USAID/CNFA Have Awarded $500,000 to Producers and Processors through the Agribusiness Development Project in the Past Two Months. July 7, 2005
In the past two months, the USAID-funded Agribusiness Development Project implemented by CNFA has committed over $500,000 worth of investment in the high-value agricultural sector. These funds were awarded in the form of matching grants to 6 producers and 5 enterprises dealing with fruit and vegetable processing and storage. Grant recipients are investing over $800,000 of their own funds into these projects. Thus, the total amount of investment to improve the competitiveness of Moldova’s high value agricultural sector exceeds $1.3 million.
 These projects will be implemented in the next 1.5-2 years and will include new and advanced production and processing technologies for fruits, vegetables and table grapes. These projects will result in 30 ha under drip irrigation, 5 ha of vegetables under tunnels, 5 ha of new varieties of table grape plantations, 3 ha of apricot orchards and an upgraded drying line for organic fruits and vegetables. In addition, the projects will establish an additional brand new fruit drying facility, will renovate a 500-ton capacity refrigerated storage for fruits, and will build a small-scale storage facility for 150 tons of apples.
Expanded production capacity and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure will result in 240 new jobs in rural areas, in addition to 190 workers trained on use of new technologies. Export of high quality produce by assisted enterprises will increase by at least 30% and in some cases even by 65%. According to preliminary projections, profit margins will also increase by 30% to 60% as a result of expanded production volumes and improved efficiency.
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