MOLDPRES REPORT // Year of Brave Farmers: A day for those who make country grow, people of the land, people of courage

In the heart of the underground labyrinth of Cricova, where the silence of stone meets the aroma of mature wine, one of the country's most powerful communities, the farmers of the Republic of Moldova, was celebrated today. This year, declared The Year of the Brave Farmers, the event became more than a ceremony: it was a sincere tribute to those who, day by day, lift Moldova with their own hands.

The atmosphere vibrated with emotion from the first speeches. Each story, each look, each award given seemed to reconstruct the history of a country that has learned to grow, to sow, to endure, to hope and to revive.

'It's a gesture of respect. We see you. We know how much you bear'

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga – herself from the guild of farmers, with years of work in the livestock sector – spoke simply and directly, as people who know what land and patience mean.

‘’Through this event, we just want to highlight a small part of your work. It’s a gesture of respect, a sign that we see the effort, sacrifice, patience and resilience of each of you. Moldovan agriculture demands a lot – strength, tenacity, courage, dedication, sacrifice, families and nerves. You prove every day that this combination of words gives you the power to do what you do for our country. Looking towards the future, we wish for more irrigation, more processing in villages, correct policies, support for young people, for women, for small and large farms, stable markets and less bureaucracy. But all of these only make sense, if we stay united,’’ the minister said.

United - this was the keyword of the entire event.

'European integration means standards, funds and respect for your work'

Present at the event, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu emphasized that agriculture remained a strategic pillar in the country's European path.

‘’For the agricultural sector, European integration means benefits, funds and raising standards,’’ the prime minister said, noting that in recent years, about 8 billion lei had been allocated for the development of agriculture, and the National Fund for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Environment increased by 70 per cent from 2021 to 2025.

Over 8,000 farmers have received support - among them, almost one third are young people and women, and more than half come from micro farms.

‘’In a small country, these numbers are large. But the change in mentality is even greater: moving to modern technologies, processing, diversified exports and European standards in all fields – livestock, vegetation, phytosanitary, food safety,’’ highlighted the prime minister.

Without infrastructure, there is no agriculture. Without agriculture, infrastructure makes no sense

A strong message also came from Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, now Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, but with experience in leading the Ministry of Agriculture.

‘’One must come to infrastructure after agriculture, in order to truly understand what a village means. Without infrastructure, there is no competitive agriculture, and without agriculture, infrastructure makes no sense. I have stood by the farmers, with the same gratitude I have carried for years for people who feel the land, give it meaning, and remain your firm ally,’’ the deputy prime minister said.

Irrigation - the oxygen of modern agriculture

One of the most powerful commitments this year comes from the irrigation area. After years marked by drought, frost and unpredictable climate changes, the state has set in motion the most extensive irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation projects in the past 20 years.

Rebuilt pumping stations, modernized channels, drip systems, automation, and digital monitoring - all these changes help farmers no longer be at the mercy of the weather and be able to plan, produce, export.

‘’'Irrigation is no longer a luxury. It is the foundation of resilient agriculture,’’ said Ludmila Catlabuga in this regard.

Women in agriculture - a force changing villages

This year, reflections on Moldovan agriculture include a profound recognition: women represent an increasingly strong pillar in rural development.

More and more women benefit from grants, run farms, process products, create small businesses, reinvent traditions and become community leaders.

An example of this is Oxana Benzing, founder of “Casa din Luncă” - a rural pension that has become a symbol of Moldovan hospitality and authenticity.

Her story began in 2001, with the desire to promote traditions and rural life. Today, visitors return not just for the food and tranquility, but also for the feeling that they are part of a family.

Oxana is one of the dozens of women awarded and one of the thousands who build, step by step, a better agriculture and a stronger village.

‘’We want to provide an authentic living experience in a typical Moldovan house, and for this, we have created a unique atmosphere, preserving elements of traditional culture in every aspect of our pension. We enjoy every guest who steps over our threshold; from big to small, they all become part of our family,’’ the entrepreneur, awarded in the female leader category, told MOLDPRES.

140 farmers awarded - 140 stories of courage

During the Farmer's Day, 140 professionals were awarded in 10 categories: economic performance, taxpayer of the year, young entrepreneur, female leader, mechanizer of the year, regional excellence, innovations, courage and perseverance, agricultural journalism excellence and others.

Each awardee is a story. Each prize is a 'thank you'. And each thank you is recognition that agriculture is not just a profession. It is a destiny.

A historic year for Moldovan agriculture

2025, The Year of the Brave Farmers, is the year Moldova massively invested in technology, digitization, irrigation, processing and infrastructure.

Grants, training, European projects, modernization of payment systems, rehabilitation of plantations, support for young people and women, development of small and large farms - all these efforts shape the direction of a modern, competitive, and resilient agriculture.

At the end of the evening, at Cricova…

Among the oak barrels and precisely aligned bottles, farmers met as friends. They exchanged plans, advice, emotions. Some came after a good year. Others, after a tough one. But all came with pride.

Because, regardless of weather, crises, prices or policies, they are the first to wake up and the last to sleep. They carry Moldova forward.

Today, they were thanked, with gratitude: 'Thank you. Without you, nothing grows'.

Photo: Andrei Mardari