More investment opportunities, agriculture's modernization through Moldova's Orchard II project

Farmers and enterprises of the agri-food sector will benefit from new financing opportunities for investments in business development and modernization. The government has approved a draft law for the ratification of the Financing Contract between Moldova and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which provides for a loan of 150 million euros for the Moldova’s Orchard II project.

The project will support investments in horticulture, viticulture, livestock farming, aquaculture, processing of agricultural products, modern irrigation systems and the digitalization of production processes. Thus, farmers will be able to invest in high-performance equipment, efficient technologies, expansion of production and processing capacities, improvement of product quality and adaptation of their businesses to market requirements.

About 90 per cent of the financing will be directed to micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-cap enterprises from the agri-food sector through loans granted via banks, leasing companies and non-bank lending organizations.

Up to 10 per cent of the financing will support public investments in agricultural research infrastructure, education, food safety and public services dedicated to the agri-food sector.

The project aims to enhance the competitiveness of agricultural producers, develop rural businesses, create new economic opportunities and strengthen food security. It is estimated that the project will mobilize investments of over 300 million euros in the agri-food sector.

Moldova's Orchard II continues the programme previously implemented together with the European Investment Bank and is part of the investment projects included in the Reform and Growth Mechanism for Moldova.