Economic resilience in livestock sector

The livestock sector in the Republic of Moldova has benefited from 70 modern milking machines and sanitary kits, purchased with Switzerland's financial support. This initiative was carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as part of the joint FAO-UNDP project Emergency support for agricultural producers in the context of socio-economic and energy crisis.

The equipment was provided to vulnerable households, small farmers of the Farmers' Field Schools, and Women's Agricultural Clubs established within the project, for whom dairy cow rearing is the main source of income and food for their families. The implementation of modern equipment will alleviate labor difficulties, thus contributing to greater economic resilience for farmers.


'Such support means less exhausting work and more family time. For small households, it's a long-awaited change. We are grateful to the partners who help us offer solutions to the citizens,' says Iurie Scirpnic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry.


The last distribution event held in Fălești district

The last distribution event took place in Fălești district on April 4, marking an important moment for dairy producers in the region.

15 female farmers from the villages of Pruteni and Drujineni, active members of Fălești Women's Agricultural Club (CAF) established within the project, received equipment. Each of them owns an average of four cows, and their rearing is the main source of income and food.

Through the CAF, these women benefited from training in good agricultural practices, financial education, and entrepreneurship. In total, six such clubs, opened in Fălești, Căușeni, and Orhei, supported approximately 180 women in 2024. A recent FAO evaluation indicated that a quarter of the participants have already seen improvements in the sustainability and resilience of their farms as a result of these activities.


'This concrete initiative provides essential support to small dairy producers, helping them become more competitive and improve their quality of life. By facilitating the milking process and ensuring higher sanitary standards, we are directly contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Moldova,' estimated Tudor Robu, Deputy Representative of FAO in the Republic of Moldova.


The second stage of the event in Fălești took place in the village of Hiliuți, where 10 small households, members of a dairy cooperative, also received sets of milking machines. These families previously benefited from support in the form of animal feed and now receive essential equipment for milk production.


'Agriculture is a key sector in the Republic of Moldova, and supporting small producers is vital for the country's economic and social development. We are proud to contribute, through this project, to the modernization of the dairy sector and the improvement of farmers' living conditions,' says Simone Di Stefano, Deputy Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova.

 


300,000 dollars investment in the livestock sector

The acquisition of the 70 milking machines involved an investment of approximately 300,000 dollars. Their distribution began in March, and the first beneficiaries were 30 cow farmers from four Farmers' Field Schools in Drochia, Glodeni, Râșcani, Florești and Sângerei.

Since 2022, the project has provided support in the form of seeds, fertilizers, and feed to over 17,000 small farmers and households in 23 districts, thanks to 2.3 million dollars funding from Switzerland and 1.3 million dollars from Austria.

The action reaffirms the commitment of FAO and its partners to support the agricultural sector in the Republic of Moldova, strengthen local producers' capacities, and contribute to the economic resilience of rural communities.