OREANDA-NEWS. March 05, 2011. Larisa Spoiala, the Director General of the National Statistics Bureau said at the press conference that only census on certain segments of agriculture had been carried out in the country until now. Taking into consideration the fact that agricultural lands constitute 75% of the country’s total area, the census has an essential role in getting reliable information about the situation in agriculture, especially, when it comes to small producers’ activity.

Vasilii Pentelei, the head of the National Statistics Bureau Census Department said the general agricultural census would give full and detailed information about the situation in agriculture to central and local authorities, economic agents and possible foreign investors. The census will be a part of the World Agricultural Census of 2010 and will be carried out in accordance with EU standards.

The total budget for carrying out the census in Moldova will amount to 67 million leis. 50% of the expenses will be covered by Sweden’s 20.4 million crowns grant and 23% will be co-funded by the European Union; Technical assistance will be provided by Romania, USA and the World Agricultural Organization. 17 million leis will be spent for these purposes from the state budget of Moldova.