Around 300 farmers are expected to benefit from the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, with investments of more than €63 million and a 3% contribution of their own. The project is one of three agricultural initiatives presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry on 29 October 2026 in Chișinău, at the “Building Moldova” event.
In brief
Technical preparations for the irrigation project are planned for 2027, while rehabilitation works are expected to begin in 2028.
The “Moldova Orchard 2” programme envisages €150 million in funding from the European Investment Bank.
The IFAD 9 project has a budget of more than $43 million to support agricultural enterprises.
What does the irrigation project envisage?
The irrigation system rehabilitation project aims, in its first phase, to provide access to water for approximately 6,900 hectares of agricultural land. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, investments of more than €63 million are planned in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Beneficiaries will contribute 3% of the investment value. The schedule presented separates technical preparations, planned for 2027, from rehabilitation works, which are expected to begin in 2028.
What investments are planned under “Moldova Orchard 2”?
The “Moldova Orchard 2” programme is intended for farmers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The €150 million in funding from the European Investment Bank is expected to mobilise total investments estimated at €300 million through around 750 projects.
The funds are earmarked for infrastructure used after harvesting, processing, packaging, digitalisation and research. The ministry estimates that the programme will help create at least 1,000 jobs and increase exports by 30%; these are expected outcomes, not results already achieved.
What support is announced under IFAD 9?
The IFAD 9 project has a budget of more than $43 million for the development of agricultural enterprises. The announced support includes consultancy, investment to expand and modernise farms, and measures to facilitate access for domestic agri-food products to retail chains.
The ministry presents the three initiatives as tools for developing processing and shifting from the export of raw materials to the export of products with greater added value. For IFAD 9 and “Moldova Orchard 2”, the published information does not specify application deadlines or detailed participation requirements.
Questions and answers
When are works on the irrigation systems planned?
Technical preparations are planned for 2027, while rehabilitation works are expected to begin in 2028.
What contribution will beneficiaries make to the irrigation project?
Beneficiaries will contribute 3% of the investment value.
Sources
- Ministerul Agriculturii și Industriei Alimentare — Trei proiecte strategice de investiții pentru modernizarea sectorului agroalimentar, prezentate în cadrul evenimentului „Construim Moldova”
Written with AI assistance from the official sources above and checked by the editors.
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