Agricultural producers in many regions of Moldova protested today, September 17, due to dissatisfaction with the measures taken by the government and parliament.
The Forța Fermierilor (Power of Farmers) association said that the government’s actions “although aimed at benefiting farmers, do not solve even a quarter of the serious problems facing the country’s agricultural sector.”
The association claims that the measures taken by the authorities are the result of its demands, but “only their form and content are completely ineffective.” They ask the president Maia Sandu return the bill to parliament for further relevant amendments.
“No proposals submitted by the association were taken into account. It is very important for the public to know that the law passed by Parliament on Friday, although it announces the suspension of debt payments for 6 months, but only for a small part of farmers, approximately 20%, these debts will be suspended. And after this period, these farmers will also have to pay and will be declared insolvent.” – the farmers stress.
The association’s press release states that all farmers unanimously believe that the state is creating the conditions to first bankrupt farmers who do not fall within the terms of this special law, and then bankrupt the remaining farmers after six months.
Let us remember that last week the head of the Ministry of Agriculture Vladimir Bolya He said that his department has prepared a bill that will allow declaring a state of emergency in the industry. The official also presented a regulation that establishes a procedure for providing assistance to farmers whose wheat and corn crops were affected by natural emergencies in 2024, such as drought and extreme heat. At the same time, lands located in the zone of irrigation systems, as well as previously subsidized lands, are not eligible for financial assistance from the state. It is only available to those whose heat and drought have damaged at least 60% of their corn crop and at least 70% of their wheat crop.
Farmers say that the 100 million lei in aid promised by the government is insufficient. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the State Tax Inspectorate withdraws funds from farmers’ accounts despite the presence of accrued VAT, which could be used to pay off debts. This issue could be resolved if parliament were to pass a law extending the VAT refund. This is what the “Power of Farmers” association is currently seeking.
