In this regard, Moldova Fruct calls for the finalization and adoption of the Strategic Program of Agrarian Policy (PSPA) for 2026-2030 as soon as possible. Moldova Fruct’s Sustainability Strategy for the same period should be a component of the PSPA. This document is “developed with international expert support and is oriented towards achieving high standards of productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of the fruit growing sector in the context of European integration”.
In particular, the Moldova Fruct strategy envisages the modernization of 100 thousand hectares of orchards by the end of this decade, including the replacement of about 20-25% of old perennial plantations with newly created ones. Due to this, it is quite realistic to increase the productivity of the fruit growing sector in Moldova by 30-35% and to double the export potential and income of horticulturists.
Critical conditions for such development of the sector, according to the conclusions of Moldova Fruct, are:
- Development of a domestic nursery base and reduction of expenditures on planting material (at the moment up to 50% of the amount invested in a new orchard is on imported seedlings),
- improving the legislative and institutional framework in the field of irrigation,
- continued investment in building up post-harvest infrastructure,
- support in multiplication of quality management system (standardization according to A.P. and GRASP, IFS, etc.).
Where to start?
The Congress of Moldova Fruct proposes the authorities to start the implementation of these proposals with the rectification of the state budget for 2026 and the replenishment of the fund for the development of agriculture and rural areas for the current year for the full repayment of debts on farm subsidies for 2024-25. This, according to various estimates, is about 3-4 billion lei.
It is also highly desirable to search for opportunities to adsorb financing from European funds oriented to the EU candidate countries.
In principle, in the current macroeconomic circumstances, any “cheap money” for development is highly desirable for the agrarian sector of the Republic of Moldova.
