Farmers in Moldova affected by spring frosts and July storms have begun receiving compensation, according to the Agricultural Intervention and Payments Agency (AIPA). The agency reported receiving 690 applications over the past two months, of which 91 have been approved, totalling 19 million lei in support. AIPA noted that assistance is available to sugar beet growers and to producers with cherry, apricot, plum, almond, peach, and apple orchards, as well as vineyards damaged in the Cahul district during the July 21 storm.
The Commission for Emergencies allocated 100 million lei for compensation on September 10. In April, Moldova experienced its most severe frost in three decades, affecting half of the sugar beet area in Dondușeni, Drochia, Râșcani, Fălești, Florești, and Ocnița districts, along with many orchards. The July storms also destroyed about 30 hectares of vineyards in Lebedenco, Cahul district.
Compensation for sugar beet producers applies to areas up to 500 hectares per applicant, regardless of the size of the damaged land. Financial support will cover the full cost of reseeding based on tax invoices.
For orchard crops, compensation levels vary by crop type: 14,000 lei per hectare for cherries (about US$784), 13,100 lei for apricots (about US$734), 12,000 lei for plums (about US$673), 10,000 lei for almonds and peaches (about US$561), and 8,000 lei for apples (about US$449).
Winegrowers in Cahul affected by the July storm will receive 35,000 lei per hectare (about US$1,966). For plots smaller than one hectare, payments will be proportional to the affected area.
Source: Radio Moldova
