MP Serghei Ivanov slams government for ‘cynical’ budget toward Moldova’s farmers
The ongoing problems facing the agricultural sector in the Republic of Moldova have generated a fierce exchange between the opposition and the government.
Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Serghei Ivanov has accused the authorities of ignoring agriculture in the 2026 budget and treating farmers “with cynicism.” Conversely, Minister of Agriculture Ludmila Catlabuga asserts that the state is preparing new support measures and implementing tools for climate risk management.
Ivanov: Budget 'Cynicism' and $190 Million Subsidy Debt
In an emotional address to Parliament, Serghei Ivanov, an MP from the Our Party (Partidul Nostru) and chairman of the Agriculture Commission, sharply criticized the country’s budgetary policy and the low priority given to the agricultural sector.
“A responsible budget? When agriculture, the most prioritized sector, is not included, there is no one to hold accountable,” Ivanov stated.
He detailed the government’s outstanding financial obligations to producers, converting a general financial dispute into a concrete political accusation. “Those owed over 2.4 billion lei ($135 million) in post-investment subsidies have invested more than 15 billion lei ($840 million) of their own capital into the sector. This money will return to the budget through VAT, excise duties, and taxes, but you are refusing to pay them now.”
The MP then challenged the official figures, arguing the debt is substantially higher than reported. "The outstanding debt is not 2.2 billion lei [$123 million], as the government claims, but 3.4 billion lei—nearly $190 million. Let's face reality instead of manipulating figures."
Ivanov further accused the authorities of disrespecting farmers. “When a farmer comes, remember they are a citizen. At least greet them properly. Is this how we have started to behave?” he concluded in the parliamentary plenary session.
Minister Catlabuga: Drought Relief and Climate Risk Reform
On the other side of the dispute, Ludmila Catlabuga, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, acknowledged the sector's difficulties but affirmed the government is actively developing concrete solutions, particularly for farmers affected by the recent drought.
“The climate situation is causing us headaches, and the most serious impact is in southern Moldova,” Catlabuga said. She confirmed that authorities have centralized data on the damages following the disaster.
“We have collected all damage assessment reports from the south. Five localities are the most affected, and we have a draft Government Decision to support these farmers,” the Minister specified during an appearance on public television. She also firmly rejected accusations of a lack of dialogue with producers, including in the context of recent farmers' protests. “The Ministry has never been absent from discussions with the farmers.”
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) is betting on structural reforms. According to Catlabuga, a new, mandatory climate risk management instrument is slated for implementation in 2026. “Our priority is to have a comprehensive risk management tool, which is currently being developed and will be subject to public consultations.”
The Minister also noted that 2025 was a record year for subsidies, with the support fund exceeding 1.9 billion lei ($106 million) and reported farmer investments reaching over 7 billion lei ($390 million). While subsidies are still a mandatory component of producers' business plans, Catlabuga’s long-term objective is for them to become supplementary tools, rather than an annual necessity.
“Today, farmers are at a stage where they are forced to include subsidies as a component of their business plan. We very much hope that, in a few years, subsidies will no longer be a mandatory component but a means of launching a start-up,” Catlabuga explained.
In the context of the demands put forward by farmers at their latest protest, including the cancellation of the Agricultural Chambers Law, Minister Catlabuga stressed that involving farmers in policy-making remains a priority for the ministry, and consultations will continue.
On December 10, farmers from southern Moldova, whose lands and crops were severely affected by the drought, organized a protest in front of the Government building, declaring a “catastrophic situation” in agriculture.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
