Organizations operating in agriculture and rural development united under an “institutional umbrella” called the National Network for Rural Development of Moldova. The Network will ensure the facilitation and consolidation of participation in the politic dialogue in the national agro-rural context. Based on this platform, the interested sides could communicate with the responsible national authorities on the agro-rural policy and the initiatives proposed for a better performance of the agricultural and talk development sectors. The field players and their representatives could agree common positons. The meeting to create the Network was held on June 29, IPN reports.
The Network will play the role of a bridge between the public authorities and the representatives of field groups of interests and will consolidate the capacities of the member organizations so as to offer feedback to the adminstrtaion concerning the situation in the rural sector. Another objective is to promote an efficient flow of information, exchange of knowledge, ideas and good practices between the interested sides by staging training seminars, roundtable meetings, debate workshops and conferences.
Attending the event, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Iurie Usurelu said that together with the creation of this body the Ministry will acquire a development partner that represents the whole territory of the country. Being responsible for the formulation of policies in this large and very important sector, the Ministry needs to keep pace with the necessities of those for whom these are designed.
The creation of the network is support by the EU Delegation to Moldova. Deputy head of the Delegation’s Projects and Technical Cooperation Section Marco Gemmer said the rural areas in Europe are the driving force of economic growth. “The National Network for Rural Development is a body that will bring together different organisms from the private sector and civil society and producers. This Network is an example of good governance,” stated the official.
Aurelia Bondari, executive director of the Farmers’ Federation of Moldova FRAM, said this is a multisector platform that involves both the private sector and civil society and the central and local public administration. This experience is inspired by the European practice where the decisions and positons are adopted by consensus. The representatives of the new body will become involved in the analysis and improvement of policies related to rural development and the legal framework. Among other aspects are the development of capacities, integration into the European networks and borrowing of innovative practices.
The memorandum of understanding for the creation and functioning of the National Network for Rural Development of Moldova was signed by about 150 representatives. The network has ten regional platforms in the country. Among its members are the Farmers’ Federation of Moldova, the National Farmers’ Federation and the National Association of Agricultural Producers “UniAgroProtect”.
