The Peace Corps and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry signed a memorandum of understanding to extend the assistance provided by the U.S. volunteers in Moldova's agricultural sector for the next five years, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Agriculture Valeriu Cosarciuc thanked the U.S. Ambassador Asif Chaudry for the support offered by the United States to Moldova, mainly in agriculture. For his part, the U.S. diplomat said more than 1,000 volunteers have been in Moldova since 1993, 150 of whom worked in the agricultural sector. “These people represent America's volunteer spirit,” said Asif Chaudry. “They could have chosen to lie on the beach, but decided to devote their time and energy to the Moldovan farmers.” The Peace Corps volunteers during 1997-2009 worked in 62 Moldovan communities, cooperated with 58 NGOs and helped 500 farmers and 330 young people as part of the Rural Business and Agribusinesses Development Project. While in Moldova, the volunteers offer assistance to service providers working in agriculture, animal breeders, vegetable growers, etc. The memorandum was signed by Minister of Agriculture Valeriu Cosarciuc and Peace Corps Country Director Jeffrey Goveia. Under it, 60 volunteers will work in the agricultural sector for five years.