CNFA: Almond producers from Moldova are benefiting from free external consultancy

CNFA: Almond producers from Moldova are benefiting from free external consultancy

• 08.09.2010

 Around 10 almond producers from Moldova will benefit from free consultancy provided by an American expert between September 8 and September 24. The producers have decided to apply for highly qualified assistance from abroad given Moldova has no traditions in growing almonds. For this very purpose, Mr. David Doll, specializing in almond growing, was selected on a contest basis for participating in the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, implemented in our country by the USAID-funded organization CNFA.

In accordance with the producers’ requirements, the expert’s activity will be mostly focused on evaluating the existent practices of almond growing business management and developing recommendations in order to increase the managerial and production performance. The assistance will also focus on different matters of business planning in the industry, including prior estimation of challenges and opportunities. Moreover, the consultancy will also address the most efficient storage and processing techniques, as well as the required equipment in order to perform these operations.

The expert will mostly assist the Vlasov Vladimir Family Farm from the village of Ruseşti, Anenii Noi district, established in the year 2003. When the business was launched, all it had were eight hectares of land planted with almonds. Five years later, the almond growing area was expanded up to 80 hectares. The decision to grow almonds was based on a market research, which has proven the existence of a significant potential for this product both on the domestic and foreign market.

Almond growing in Moldova was started in 2002. According to the existing statistical data, there are almost 20 growers involved in this industry, while the overall almond plantation surface is more than 1000 hectares. Almost half of the existing almond plantations will bear fruit already next year. The average yield for a hectare is currently 2.5 tons of almonds with shell or 800 kg of kernels. So far, seven almond varieties have been homologated in Moldova, including five of them at the Institute of Horticulture. The almond growers are mostly selling their product on the domestic market, at a price of 30 lei per 100 grams of almonds in the supermarkets. The experts are projecting an expansion of the almond plantations up to the total surface of 3000 hectares until the year 2020. Almonds are mostly grown in the center and the south of Moldova.

The FtF program provides the farmers’ groups, cooperatives, and agribusinesses with the opportunity to benefit from free American consultancy in order to improve their performances, by ensuring them a professional approach of the technical and financial matters. The assistance is provided to the companies and farmers that have proven a strong commitment and clear ideas for achieving superior results, and have a verified track record of successful business operation. The consultancy is provided during a period of up to three weeks for two strategic agricultural sub-sectors - production of fruit and vegetables and dairy products. The estimated value of the consultancy for the year 2010 is of almost $1 million.

CNFA is an organization for international development from USA, established 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. CNFA has a successful track record of performance in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, and has managed over $200 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs over the past decade. 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.: 022 24 03 11, 069 260-005), nmocanu@moldova.cnfa.org, www.cnfa.md)