Moldovan agriculture is facing serious challenges: the area allocated for vegetable cultivation has decreased from over 10,000 hectares in 2004 to just 4,000 hectares in 2023.
In the past, 80% of the planted area was sown with local varieties; however, in the pursuit of higher yields, many farmers have switched to new varieties that are often unsuitable for local climate conditions.
Without effective irrigation, further development of the agricultural sector becomes impossible, forcing the country to increase vegetable imports. Out of 88 existing irrigation systems, only 24 are operational. Experts assert that without irrigation, it is impossible to develop agriculture, especially in the context of frequent droughts.
At the end of 2023, the Moldovan parliament ratified a loan agreement worth $55 million with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to restore irrigation infrastructure. Meanwhile, the area of vegetables grown in greenhouses has decreased from 86.6 hectares in 2004 to 30.9 hectares in 2023.
In the face of rising imports, over 11,000 tons of tomatoes were imported into the country in 2023, with nearly half coming from Türkiye. Ukraine emerged as the leader in potato imports, supplying just over 23,000 tons.
Source: tvn.md