OREANDA-NEWS. April 14, 2014. The programs were launched by the Ministry of agriculture and food industry and environment and the project of the World Bank in Moldova "Competitive agriculture” (MAC-P).

The budget for the first grant program to facilitate access to markets makes USD 7 million. The objective of this grant program is to support the creation of groups of agricultural producers in the field of horticulture, support of attracting investments in technology in the equipment for the post-harvest infrastructure, which will increase the competitiveness of Moldovan agricultural products.

The director of the agency for intervention and payments in agriculture Petr Maleru noted that the investment grants will be used for purchasing of necessary equipment and will not exceed 50% of the investment, the maximum amount of which is USD 350 thousand for the producer groups. The second program worth USD 3 million is aimed at improving the performance due to the sustainable land use. Within the framework of this program the maximum grant for agricultural producers makes USD 20 thousand and the grant will not exceed 50% of the investment. The right to participate in this program will have only those farmers, who since November 2013 invested in machinery and equipment.

Petr Maler said that for the first time in Moldova payment under the grant scheme will be implemented in advance, which will enable farmers to make investments at the expense of the grant. Those wishing to participate in the program must submit applications till May 30. It can be reminded that MAC-P project was launched in 2012 to provide Moldovan farmers with financial and logistical support. The total project budget is USD 27 million. The project will be completed in June 2017.