Moldova's Agriculture Minister calls for 'revolution' in agricultural economics
Moldova's Agriculture Minister Vladimir Bolea made a statement today calling for a "revolution" in the country's agricultural economics.
Bolea pointed out that Moldova produces 1.5 million tonnes of wheat annually, but only consumes 330,000 tonnes. The country also produces around 2 million tonnes of corn, but only consumes 400,000-500,000 tonnes.
"The problem is not in the money, but in the way agriculture is organised," Bolea said. "We are importing biscuits, pasta, and other food products, even though we have the raw materials to produce them ourselves."
Bolea said that the government plans to redefine the subsidy system to focus on processing and value-added products. He also said that the government will need to find a way to connect farmers with each other to create a more efficient supply chain.
"We need to find a way to make our agriculture more competitive," Bolea said. "This is not going to be easy, but it is essential if we want to ensure the future of our farmers."
In 2019, the value of subsidies in agriculture amounted to 1.15 billion lei, and in four years it has increased to 1.8 billion lei.
The government's plan to redefine the subsidy system is a positive step, but it is only one part of the solution. Moldova also needs to address the underlying problems in its agricultural sector, such as low productivity and a lack of processing capacity.
