Moldova's Government, Farmers' Association discuss subsidies, cross-border traffic
The management of Moldova's Ministry of Agriculture met with representatives of the Farmers' Force Association on Tuesday to discuss ways to support farmers affected by the country's economic crisis.
Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea said the government has increased the volume of subsidies and approved more measures than in previous years. He said financial aid worth 200 million lei (about $10 million) will reach the accounts of about 3,000 small and medium farmers. Another support is in the form of diesel, also targeted at farmers affected by the severe drought in 2022.
Bolea also said that in order to deconcentrate grain transport in customs posts, several control areas will be created outside the localities, equipped with parking lots and other facilities, following the model of Giurgiulesti customs post.
"Streamlining cross-border traffic is a priority for us," he said. "We have applied for financial assistance through the 'Solidarity Corridors' to modernise infrastructure to speed up the transport of agricultural products."
Ion Plămădeală, chairman of the Farmers' Force Association, said that while the government's measures are welcome, they are not enough. He said farmers are still demanding a moratorium on loans taken by farmers.
"The protests are not over, they will continue," he said. "We insist on a meeting with Prime Minister Dorin Recean next week."
The meeting between the government and the Farmers' Association comes amid growing discontent among farmers in Moldova. In recent months, farmers have blocked roads and staged protests to demand better prices for their crops and more government support.
