The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on December 8 signed the country programming framework for 2016-2019. The document envisions three main directions: Enhancement of competitiveness of agrifood sector; Sustainable agriculture and rural development; Sustainable management of natural resources and disaster risk management, IPN reports.

Minister of Agriculture Eduard Grama said the three key directions are also contained in the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy for 2014-2020, with FAO being a strategic partner in the field. “For the Republic of Moldova, it is a really important document, given that the FAO is the most authoritarian organization in the world in the field of agriculture,” he stated.

Raimund Jehle, Regional Strategic Programs Coordinator for FAO Europe and Central Asia and Country Representative for Moldova, said this framework opens up new opportunities of support and cooperation and it is very important that effort is made to achieve the sustainable development goals. “I think the agricultural sector of the Republic of Moldova has a great development potential and the three mentioned priorities represent namely those directions on which work should be done to realize this potential,” stated Raimund Jehle.

Attending the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Chisinau Dafina Gercheva said the collective efforts are key for the development challenges and aspirations of the Moldovan people and for ensuring functional democracy and a modern and prosperous economy. “The role of FAO in Moldova is essential both for modernizing agriculture and for developing resistant agriculture,” noted the official.

Within the country programing framework, FAO will provide technical assistance and expertise offered by its experts. Among the aspects concerned are the underground waters, increase in exports, the impact of the antihail system and its development, etc.