VIDEO // Moldovan government prepares emergency measures for farmers as farmers protest

The authorities are identifying solutions to farmers' problems. Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga has said that she held extensive discussions with farmers and that a draft was to be adopted to reduce debt pressure and stop foreclosures on vulnerable farmers. Farmers, who gathered at a protest outside the government building, warn that agriculture is in a "disastrous situation" and demand urgent interventions on behalf of the authorities.

The protest’s organizers point out that numerous agricultural producers have entered technical bankruptcy and financial pressures are increasing with forced executions, blocked financing, and accumulated state debts to the sector.

Farmers demand three main measures on behalf of the government: applying a moratorium on foreclosures for farmers in temporary payment incapacity; implementing real financing mechanisms, including effective refund of due VAT, reimbursement of diesel excise, granting the 628 million lei from the subsidy fund as payment per hectare; canceling the Agricultural Chambers Law, which they consider "abusively adopted".

 

The protesters say they feel ignored and lack survival tools in a devastating agricultural year. They state that while imports dominate the market, local producers are marginalized, including through the way domestic products are displayed in large stores.

"Farmers' Force accuses the authorities of "inertia and lack of response to the agricultural crisis." According to farmers, the state currently owes over 1.3 billion lei only from subsidies, an amount that might exceed 3 billion by the end of the year. At least 2.4 billion lei in unreturned VAT to farmers is added to these.

Agricultural producers claim the December 10 protest is an alarm signal and a demand for real and urgent dialogue. They warn that the situation could escalate, if measures are not quickly adopted to prevent chain bankruptcies of farms in the country.

The Government's Position and Ongoing Measures

For her part, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga in a statement made before the today's government meeting, said that the institution was already working on concrete solutions. The minister noted that she had held extensive discussions with farmers and a draft law is to be promoted to reduce debt pressure and stop foreclosures on vulnerable farmers.

 

"I worked with some of them side by side, for two weeks. We had discussions on individual cases and developed a draft law that will support farmers. The document must go through all procedures. We know this law will not cancel debts, but we want to stop executions," the minister specified.

Besides this draft, the government has announced in recent weeks other support directions for the agricultural sector, such as:

accelerating the refund process of outstanding VAT,

supplementing resources for the National Agricultural Development Fund,

expanding guarantee programs for agricultural loans,

initiating discussions with development partners for additional funds for farmers affected by drought.

What Support Farmers Receive in 2025

• Subsidies and direct/post-investment/complementary payments

In March 2025, the Agency for Intervention and Payments for Agriculture (AIPA) authorized payments of 165.05 million lei to farmers, representing approximately 10 per cent of the annual budget of the subsidy fund. The mechanisms included complementary payments, advance payments, post-investments, and direct payments in the livestock sector.

In May 2025, farmers received total subsidies of 182.26 million lei, aimed among other things at investments (machinery, irrigation, perennial crops), beekeeping, farm modernization, as well as covering some current expenses.

In June 2025, payments of 133.68 million lei were authorized, of which over 56 million lei for complementary subsidies — including insurance premiums for animals and crops, irrigation incentives, accessing investment loans, etc.

Also, in the period June 9–13, 2025, AIPA directed another 41.84 million lei for complementary subsidies, post-investments, and rural development projects.

• New subsidy calls and financing opportunities

As of October 1, 2025, AIPA opened a new call for subsidies, valid until December 1. It provides funding for production, processing and marketing projects in the plant, viticultural, and livestock sectors. It includes advance payments for starting or modernizing agricultural activities.

The programmes cover investments in farms, modernization of operations, purchase of machinery, equipment, development of agricultural or rural infrastructure.

• Improving support framework and strategic planning

At the end of 2024, the government approved a draft law regulating the financing, management and monitoring of agricultural policies — to create a coherent, integrated, and compatible framework with European standards. The National Agriculture and Rural Development Fund (FNDAMR) for 2025 is projected at 1.7 billion lei.

The new law provides direct support for farmers, as well as support for farms’ modernization, rural infrastructure, innovation, consultancy and sustainable agricultural development.

• External support and digitalization for agriculture and rural areas

In November 2025, the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a 3-million-euro project aimed at strengthening agricultural governance and creating jobs in rural areas. The project includes the development of a National Digital Farmers Registry and support tools for vulnerable farmers.

• What These Mean for Farmers

Farmers can benefit from immediate financial aid (subsidies, post-investment payments, direct payments) that reduce operational risk and support investments.

Access to funding is facilitated through periodic AIPA calls, with the possibility to submit applications until December 2025.

There is a modernized legal framework for support and monitoring, bringing predictability and transparency in the sector.

Support programmes are not just for large farms — they also target small/micro farmers, including beekeeping, viticulture, plant agriculture, young farmers or women.

Digitalization and rural development initiatives supported by the EU/UNDP strengthen institutional infrastructure and provide long-term perspectives for development of agriculture.