Efficient management of natural resources: Entrepreneur from Criuleni collects rainwater to irrigate greenhouses
As climate change leads to more frequent droughts, effective management of water resources is becoming crucial for farmers. In the Criuleni district, entrepreneur Ion Jitari has discovered an innovative way to take advantage of natural resources. For several years, he has been collecting rainwater from the roofs of his greenhouses to irrigate his vegetable crops.
Water is collected through a system of gutters and pipes and directed to a storage tank. This water is later used to irrigate plants, which benefit from its quality. The rainwater is softer and less mineralized.
"We created an accumulation basin where, throughout the year, as long as there is precipitation, all the water that collects in the greenhouse flows into this basin. After that, we make an effort to use this water as much as possible for irrigation. Rainwater has a low concentration of salts, which allows us to more effectively absorb the fertilizers we apply to the plants, resulting in better growth," said Ion Jitari, a farmer.
This method helps reduce costs because the farmer saves on both water bills and energy needed to pump water from wells or rivers. His success can be attributed to hard work, investments made, and support received from the state. The subsidies helped the farmer modernize his equipment, expand the greenhouse area, and improve technologies.
"For me, it is a pleasure to come and see my plants every morning. They change overnight, and I witness the beautiful, abundant harvest. As someone who loves quality fruits and vegetables, nothing compares to enjoying a delicious tomato or a tasty cucumber. I consider this one of the greatest satisfactions, alongside the profit," he added.
Ion Jitari believes that if every farmer employed intelligent methods to use natural resources, agriculture in the Republic of Moldova would become much more resilient to climate change.
A full report on Ion Jitari's innovations will be aired on Sunday during the "Pamant si oameni" show, starting at 11:45 AM.
