Irrigation systems in Călinești and Criulenii de Sus will be upgraded with EU funding
The Republic of Moldova will secure a loan of 45 million euros, along with a European grant of 15 million euros, to enhance its irrigation infrastructure. The agreements will be signed during the visit of French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, to Chisinau on May 14.
During Wednesday's government meeting, Ludmila Catlabuga, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, announced that a €45 million loan will be secured from the French Development Agency for the Integrated Development of Agriculture and Irrigation Program. This financing will be supplemented by a €15 million grant from the European Union.
"These agreements have gone through all the necessary procedural stages, including obtaining a favorable opinion from the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy, which allows us to move forward with the signing," the minister stated.
She added that these initiatives are "of strategic importance" for developing and strengthening the resilience of the agricultural sector, especially in light of climate change and the increasing scarcity of water resources.
The funding will be used to rehabilitate centralized irrigation systems in Criulenii de Sus and Călinești, which are located along the Nistru and the Prut, respectively.
"The projects will provide approximately 365 agricultural landowners with access to safe and efficient irrigation water sources, covering an area of over 3,000 hectares, with potential for further expansion," said Minister Catlabuga.
She said that both individual agricultural producers and organizations playing a critical role in sector development will benefit from the upgraded irrigation infrastructure, citing the joint-stock company “Cricova” and the Technical University of Moldova as examples.
"The second component aims to develop small-scale irrigation through the construction of water storage basins. This will enhance access to water capture and storage infrastructure, especially for small and medium-sized producers, thereby fostering a more competitive agricultural sector adapted to current climatic conditions," Ludmila Catlabuga said.
Additionally, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu mentioned at the beginning of the meeting that he plans to meet with French Minister Benjamin Haddad to discuss "major investment projects in the Republic of Moldova."
