Land user support

Agriculture is one of the leading sectors in the economy of Pridnestrovie. Joint working group discussed what measures the state can and should take in conditions of drought and quarantine in order to minimize agricultural losses and ensure food security of the republic at the site of the Government.

Minister of Agriculture Efimy Koval said that grain and industrial crops producers began to suffer losses due to the autumn drought. Several pumping stations have already been launched where there were applications for irrigation. Both winter and early vegetable crops are watered. The Minister noted that, according to forecasts, decrease in the production of crops is expected. It is approximately 20-25%. However, according to the department’s calculations, meat production will remain at the same level, while milk production will increase. At the same time, agriculture was affected not only by natural climatic conditions, but also by the pandemic of the new coronavirus. Due to the introduction of quarantine, farmers cannot sell their products. Borders are closed; wholesale and retail markets are temporarily closed in Pridnestrovie.

Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture Oleg Leontyev emphasized that today our agricultural industry has begun to recover from the peak thanks to subsidized loan rates. Agricultural producers took loans, calculated business plans, which were focused mainly on Russia. Now all business plans require adjustment.

One of the proposals that have been repeatedly heard at the meeting was the proposal to cancel the payment for water for irrigation or to partially reduce it.

Questions were raised at the meeting regarding resuming the work of wholesale markets, as farmers were faced with the problem of selling their products.

This proposal was supported by representatives of the working group. They agreed that in order to resume the wholesale and retail sale of agricultural products, it is necessary to properly equip trading floors so that sanitary control is like in supermarkets.

As a result, it was decided to create a commission, which will include deputies of the Supreme Council, representatives of the Government and the banking community. The commission will develop measures, and in a week these measures will be discussed in the course of the meeting of the joint working group.