---
title: "EU and EBRD invest €130 million to modernize Moldovan irrigation "
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/86735/eu-and-ebrd-invest-130-million-to-modernize-moldovan-irrigation
published: 2026-10-07T08:44:00Z
language: en
author: "Elena Munteanu"
section: "Economic"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# EU and EBRD invest €130 million to modernize Moldovan irrigation 

> Moldova will overhaul two major centralized irrigation networks under a €130 million (approx. 2.52 billion MDL) modernization plan backed by the European Union and international lenders, the government announced.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/6617ebda-5a33-451d-8ba0-4a727d1897d6.jpg)

Moldova will overhaul two major centralized irrigation networks under a €130 million (approx. 2.52 billion MDL) modernization plan backed by the European Union and international lenders, the government announced.

The initiative, approved by the cabinet on October 6, will restore water delivery across approximately 6,900 hectares of farmland. Financing combines loans and grants from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) alongside the EU Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova, with domestic agricultural producers also providing capital.

*“We have 300 farmers contributing 3 percent to the funding,”* said Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Eugeniu Osmochescu during the executive meeting. *“We are addressing local demand and building where the need is critical.”*

**Targeted agricultural hubs**

The opening phase focuses on the Căușeni irrigation system in the Ștefan Vodă district, servicing about 2,000 hectares of cropland. Once upgraded, operational management will transfer to the Kîzîl Water Users Association for Irrigation.

A second intervention targets the Upper Puhăceni network spanning Criuleni and Anenii Noi districts, bringing modernized hydraulic systems to roughly 4,900 hectares. Operations will be supervised by the Dubăsarii Vechi and Aqua Terra Delacău irrigation associations within their assigned perimeters.

Officials emphasized that dependable water infrastructure remains vital to shield agriculture from recurrent droughts and accelerating climate change risks.

**Reversing decades of infrastructure decay**

Moldova currently irrigates only 30,000 to 40,000 hectares—representing about 1.6 percent of its total arable land and roughly one-tenth of its peak historical coverage, according to estimates by economic analyst Veaceslav Ioniță.

Nine irrigation rehabilitation projects are currently underway nationwide. Sectoral projections indicate these initiatives could increase agricultural yields across served zones by up to 50 percent compared to the decade-long average.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

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