PHOTO // Moldova to receive 60 million euros to modernize irrigation systems

Moldova will receive financial support of 60 million euros, in order to modernize the irrigation infrastructure and expand farmers’ access to water for irrigation. To this end, two agreements have been signed in Chisinau with the French Development Agency (AFD).

The documents today were signed by Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov, Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Ludmila Catlabuga and French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad. The official of France is on a visit to Moldova to participate in the 135th Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The financial package includes a 45-million-euro loan provided by the French Development Agency and a 15-million-euro grant offered by the European Union.

Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov said that the funds would be used to rehabilitate the current irrigation infrastructure, develop small-scale irrigation systems and strengthen the capacities of the institutions responsible for managing the sector.

"On the land served by the rehabilitated systems, agricultural production could increase by at least 50 per cent compared to the average of the last ten years. Thus, our farmers will be better protected and better prepared for periods of drought and for managing water resources. The grant offered by the European Union is the first investment project under the Growth Plan for Moldova. It is yet another clear proof that the advantages of the European path are already concretely reflected in citizens’ lives even before actual accession," said Cristina Gherasimov.

Also today, the Moldovan and French authorities signed a declaration of intent regarding the development of a joint strategy for information and communication about the process of Moldova’s accession to the European Union.

"This is an important document, because communication about our European path is not limited only to the domestic space. It is essential that citizens of the EU member states also get to know Moldova better, the reforms we are implementing, and the contribution our country can bring to the European project. The declaration provides for strengthening Moldovan–French cooperation in such areas as strategic communication, parliamentary cooperation, dialogue with academia and civil society, culture and the private sector," the deputy prime minister added.

For his part, Benjamin Haddad emphasized that France would continue to actively support the European path of Moldova.

"The granting of these 60 million euros for modernizing the irrigation system of Moldova will bring direct benefits to farmers and help the country better cope with periods of drought. This is the first agreement under the Growth Plan for Moldova. We have also signed an action plan for strategic communication, aimed at strengthening the involvement of civil society and MPs in the accession process. All these projects show that France continues to actively support the European path of Moldova and will continue to do so," the French official said.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Ludmila Catlabuga provided details on the planned investments. According to her, the project envisages the rehabilitation of centralized irrigation systems, the expansion of access to water for over 3,000 hectares of agricultural land and ensuring more secure access to irrigation for about 365 holders of agricultural land.

"The development of water retention basins and the strengthening of water users’ associations for irrigation remain priorities. The project also includes strengthening the capacities of the National Land Improvement Agency, training services and technical support for farmers, as well as the development of modern and energy-efficient systems. The involvement of the private sector and farmers is very important," stressed the agriculture and food industry minister.

In 2022, the total support provided by the French Development Agency group to Moldova exceeded 300 million euros, of which 23 million euros were directed to support the private sector.