Government of Japan considers extending agricultural and processing support to Moldova

Today Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga met with Vice President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Hara Shohei in Tokyo, during her working visit to Japan. The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strong partnership between Moldova and JICA in the agricultural development.

Ludmila Catlabuga expressed gratitude for the support provided over the years and highlighted the importance of the Modernization of Agricultural Machinery and Equipment project (MAME), the first loan granted by Japan to Moldova, managed by ADMA.

The MAME project is intended for farmers, especially small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, those who wish to invest in increasing productivity by purchasing agricultural machinery and post-harvest equipment.

From 2021 to May 2025, through this project, 350 farmers have been funded, with 535 contracts signed totaling over 640.5 million lei. Agricultural producers were able to purchase tractors, combines, sorting machines, packaging, or processing equipment under preferential conditions.

The Moldovan side expressed interest in continuing the project. Additionally, ideas for collaboration focused on digitalization and training were discussed, including an educational platform for sustainable agriculture, an e-farming project adapted for young farmers, and a professional exchange program with Japanese institutions.

On May 26-29, Catlabuga along with Executive Director of the Agency for Agriculture Development and Modernization Maxim Popov are on a working visit to Tokyo, Japan.