Two cooperatives, contributing to the development of local producers, were created in Hincesti and Floresti districts

This initiative is part of Local Employment Partnerships (LEP), implemented by the ILO in these districts, aimed to create new jobs, encourage the transition to formality, stimulate local economic growth, and improve the overall well-being of the population.

Both cooperatives „Legume Select” from Prajila village, Floresti district and ”Valori&Perspective” from Bozieni village, Hincesti district gathered together five agricultural producers, each, intending to extend the number of their members in the upcoming  months.  The association of producers is meant to significantly contribute to improving the quality of agricultural products, reducing the production costs and improving market access both nationally and internationally. Through association, the producers can manage their resources more efficiently and gain better negotiation skills in relations with their trading partners and customers. 

According to Victoria Cazacu, director of "Legume Select" cooperative, the assistance provided by the ILO will significantly contribute and facilitate the cooperation between the agricultural producers of Floresti district, uniting their efforts to deliver products with high value-added and compliant with highest quality standards, at a competitive price. 

"The equipment, which will be used jointly by all members of the cooperative, will allow us to optimize the production processes and reduce the costs and will give us the opportunity to raise the competitiveness of the cooperative's products on the market and allow for a greater access to large national retail chains, mentions Victoria Cazacu.

With ILO support, through the National Employers' Confederation of the Republic of Moldova (CNPM), the cooperatives will be equipped with modern equipment for processing agricultural products, amounting to 1 million 169 thousand 369 lei. The line for vegetable processing, which will be installed by Floresti cooperative, will allow its members to deliver clean, sorted and packaged agricultural products meeting high-quality standards. In parallel, the "Valori&Perspective" cooperative from the Hincesti district will benefit from specialized equipment for drying plums, a popular product on the local and international markets.

„This support is crucial for the five members of our cooperative, not only for the development of a sustainable business at home, but also for the contribution we would like to make in the economic development of Hincesti district. The procured equipment also enables us to offer plums drying services to other local producers, thus supporting them to use their harvest to the maximum and ensure well-being to their families. We intend to create permanent jobs, actively participate in the growth of local economy and thus contribute to the local budget through regular payments. This initiative is an important step for the entire community", said Liudmila Vartic, president of "Valori&Perspective" cooperative. 

The creation of cooperatives and development of small agricultural producers’ skills in rural areas is one of the seven intervention actions of the Local Employment Partnerships (LEPs) in Hîncești and Florești districts. The LEPs provide for a complex package of measures destined to small agricultural producers, ranging from skills development to ensuring the necessary infrastructure for the collection, storage and processing of agricultural products. The support offered by the ILO is related to the association of producers, formalization of economic activities and promotion of sustainable and well-paid jobs.

Floresti and Hincesti LEPs are implemented by the ILO during the present year with the financial assistance of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) within the framework of the project "Inclusive and productive employment in Moldova"

 For more details, please, contact Violeta Vrabie, ILO project coordinator. Phone.: + (373) 78 11 33 90; e-mail: vrabie@ilo.org