Moldovan farmers receive concrete solutions to tackle drought through FAO project funded by Japan

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) presented the results of the project “Emergency assistance to mitigate the impact of extreme drought through the promotion of sorghum and distribution of animal feed in Moldova”, during a closing workshop held in Chișinău, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry.

The USD 560 000 project, funded by the Government of Japan, was launched in April 2025 in response to a request from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry to address the effects of recurrent droughts and the socio-economic impact of the war in Ukraine on the agricultural sector. Some 1 800 smallholder farmers in the crop and livestock sectors were supported along three main pillars: promoting sorghum as a viable alternative and a key solution for ensuring balanced crop rotation, distributing animal feed to sustain livestock production, and training farmers in climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Over the course of implementation, 6 tonnes of sorghum seeds were distributed to 253 farmers across 21 districts, while 10 Farmer Field Schools, 15 demonstration plots and 30 Field Days with hands-on training reached over 200 farmers. At the same time, animal feed is currently being distributed to 1 340 farmers in the livestock sector in the districts of Anenii Noi, Ștefan Vodă and Cahul.

Results from demonstration plots confirmed the potential of sorghum: while traditional crops such as maize suffered massive yield losses, sorghum demonstrated superior resilience. Collected data indicate a national average sorghum yield of 4.5 tonnes/ha. In the Southern regions, although productivity was lower at approximately 2.5 tonnes/ha, it exceeded maize yields by over 50 percent under the same severe drought conditions. The use of animal feed distributed to livestock farmers is expected to improve productivity indicators – including increased milk production and higher fat content – generating tangible benefits for vulnerable rural households.

Last week, two regional training workshops – in Cahul and Bălți – brought together farmers and experts to strengthen knowledge on climate-resilient agriculture, while the closing workshop gathered some 40 participants – representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, the National Food Safety Agency, the Embassy of Japan, local public authorities, civil society organizations, research institutions, as well as beneficiary farmers who shared their first-hand experience with sorghum cultivation.

“FAO has always stood by us, including through crisis funding. Together with other development partners, programmes targeting agricultural producers have been developed, with financial resources allocated to identify mechanisms that respond to the objectives of the Ministry of Agriculture. Sorghum has proven to be a promising crop that can ensure stable yields and reliable income even under severe drought conditions, and the Ministry will continue to support the promotion of such alternatives adapted to the climatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova,” said Vasile Șarban, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova.

“For many years, Japan has supported Moldovan farmers to strengthen food security and help them cope with climate challenges. In the past three years, we have worked closely with FAO to provide urgent assistance to farmers and rural households. I firmly believe that Moldova’s agricultural sector is one of the country’s strongest economic forces as it integrates with the European Union. Japan stands with Moldova and is confident that its farmers will remain resilient, resourceful, and proactive in their work” said H.E. Kazuyuki Takeuchi, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova.

“The results of this project confirm that solutions exist and they work. Together with our partners, we have demonstrated that through drought-resistant crops, hands-on training and targeted support, Moldovan farmers can cope with climate challenges. This experience must be scaled up and consolidated – and FAO remains a dedicated partner of the Republic of Moldova in this effort,” added Tudor Robu, FAO Deputy Representative in the Republic of Moldova.

The project continued the successful collaboration between FAO and the Government of Japan, which had previously supported over 3 600 vulnerable households through an initiative during 2023–2024. As climate challenges intensify, FAO and its partners reaffirm their commitment to supporting farmers in the Republic of Moldova by providing sustainable solutions that protect food production, safeguard rural livelihoods and promote a more resilient agricultural sector for future generations.