Despite Traditional Hospitality, Moldovan Farmers Refuse to Welcome Avian Influenza March 21, 2007
Model Poultry Farm Program, financed by USAID and implemented by CNFA and ACSA helps 97 farmers build secure poultry farms and informs 100 thousands on Avian Flu prevention
It is almost impossible to find a household in Moldovan villages where poultry is not raised. According to official statistics, there are about 20 million domestic birds in Moldova, out of which 90% are located in households from rural area.
In most cases the conditions at these farms do not correspond to general requirements for prevention of avian flu since most poultry are raised using extensive technologies outside the household, with poultry flocks having direct contact with other domestic and wild birds, as well as with people and primarily with children. This represents a great danger for the occurrence and spread of avian influenza all around.
The Model Poultry Farm Program (MPFP), financed by USAID and implemented by the National Agency for Rural Development (ACSA) under a sub contract with CNFA aimed to prevent avian influenza appearance and spread by providing approved housing for domestic poultry flocks. The project supported the rural population in creation of model poultry houses that are located near the farmer’s household and implemented advanced poultry breeding technologies and appropriate management of manure.
As a result 97 Model Poultry Farms were built and located in all regions of Moldova. They meet the requirements necessary to avoid avian influenza infection, but also increased the revenues obtained by model farm owners by improving farm management. MPFP covered up to 60% of the costs of farm construction.
An information and promotion awareness campaign was carried out in parallel with construction of the poultry houses. More than 20,000 information brochures were distributed and 400 information seminars and on-spot presentations were completed. Almost 10 thousand household poultry breeders participated in these activities. In addition more than 100 thousand rural inhabitants were informed about model poultry farms as an efficient instrument of avian flu prevention through mass media presentations with more than 180 media reports prepared and additional presentations aired on 38 TV shows, 64 radio broadcasts and 79 articles in national and regional newspapers.
 | Photo caption: Mrs. Feodora Cozlovschi from Niscani village watches proudly at her Model Farm. Over 90 village inhabitants participated in the presentation held on her farm. |  | Photo caption: The Model Poultry Farm of Visarion Papusoi, from Dubasarii Vechi village was the subject of a local newspaper article. | | 
