1. Support of small- and middle-sized farmers while switching to organic farming and increasing their competitiveness
2. Support of the organic-farming sector in Moldova and its integration into the European organic trade

• 10 organic producers – owners of so-called demonstration farms
• 60 farmers – participants of specialised seminars
• Moldova certificate authority “Certificat-Eco”, established in 2006 and nationally accredited on15April 2008
• Experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as from the non-governmental sector
• 600 small farmers who are planning to switch to organic farming

Country / region: Moldova

 

Description of project: The organic farming sector in Moldova grows year by year and offers a wide range of organic products. Unfortunately, it is not very well integrated into the global trading system. Also, the quality of products and the trading system used are thought to be rather problematic. Similarly, the dependency of farmers on certificate owners, who are often traders as well, is inappropriate. For small farms, the costs needed to gain a foreign certificate are too high.

 

The development goal of the project, which Caritas CR cooperates on, together with the Moldovan company ProRuralInvest, is increasing the competitiveness and efficiency of small- and middle-sized farmers in Moldova. At least 30 agricultural producers will be trained in the techniques of organic-farming management, the creation of marketing strategies and business plans.  Caritas CR will establish at least ten demonstration farms in order to clearly present the principles of organic farming.

 

Employees of the certificate authority “Certificat-Eco” will gain knowledge needed to inspect and certify organic products according to EU standards, and the company itself will obtain international accreditation. Moldovan experts will learn about the principles of organic farming and the relevant legislation. Examples of good practice in increasing competitiveness and efficiency through organic production will then spread among the target group. Experts from the Moldovan public will be informed about these examples as well.

 

In the period 2009-2010, the partner organisation ProRuralInvest implemented a programme financed by the Soros Foundation Moldova called “Support of organic farming through promoting European norms and their incorporation in the local legislation”. The programme had a general aim of supporting organic farming as a viable alternative to the resolution of the socio-economic problems in Moldova. The project supported the development of specific rules of applying labels on and packing organic farming products according to regulation EU 834/2007, the development of the national brand “Organic Farming in Moldova” and the authorisation of the national trademark.

 

Total budget: 370 718 EUR

 

Donor: Czech Development Agency