The agricultural sector is exposed to climate change and the rehabilitation of the irrigation sector is therefore a priority. But things cannot be changed overnight, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Viorel Gherciu said, when asked about the scarce precipitation and concerns about the state of winter crops. In a news conference, the official said that only 200,000 ha were sowed with winter crops this year, as opposed to over 300,000 ha the previous years. Owing to the low level of soil moisture, the crops are in a bad state and some of the areas will be probably sowed again. Additional costs will be therefore incurred, IPN reports.
“Namely for these reasons, the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to have an intense dialogue with the donors and the Ministry of Finance so as to identity the necessary financial resources and to attract investments for rehabilitating the irrigation sector so that we ensure at least partial protection and a particular harvest and can ensure the country’s food security,” stated Viorel Gherciu.
Contacted earlier by IPN for a comment, Vasile Mârzenco, executive director of the National Farmers Federation, said that owing to the scarce precipitation this autumn, grain harvest next year will decrease essentially. The wheat and other winter crops sprout with difficulty due to the insufficiency of water in soil. The situation is alarming and can worsen further if it does not rain in spring. The state will have to take measures to ensure the country’s food security.
