Moldovan agriculture minister: It is our duty to invest in irrigation so that we leave something sustainable

Chisinau, Dec. 19 /MOLDPRES/- Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) Ludmila Catlabuga met today with members of the Irrigation Water Users' Associations (AUAI) and representatives of the National Agency for Land Improvement. The parties discussed the financing needs of irrigation investment projects and the challenges they face.

The talks also highlighted the support of development partners, which are involved in supporting farmers to develop and rehabilitate centralized irrigation systems. The AUAI representatives listed several challenges they are facing, including the accounting management of the hydro assets, the process of leasing irrigation systems, the need for more attention to the installation of photovoltaic panels to reduce energy costs, and attracting qualified specialists to stay in the irrigation sector.

According to the minister, subsidies are available for investments in water storage reservoirs for irrigation, construction or rehabilitation of reservoirs and related hydro-technical constructions, such as protection dykes and drainage systems. "In this case too, the state covers up to 75% of the value of eligible projects, with a maximum limit of 2.5 million lei per project," the official said.

The Ministry of Agriculture is currently working with international partners, including the French Development Agency, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, to finance modernization projects and centralized irrigation systems.