| The assistance also focused on matters of heating
methods that require minimum resources, both during the
seedling stage, and during the ultimate growing one. The experts have also provided consultancy on modern
techniques of soil preparation for ensuring higher yields, pest management, and organic methods of pest control.
Finally, Moldovan vegetable growers have benefited from assistance on matters of greenhouse ventilation,
seedling production and selection of highly productive and disease resistant varieties.
Stanislav Balan, director of Podgoreni LTD, from Lingura, Cantemir, states: "We have benefited from this
consultancy before initiating the business, and it allowed us to avoid many potential errors. Moreover, the
expert has completely changed our vision on how to grow vegetables. I am sure we will succeed now, after
learning about the most efficient cost reduction technological processes, and about processes that
increase productivity." Among the most important recommendations of the experts can be listed: (1) to improve post-harvesting practices,
and to assimilate advanced production technologies in the same time. In order to achieve this, the Moldovan
farmers are suggested to ensure the sorting, cleaning, and the cooling of the products after harvesting, with the
main purpose to ensure a higher quality, extend the shelf life, and market the products more profitably. (2) the
experts have also paid attention to the frequent for Moldova practices to produce seedlings directly in the soil.
According to the analyses that have been performed all over the world, growing seedlings in sterile spaces avoids
different plant diseases at an earlier stage - diseases that the eventually affect the growing stages, the crops, and
the ultimate productivity. (3) moreover, the American experts are suggesting to local producers to assimilate new
methods of improving soil fertility, as well as to ensure greenhouse ventilation at the seedling production stage. (4)
the experts are welcoming the first attempts of the Moldovan farmers to assess agricultural crops profitability, and
encourage them to benefit from professional assistance on the matter. Bruce Williams, PhD, agricultural and horticulture consultant from North Carolina mentions: "Even if Moldovan
farmers have limited financial resources, they are very open to new ideas. In the spring of 2010 I have
visited Moldova for the fifth time. Since my first visit in 2006, significant changes happened here. I think
the farms are rapidly developing, and will soon be able to access the world market, especially because
Moldova is at a more advanced stage of implementing international food safety standards than other
countries of this region". The consultancy is provided on a voluntary basis within the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (FtF), implemented in our
country by the USAID-funded organization CNFA. The Farmer-to-Farmer Program provides the farmers’ groups,
cooperatives, and agribusinesses with the opportunity to benefit from free American consultancy in order to
improve their performances, by professionally approaching technical and financial matters. The American
volunteers are initially selected in order to assist a host business during a period of up to three weeks. However,
while they are in our country, and depending on their availability, the volunteers can also provide short-term
assistance to other farmers and businesses that require it.
In order to learn more about the assistance that is provided with the support of the Farmer-to-Farmer
Program, you can access the web page www.cnfa.md or contact us by e-mail at info@moldova.cnfa.org. |
