Diagnosis of the agri-food value chains in the Republic of Moldova

The main aim of the paper is to present the state of the agro-food value chain in the Republic of Moldova in conditions of incomplete information and uncertainty. In order to accomplish this general scope, the methodological approaches were adjusted to the available scarce data and existing research resources. Three important outputs are foreseen as a result of the investigation: description of the current situation of the components of agri-food value chains and interaction among them; the rapid analysis of the main dimensions of the chain; identification of constraints and development opportunities. Performance of the agro-food value chains in the Republic of Moldova is affected by high energy costs, unstable sources of inputs supply, restricted access to end-markets. It is also necessary to improve the investment climate in order to modernize the agri-food chains

Evaluation of agricultural support in the Republic of Moldova

This paper presents the outcome of the study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in collaboration with the National Institute for Economic Research in the Republic of Moldova. The paper assesses the level and structure of government support to agriculture in Moldova by using a combination of formal quantitative, informal quantitative and qualitative analysis. Application of the PSE methodology by OECD provides a standardized quantitative method of measurement of support to agricultural sector. The methodology is based on comparing output producers' prices (farm gate prices) with prices expected without policy interventions, e.g. market equilibrium or reference prices. Reference price must be selected in a way that best represents the opportunity costs of producing the commodity domestically. The effect of the public policy is measured by the difference between market and reference prices. If the difference between market and reference output prices is positive, policy causes benefits to producers, and if negative - policy leads to implicit taxation of the farmers. The paper suggests strategies and policy actions in order to increase efficiency of public support to agriculture with the focus on export growth

Assessement of competitiviness of moldovan agri-food products at the regional level

The paper aims to assess the competitiveness of Moldovan agri-food products at the regional level, with an emphasis on neighbouring countries. Taking into account the latest trends in export of agri-food products, it is becoming necessary to analyze what are the most competitive Moldovan products on the regional EU market. In order to carry out the proposed assessment, the Revealed Comparative Advantage index has been used. This index helps calculating the relative advantage or disadvantage of a specific country in a certain class of goods as evidenced by trade flows. As a result, products with a significant comparative advantage have been identified, meaning the existence of the competitive potential at the regional level. At the same time, several proposals have been formulated in order to increase the competitiveness’ level of selected Moldovan agri-food products

Development of coopeatives in the Republic of Moldova

The paper presents the review of the development of cooperatives in the Republic of Moldova during the post independence period. After the massive land privatization a large number of small scale agricultural producers occurred that hardly can compete with large scale producers. This preserves a state of underdevelopment of small farmers and of the rural sector. To identify problems that jeopardize cooperation processes and potential solutions a study on the development of cooperatives in the country was carried out. The major problems and possible solutions were identified through a semi-structured survey that encompassed 150 agricultural producers purposively selected in North, Central and South regions of the country. Addressing this critical situation can be made by coagulating dispersed efforts of small scale farmers to reduce costs of purchasing agricultural inputs and services, improve the access to post harvest, processing, transportation, financing, consulting services. Access to more stable markets and negotiation of better prices and better conditions of delivery can also be achieved through consolidated efforts agricultural producers’ groups

AGRICULTURAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN MOLDOVA OVER ONE DECADE: RECENT ESTIMATES AND AN OUTLOOK TOWARDS EU ACCESSION

Public support for the agricultural sector of Moldova represents an essential priority of the bodies entitled to the development and implementation of public policies in the field of agriculture. Given the accelerated attempts to join the European Union, an alignment of the Moldovan agricultural policy to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and broader EU green infrastructure with Green Deal and Farm to Fork, are receiving an increasing attention. In order to support the policy makers and the experts with input for the EU legal approximation and future EU accession negotiations, this article presents recent estimates of public support for the agricultural sector of the Moldova using the OECD methodology. More specifically, the Producer Support Estimate (PSE) results are presented for eleven products covering the period 2007-2018. Despite increasing budgetary support of agricultural producers from the Government of Moldova, PSE for most commodities is negative. Given the relatively low relevance of trade interventions, the calculated price differentials hint at non-policy-related barriers to price transmission between the border and the farm gate. Potential reasons are discussed, and policy recommendations are developed. Furthermore, the structure of public policies for agriculture and rural areas, approximated by the General Services Support Estimate (GSSE), are presented. The comparison with the current CAP reveals that the structure of instruments differs substantially. Funding for the current Moldovan agricultural policy is heavily concentrated on investment support and the inspection and control system. Although the CAP might be further reformed until Moldova joins the EU, environmental and rural development policy objectives will remain paramount within the EU, and the relevant ministries should start to develop suitable joint strategies

Development of coopeatives in the Republic of Moldova

The paper presents the review of the development of cooperatives in the Republic of Moldova during the post independence period. After the massive land privatization a large number of small scale agricultural producers occurred that hardly can compete with large scale producers. This preserves a state of underdevelopment of small farmers and of the rural sector. To identify problems that jeopardize cooperation processes and potential solutions a study on the development of cooperatives in the country was carried out. The major problems and possible solutions were identified through a semi-structured survey that encompassed 150 agricultural producers purposively selected in North, Central and South regions of the country. Addressing this critical situation can be made by coagulating dispersed efforts of small scale farmers to reduce costs of purchasing agricultural inputs and services, improve the access to post harvest, processing, transportation, financing, consulting services. Access to more stable markets and negotiation of better prices and better conditions of delivery can also be achieved through consolidated efforts agricultural producers’ groups

Migration governance and agrarian and rural development: Comparative lessons from China, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal and Thailand

The purpose of this policy brief is to draw together key comparative lessons on different types of migration governance interventions in the AGRUMIG project research regions and examine how they support positive feedback loops between migration and agrarian and rural development. This exploration offers stories of success and omission. Moving beyond the elusive triple-win situation on the benefits of migration for destination and origin countries, migrants themselves and the highly politicized domain of the migration-development nexus, our point of departure is that there are vital prospects for augmenting the positive impacts of migration for societies globally. This brief focuses on how migration governance interventions are potentially useful in maximizing the gains between migration and agrarian development in the sending communities in China, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal and Thailand

Structural transformations from rural area in the Republic of Moldova

This paper focuses on the links between rural transformations and sustainable livelihoods, looking in particular at the impact of the structural changes over the national economy. In order to achieve this, there were used the following research methods such as: analysis of the economic indicators, methods of comparative analysis, assessment of the public policies’ impact on the rural development.The agri-food sector in the Republic of Moldova is based on extensive farming and is insufficiently adapted to market economy conditions. There is a growing understanding in the country that the rural economy is not confined to the agricultural sector, but embraces the broad spectrum of needs of all rural people including living standards, economic activities and natural resources. The paper contains conclusions and proposals on diversification of agriculture and non farm activities in rural area

Moldo-Romanian trade with agri-food products: Retrospective and perspectives

The paper aims to present the trade relations with agri-food products between the Republic of Moldova and Romania during the period 2000 - 2018. Being neighbouring countries, connected not only through the existing border, but also through common historical aspect, the trade with agri-food products is of particular importance for both of countries. Analysis of the trade is carried out by product types, presented in 3 periods: 2000 - 2006, 2007 - 2014 when Romania became an EU member state and 2015 - 2018, after entering into force of DCFTA. Research methods are based on statistical analysis, using the data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova and UN Comtrade database and Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova. Overall, there is a growing trend in export and import increase between the countries, while Romania continues to be the top-partner for Moldovanexport of agri-food products. The paper suggests further proposals for cooperation between the countries, with a focus on increasing export values by the both sides