pride for the so necessary support to farmers from Moldova, provided by the American nation for the restoration of ten centralized irrigation systems. The diplomat noted that that such investments motivate residents from villages to remain in Moldova and develop farming businesses at home. ‘This contributes not only to the keeping of capable and initiative people in the country, but also to reducing the negative effects on the agricultural productivity,’’ Dereck Hogan said.    
The Government of the USA during 2010-2015 invested about 80 million dollars for the rehabilitation of ten irrigation systems (six irrigation systems on Dniester: Criuleni, Lopatna, Jora de Jos, Puhaceni, Roscani and Cosnita and four irrigation systems on Prut: Blindesti, Grozesti, Leova and Chircani-Zarnesti). Those ten systems allow the irrigation of 15,000 hectares.       
Photo source: USAID