CNFA: An American expert is providing professional consultancy on cost-effective energy use in the greenhouse production process

CNFA: An American expert is providing professional consultancy on cost-effective energy use in the greenhouse production process

• 09.11.2010

Given the heating costs are constantly growing, while the greenhouse production is the biggest energy consumer from all agricultural industries, the INAGRO Scientific and Technologic Park of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova will benefit this year from professional American expert assistance on the matter, between November 8 and November 20. The expertise will be focused on ensuring an effective energy use in greenhouses. The assistance will be voluntarily provided by Mr. Mike Brugger, an expert in greenhouse design and management, with the support of the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (FtF), implemented in our country by the USAID-funded organization CNFA.

Mike Brugger will focus mostly on providing the INAGRO representatives with basic information on matters of best greenhouse heating practices, and adequate greenhouse equipment types. He will also develop an operational manual for establishing a cost-effective and energy-saving fully-functional greenhouse.

The consultancy will be provided given INAGRO has recently launched the establishment of a new greenhouse, with a total surface of 2000 square meters. Its purpose is to provide the agribusinessmen with a model of effective and profitable greenhouse production, based on adequate use of agricultural technologies, as well as on achieving optimum productivity in added value agriculture, testing of new work methods and implementation of sustainable agricultural practices.

The major issues to be addressed by professional expert assistance are the installation of the irrigation and heating systems, as well as the optimum practices of greenhouse covering. The FTF volunteer will also identify various development scenarios for the INAGRO representatives, and will develop several recommendations for performing minimum resource-requiring operations, which could ensure a major impact on effective greenhouse management.

During his stay Moldova, Mike Brugger will work together with the representatives of both INAGRO and the Agency for Innovation and Technology Transfer of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, as well as with the INAGRO Scientific and Technologic Park residents.
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 FTF assistance is focused on the production and processing of fruit, vegetables, and dairy. 

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)