Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 12–16 December 2022, a delegation from Uzbekistan visited the Republic of Moldova to share best practices and knowledge in the development, coordination and implementation of state policy in the field of agriculture. 

The working group included representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Center for Strategic Development and Research in Food and Agriculture (ISCAD).

Within the framework of the visit, meetings were held at the official level with representatives of the public sector responsible for the implementation of agricultural policy, as well as with the leadership of the Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters "Moldova Fruct".

During the meeting with the Deputy Secretary General of the Government of Moldova, Svetlana Turcan, the priorities of the government, the integration of agricultural policy and rural development policy in the framework of national strategic planning were studied. 

The members of the working group also got acquainted with the activities of the Secretariat of the Economic Council under the Prime Minister, created to develop a dialogue between representatives of business circles, the donor community and the state. Representatives of the Ministry of Economy, within the framework of their presentation, shared their experience on the stages of accession and membership in the World Trade Organization, in which Moldova has 21 years of experience.

On the second day of the visit, a meeting was held with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry of Moldova, Vladimir Bolea, during which they discussed the role of the ministry in developing state policy in the field of agriculture, sectoral strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, and interaction with donor organizations.

A working group from Uzbekistan visited AIPA (Agency for Interventions and Payments in Agriculture) and got acquainted with AIPA’s experience in managing financial resources to support agricultural producers, subsidy programs, monitoring the distribution of funds, and qualitatively assessing the impact of government support measures for farmers.

There was also a visit to the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA). ANSA is the key institution for the implementation of food safety standards in Moldova. Under the leadership of ANSA, there is a territorial representation of the Agency in each commune, which makes it possible to quickly carry out activities to ensure food safety.

In addition, during the visit, a delegation from Uzbekistan visited and got acquainted with the activities of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS); the Consolidated Agricultural Projects’ Management Unit (CAPMU); Agricultural Development and Modernization Agency (ADMA); Association of Fruit Producers and Exporters "Moldova Fruct"; National Bureau of Vine and Wine (ONVV).

As a result, during the visit, about 15 business meetings were held, which were of an introductory nature.

The program of the visit allowed the specialists to comprehensively familiarize themselves with the best practices of the Republic of Moldova in the development, coordination and implementation of state policy, strategic planning, agricultural subsidies, and food safety.