Economy
Energetic plantations- opportunities for energetic security in Moldova
Moldova, dependent on imported energy resources, must proceed, like other countries, to the implementation of projects designed to contribute to energy security. In this context, the national program set concrete targets to increase the share of renewable energy sources.
Development partners, especially the EU, encourages the initiation of such projects. This would help our country achieve an objective of the European Union – until 2020, approximately 20% of energy to come from renewable energy sources. Thus, in parallel with renewable energy from biomass as an important source of energy, the energetic forestry is promoted. In support of this idea comes Technical Guide Energetic wooden cultures with short cycle” developed under the ENPI FLEG II Program, funded by the European Commission.
“The main purpose of the Guidelines is to provide advice and guidance to owners of forest land, other than the state forestry authority (community forest lands, privates, etc.) to promote communal or private forest sector in the immediate process of creating and maintaining energy plantations/forests and other types of forest plantations”- stated the authors.
Given that this field is still new, unknown, those who would like to create plantations of this type require specific information for professional advice, so the user wants to be an effective tool for all those interested to know the advantages and woody energy crops need planting short-cycle production and to be actively involved in solving ecological problems.
Plantations pilot energy profile in Telenești
Practical way of this intention is realized by the Company for forestry “Teleneşti” which installed in the nursery Sărătenii Vechi a collection of clones of poplar by multiplying vegetative biological material imported from Romania, a country which already has experience in using forestry energy as alternative resources and the origin for the base material being Italy, Austria and Ukraine for the 4 clones of the base material.
They also created two pilot plants energy-directed, including 9,400 poplar cuttings artificial hybrids on a total area of 1,20 ha.
This practice should be taken as the benefits of this field are obvious – grown only once, it can be exploited annually for a period of up to 25 years; protecting forests, one hectare of willow produces 35-40 tonnes of timber, depending on the type of soil and water regime; It can be used as raw material for furniture, lumber etc. second year costs are minimal; heating with energy plants is 10 times cheaper than with the diesel and 30% than with the natural gas – according to study “Strengthening the capacity of local businesses and promoting pilot energy forests” produced by Arcadia Macari, forestry engineer chief Forestry “Teleneşti”. It is also mentioned the financial aspect in the creation of energy plantations.
The advantages and benefits of the eco forestry
“The cost of establishing a hectare of energy plantation depends on the status of the chosen land and planted species and ranges from 130-200 thousand lei per hectare.
The return on investment is made in 3-4th year from planting. The needs of plants in one hectare is 6000-25000 cuttings”- stressed the forester.
It must be mentioned that such a business could be profitable, because Moldova has many vacant lands, especially in meadows, ponds, where there is a favorable environment for such plants. A considerable reserve of land for planting can be degraded soils, which, according to the Land Register, occupies over 800 thousand hectares, of which 500 thousand ha- weakly eroded, 250 thousand ha – moderately weathered and over 100 thousand ha – eroded.
Creating energy plantations, guaranteeing a reliable source of energy, protect forests from deforestation and illegal logging for firewood.
Strengthening the cultivation of energy plants certainly would ecology paying us beneficial influence on the energy potential, social-economic and, of course, the standard of living of the people – concludes Arcadia Macari, Chief forestry engineer Forestry Enterprise “Telenești”.
Advice of the specialist. Efficient increase.
Harvesting branches for poplar willow and wicker cuttings is usually made from the mother plant crops in dormant period (January – 15 March), the frost-free days. Cutting is carried out with sharp tools (scissors alive, saw the trees, etc.). Making cuttings is done with electric or manually operated machine.
The cut is performed 3-5 mm above the bud, which will be flat, perpendicular to the cuttings at the top and at an angle of 45° to the base to facilitate inputting into the soil. The length of the cuttings is about 20 cm in diameter at the end of 8-10mm thick.
Not to affect agriculture and fertilizer biomass potential and keep the proportions it is needed to effectively grow energy crops. Production of biomass in this way should be an effective branch of the national economy, such as agriculture, forestry etc.
Author: Anatol Caciuc
Economy
Moldova will receive a disbursement of 36 million euros as part of the the Economic Recovery Plan
This week, the European Commission approved the disbursement of 36 million euros in grant money for the Republic of Moldova. The announcement was made by Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, Katarina Mathernova, who paid an official visit to the Republic of Moldova between September 13-15, together with Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional cooperation and OSCE, at the European External Action Service, Michael Siebert.
The EU officials had meetings with President Maia Sandu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, Speaker of Parliament, Igor Grosu, Prime Minister of the country, Natalia Gavrilita, as well as key representatives of Government, international financial institutions and the civil society, according to a press release issued by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
Beside such topics as the EU-Moldova relations and prospects, the priorities of the reform agenda of the new Moldovan Government, preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit at the end of the year and the Transnistrian conflict settlement, the officials also discussed the EU assistance in support of reforms and the Economic Recovery Plan for Moldova, which was announced in June with a total EU support of 600 million euros over the next 3 years.
“The first measures under the Economic Recovery Plan will shortly materialize, with the expected disbursement of 36 million euros in grant money under budget support programmes to support the authorities’ efforts to fight against the consequences of the pandemic. Moldova can count on EU’s assistance on its path to reforms and to recovery, bringing tangible results to citizens,” Katarina Mathernova stated.
The plan is based on assistance provided by the European Union through various bilateral and regional instruments, aiming to mobilize the funds in the form of grants, loans, guarantees and macro-financial assistance.
“The Economic Recovery Plan for the Republic of Moldova involves much more, not just this financial support provided immediately. It must help digital transformation, strengthen infrastructure, energy efficiency, education and support small and medium-sized enterprises,” the EU official also said.
As Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita informed, “The Economic Recovery Plan and the 5 flagship initiatives for Moldova in the Eastern Partnership will directly contribute to the reform and consolidation of institutions, stimulate long-term socio-economic development, bring direct benefits to citizens, and unleash new economic opportunities through promoting the green agenda and digitization. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been hit hard by the crisis. Promoting and diversifying access to finance and reducing collateral requirements will be essential in supporting economic operators. We are grateful to the EU partners who will launch two programs to support 50 000 independent Moldovan SMEs to adapt to the new conditions.”
President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, welcomed the decision of the European Union to disburse about 745 million lei in grant money, as the official page of the President’s Office announced. “EU support comes after a long period of freezing of European assistance, caused by former governments. We managed to relaunch the political dialogue with the European Union and resume financial assistance. The Republic of Moldova is gradually regaining the trust of its strategic partners. This European support is also a signal of encouragement for the new Government team in its commitment to clean up the institutions, fight corruption and launch development programs in the country,” said Maia Sandu.
Photo: unknown
Economy
Romania and Moldova signed a partnership memorandum pledging to cooperate in promoting their wines
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (CCIR) and the National Office for Vine and Wine (NOVW) of the Republic of Moldova signed, last week, a memorandum of cooperation on organizing joint promotional activities in the markets of common interest, as the CCIR announced.
China, Japan or the USA are just some of the markets targeted by the Romanian and Moldovan institutions. The memorandum also involves advertising activities for wines from common indigenous varieties, promoting the oeno-tourist region, developing a tourist route in the two states, exchange of experience, study visits, and mutual support in identifying new export opportunities. “We are very confident that this collaboration between our organizations will lead to sustainable economic growth and a higher degree of well-being among Moldovans and Romanians,” claimed Deputy Secretary-General of CCIR, Bogdan Visan.
On the other hand, Director of the NOVW, Cristina Frolov, declared that no open competition with Romania is aimed at the governmental level of the Republic of Moldova. “This request for collaboration is a consequence of the partnership principle. Romania imports 10-12% of the wine it consumes, and we want to take more from this import quota. Every year, the Romanian market grows by approximately 2.8%, as it happened in 2020, and we are interested in taking a maximum share of this percentage of imported wines without entering into direct competition with the Romanian producer,” the Moldovan official said. She also mentioned that Moldova aims at increasing the market share of wine production by at least 50% compared to 2020, and the number of producers present on the Romanian market – by at least 40%.
Source: ccir.ro
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According to the data of the Romanian National Trade Register Office, the total value of Romania-Moldova trade was 1.7 billion euros at the end of last year and over 805 million euros at the end of May 2021. In July 2021, there were 6 522 companies from the Republic of Moldova in Romania, with a total capital value of 45.9 million euros.
The data of Moldova’s National Office of Vine and Wine showed that, in the first 7 months of 2021, the total quantity of bottled wine was about 27 million litres (registering an increase of 10% as compared to the same period last year), with a value of more than one billion lei, which is 32% more than the same period last year. Moldovan wines were awarded 956 medals at 32 international competitions in 2020.
Photo: ccir.ro
The Republic of Moldova has perfect weather conditions for growing walnut trees, that creating a great potential of walnut production and trade, especially on international markets, where the demand is way higher than the product’s supply. National and international experts believe that the country’s walnut production industry is on the verge of important transformations, which could lead to increased yields, quality and competitiveness worldwide.
According to authorities, Moldova exports 34-35 thousand tons of walnuts in shell, which is about 7% of the total export of fruit and 5% of the total export of horticultural products. The export value is assessed as being $120 million, that being 57-60% of the total fruit export value and about 50% of horticultural export value. Most of walnut crops are exported to the EU countries, such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Austria. The country’s exports were among the world’s top 10 when it comes to the highest dollar value of the product during 2020.
Viorel Gherciu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, pointed out that the production in the domestic walnut industry has increased by 55% in the last five years, which ranks Moldova among the main producers in the world.
“The biggest opportunity for this industry is that we are in the geographical proximity of the largest walnut import area in the world, which is the European Union, with almost 40% of total imports in the world. We are on the EU border, with privileged relations, with an Association Agreement. We already enjoy a good relationship in working with European importers, they trust our processors. A very close collaboration has been created and this is, in fact, the guarantee for those who invest in the area,” claimed the president of the Walnut Producers Association, Oleg Tirsina.
The data provided by the National Bureau of Statistics show that there are 34.7 thousand hectares of walnut plantations in the country. 20.90 hectares are represented by orchards. 75% of planted orchards are formed of old varieties trees. 30-35% of the exported production comes from orchards, the rest comes from individual farmers and plantations along the roads. This means that the quality of walnut production is not at its maximum potential. Developing commercial plantations through orchards modernization and extension of walnut varieties would provide double yield and better quality, experts say.
Governmental support in the form of subsidizing solutions, foreign investments and credit options are indispensable for the industry development. One of the financing options is the credit line of the European Investment Bank Project. Since 2016, 15 producers and processors of nuts, almonds and hazelnuts have benefited from these loans with the total amount of investments worth 8.7 million euros. A further extension of the project would provide another 60 million euros for the modernization of the horticultural sector in general and for harvesting organic walnuts in particular.
Photo: heymoldova.com
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