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Moldova, France and the European Union strengthen their cooperation for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
A new major milestone has been reached in the cooperation between the Republic of Moldova, France and the European Union with the signing of two financing agreements totaling EUR 60 million, under the Integrated Development of Agriculture and Irrigation Programme (iDRIP). Resulting from a “Team Europe” partnership with Moldova, the project combines EUR 45 million in sovereign financing from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and a EUR 15 million grant from the European Union.
This is the first project in the field of agriculture supported under the European Union’s Growth Plan for Moldova. AFD is a major partner of the Moldovan authorities and the European Union for the operational implementation of the Plan’s investment pillar.
The signing ceremony was held on 14 May in Chisinau, on the occasion of the official visit to the Republic of Moldova of French Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad. The event brought together Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Cristina Gherasimov, Chargé d'affaires at the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova Mate Csicsai, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova Ludmila Catlabuga, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Moldova Dominique Waag, AFD Regional Director for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Mathieu Vasseur.
A Team Europe partnership for sustainable agriculture through modernised irrigation systems
The iDRIP project will support the rehabilitation of two public irrigation systems in the regions of Călinești and Criulenii de Sus, covering more than 3,000 hectares of irrigable land. The programme will also finance the development and rehabilitation of small water collection and storage infrastructure, benefiting at least an additional 750 hectares of agricultural land across the country.
Beyond infrastructure investments, the project aims to strengthen farmers’ resilience to droughts and climate shocks, through capacity-building activities promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, sustainable water and soil management, and diversification towards higher value-added production systems. The programme will also support water users associations and strengthen the institutional capacities of national agencies involved in irrigation and agricultural development.
The EUR 15 million grant financed by the European Union will support, in particular, investment activities, technical assistance and capacity building. In this framework, Expertise France, the technical cooperation agency of AFD Group, will be mobilised to provide support for project implementation, through the mobilisation of targeted international and local expertise for the benefit of national institutions, water users associations and farmers.
Minister Delegate for Europe of the French Republic Benjamin Haddad, stated: “Supporting Moldova also means supporting the resilience of its rural territories and agricultural sector in the face of climate change. The iDRIP programme reflects France’s commitment to working alongside Moldova on concrete projects that improve living conditions, strengthen food security and support the country’s European trajectory. This signing also illustrates the ability of France, AFD Group and the European Union to translate the priorities of the Growth Plan into concrete investments for the benefit of Moldovan citizens.”
Chargé d'affaires at the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova Mate Csicsai welcomed this initiative: “ The ambition of the European Union’s Growth Plan is to support concrete reforms and investments serving Moldova’s convergence toward the EU. Agriculture plays a central role in Moldova’s economy and in the livelihoods of many rural communities. I believe that this programme will create lasting opportunities for farmers while promoting a more efficient and more resilient management of natural resources in the face of climate change. ”
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova Ludmila Catlabuga stated: “iDRIP represents an important investment in the future of Moldova’s agriculture and rural communities. By rehabilitating irrigation systems and supporting farmers in their adaptation to climate change, this programme will help strengthen food security, improve living conditions in rural areas and create new opportunities for future generations.”
AFD Regional Director for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Mathieu Vasseur emphasized: “AFD Group is proud to support Moldova in building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. Through iDRIP, we aim not only to restore irrigation infrastructure, but also to support farmers and institutions in the transition towards more sustainable, diversified and economically viable agricultural models. This first signature of an investment project supported by the Growth Plan marks a new, very concrete stage in our support for Moldova’s European trajectory.”
About EU Growth Plan
The Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova worth €1.9 billion is the largest EU financial support package since Moldova's independence. It will boost Moldova's economy, bring the country closer to EU membership by accelerating reforms, enhancing access to the European Union's single market and provide significant financial assistance through a dedicated Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova for the period 2025-2027. The Growth Plan will mobilise investments for jobs and growth and, most importantly, transform the lives of the Moldovan citizens.
EU support to the Republic of Moldova comprises multiple instruments, such as direct budget support, macro-financial assistance, participation in the EU programmes, blending and guarantees.