VIDEO // Agriculture Minister: Farmers to be supported to continue agricultural work

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) is analyzing new support measures for farmers in the context of the complicated global economic and geopolitical situation, including tensions in the Middle East, which are influencing energy markets and costs for the agricultural sector. The statements were made by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Ludmila Catlabuga, who stressed that the authorities are trying to identify solutions to reduce the impact of these developments on farmers in the Republic of Moldova.

According to the official, the current situation affects several areas of the economy, including agriculture, which is why the ministry maintains constant dialogue with farmers and responsible institutions in order to assess losses and identify support instruments.

“In the context of tensions in the Middle East we are facing more complicated situations in several segments. We are trying to identify support measures for farmers and, at the same time, to strengthen our actions so that we can respond to the problems that arise,” stated Ludmila Catlabuga.

One of the topics analyzed by the authorities is VAT reimbursement for farmers. The minister specified that the draft Government decision on this mechanism has already been developed and is in the process of being promoted, to be discussed and adjusted following consultations.

“For the VAT reimbursement component we already have a draft Government decision. It is currently being advanced and will continue to be examined. During the debates we will see what amounts can be allocated and how the procedure can be adjusted to respond as well as possible to the needs of farmers,” the minister explained.

At the same time, the authorities are also analyzing mechanisms to compensate diesel fuel costs, one of the most important inputs for the agricultural sector. According to Ludmila Catlabuga, the formula proposed in the draft Government decision is based on estimates of the annual diesel consumption in agriculture.

“The formula was established starting from the annual diesel consumption in agriculture. Approximately 40% of total consumption is recorded during periods of intensive activity, and for this reason we took these figures into account when we developed the support mechanism,” the minister specified.

The official emphasized that the measures are designed according to the Government’s budgetary possibilities, and the authorities are trying to provide realistic and sustainable support for farmers.

“We must take into account the Government’s current possibilities. Therefore, we are trying to identify formulas that provide support to farmers without creating additional pressure on the public budget,” Catlabuga mentioned.

At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture is constantly monitoring the situation in the sector, including the evolution of stocks and agricultural markets, in cooperation with the Crisis Center and other relevant institutions.

“We are in permanent communication with the Crisis Center and with our colleagues in the ministry in order to analyze the situation, including in terms of stocks and the measures that can be implemented to support farmers,” said the minister.

According to the ministry’s current estimates, in the current agricultural season farmers intend to work approximately 1.4 million hectares of land. The authorities consider that supporting farmers is essential for maintaining agricultural production and for the country’s food security.

“It is important for food security that these lands are cultivated and that we have agricultural production. That is why we maintain dialogue with farmers to ensure that agricultural activity will continue,” the minister underlined.

Ludmila Catlabuga also mentioned that the development of agriculture depends not only on financial support, but also on access to modern technologies, information and risk management tools. In this regard, the authorities aim to strengthen cooperation with national and international institutions in order to identify solutions that will help the agricultural sector face current challenges.