Recent evolutions in the development of the agricultural sector of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the national economy of the Republic of Moldova. The status of the agricultural sector has changed dramatically during the post independence period due to a wide range of factors of which the most important are disruptions of production and distribution networks. Agriculture is the sector most exposed and vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change that influence primarily on large fluctuations of the agricultural production. The aim of the article is to analyze the recent evolutions in the development of the agricultural sector of the Republic of Moldova and formulate necessary recommendations in order to overcome existing problems of this sector. The most important part of the agricultural production is still produced by households and agricultural enterprises. Subsidies’ developments along with volume of investments are the most important indicators characterizing the state policy in the field of agriculture. During the period 2006-2015 the volume of investments and subsidies in agriculture evolved non-uniformly, with pronounced annual growths and decreases. The subsidy measures should avoid large annual fluctuations and be more focused both on agricultural products with high export potential and on those that are not covered completely by local production.