CNFA: Three American experts are providing free consultancy to Moldovan agribusinesses in May

CNFA: Three American experts are providing free consultancy to Moldovan agribusinesses in May

• 14.05.2010

Three American experts will stay in Moldova in order to provide local agribusinesses with free consultancy in the month of May, during different periods of time. The assistance will be mostly focusing on advanced technologies of table grapes and strawberry growing, as well as on developing continuous development strategies for cooperatives. The consultancy is provided voluntarily by highly qualified U.S. experts, selected on a contest basis within the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (FtF), implemented in our country by the USAID-funded organization CNFA.
Paul Read, doctor of horticulture, professor of viticulture at the Linkoln University, the state of Nebraska, will assist Podgoreni LTD, from Lingura, Cantemir, on matters of advanced table grapes growing technologies and modern practices of vineyard management. The volunteer will train Podgoreni LTD staff and management on matters of land evaluation, soil preparation, and the optimum distance between the cuttings when establishing highly productive table grape vineyards. Due to the obtained knowledge and experience, Podgoreni LLC is hoping to increase its productivity and table grapes quality, as well as its income.
Moreover, two other volunteers have continued their activity in Moldova, in the first half of May, in order to conclude their assignments which began in April. We must mention here the assistance of Dianne Twete, doctor of horticulture at the Oregon State University, provided to the members of the Ungheni Strawberry Growers’ Group. The assistance has mostly focused on modern methods of strawberry growing. As well, Dick Edwards, doctor of science and business consultant, has performed a general evaluation of the business cooperative “Agrostoc” and assisted the cooperative management in creating a continuous development strategy for this economic unit.

The American experts are initially selected in order to assist a host business during a period of up to three weeks. While they are in our country, and depending on their availability, the volunteers can also provide short-term assistance to other farmers and businesses that require it.

The Farmer-to-Farmer Program provides the farmers’ groups, cooperatives, and agribusinesses with the opportunity to benefit from free American consultancy in order to improve their performances, by professionally approaching technical and financial matters. This year, at least 15 businesses from our country are expected to benefit from free consultancy, provided voluntarily by 25 American experts within the “Farmer to Farmer” Program.
 

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CNFA is an organization for international development from USA, founded in 1985, which is dedicated to increasing rural incomes by empowering farmers and rural entrepreneurs. CNFA activity is focused on agricultural development based on initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and finance for businesses. In the Republic of Moldova, CNFA is currently implementing the five-year “Farmer-to-Farmer” Program, worth $2.5 million, and has recently concluded the $12 million-worth Agribusiness Development Program.

For details please contact Nadejda MOCANU, “Farmer to Farmer” Program Coordinator (tel.:240311, 069260005), nmocanu@moldova.cnfa.org, www.cnfa.md).