Frost threatens Moldova crops: Farmers seek aid
Today, the Farmers' Force Association (Asociația Forța Fermierilor) requested an urgent meeting with the government to examine the situation and, additionally, to have more European funds directed or requested to overcome the crisis in the agricultural sector.
Authorities claim they will analyze the farmers' requests and intervene as appropriate.
The late frosts, which have lasted for almost a week, are already considerably affecting almost all agricultural crops, risking the compromise of the harvest in some cases. Crop insurance could mitigate the impact, but farmers no longer have the money to pay the premiums, according to the president of the "Farmers' Force Association," Alexandru Brînză. In such conditions, the state should intervene with broad and effective measures to increase the resilience of the agricultural sector. This is why the association he leads has requested a meeting with government representatives.
I am now speaking about what we were able to monitor within the Ungheni district. There was only -1 degree Celsius towards the morning. We will see the reality in a few days when temperatures are stable and positive. And then it will be clear whether the inflorescences will remain or fall. And if it is partial, to what extent the yield will remain on the trees. Otherwise, regarding Group I crops, what we can visually observe, there are problems with rapeseed. And we will also see about the wheat, which was in an advanced stage of development and is, according to specialists, expected to suffer.
Authorities will estimate the damage caused by the frosts, after which intervention will be mandatory, assures PAS (Party of Action and Solidarity) MP, Alexandr Trubca, president of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee.
We are yet to see the real impact of these calamities or sudden weather changes, and based on the results, we will see what actions the Ministry of Agriculture will take. Certainly, some support will be provided for those who have been significantly affected. We must understand that frost or a loss of 5% of the yield is not usually a subject [for significant intervention]; it is ultimately part of the farmers' risk. If there is a larger loss, then we need to have discussions about what we can and how we should intervene.
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (Ministerul Agriculturii și Industriei Alimentare - MAIA) states that it addresses all challenges in the sector in a proactive, responsible, and structured manner.
Regarding the frosts this week, MAIA has already scheduled two meetings for April 17, 2025: one with representatives of the district agricultural directorates, and the other with sector-specific associations. Then we will analyze the information from the field and consult with farmers, as it is now too early to assess the impact of the frosts, which are unfortunately also forecast for the following days, and a longer period of data collection is needed. The district agricultural directorates are handling this, and it is known by the sector-specific associations.
The State Hydrometeorological Service (Serviciul Hidrometeorologic de Stat) issued two yellow code warnings yesterday valid for the entire country: one concerns wind intensification, and the other – frosts during the night and morning. At the same time, until April 13, temperatures will drop to -3 degrees Celsius, and in some places down to -5 degrees Celsius.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
