IFAD Country Director Samir Bejaoui, whose mandate expires on April 30, introduced his successor, Enrico Protomastro, Interim IFAD Director in RM.
As Iurie Usurelu, Director of the Joint Implementation Unit (CPIU) of IFAD programs in Moldova, noted in a comment for Logos Press, the Fund is one of the oldest international donor partners in Moldova, and this year marks the 25th anniversary of its representation in Moldova.
During this period, seven programs (IFAD I-VII) were implemented in Moldova, aimed at reducing poverty and increasing sustainability in rural areas through financial, including grant support to small and medium-sized farmers.
IFAD projects envisaged the development of fruit growing, greenhouse vegetable growing, conservation agriculture, post-harvest infrastructure, etc. All IFAD programs included components of poverty reduction and rural sustainability through financial, including grant support to small and medium-sized farmers. All programs included components of environmental risk reduction and mitigation of negative effects of climate change. In this regard, IFAD projects were often co-financed by other international donors, in particular the Global Environment Facility GEF.
Currently, IFAD VIII program is being implemented in Moldova. Within its framework, the Rural Transformation Capacity Building Project (TRTP) is being implemented through the CPIU with the support of the Government of the Republic of Moldova. It was launched in 2021 and is designed for 6 years. The total budget is EUR 46 million, including EUR 25 million from external sources (including IFAD funds – EUR 19 million). The TRTP project has opened a credit line for young farmers and women, with a grant component for the development of irrigation systems for small agricultural areas (up to 50 ha).
According to Iurie Usurelu, an evaluation mission is working in RM to define the concept of the future IFAD IX program. Its general direction will be the development of marketing in agriculture and marketing associations of small farmers. Also, the CPIU team hopes to continue other components of IFAD projects, in particular the development of irrigation.
