Quarterly Report: High Value Agriculture Activity

The project focuses on four main objectives: expanding and strengthening linkages to domestic, regional, and international markets; improving productivity, post-harvest handling, and private sector capacity to comply with EU and international standards; strengthening capacities of member-based groups; and improving the enabling environment leading to increased investments and an improved workforce. During the second quarter of Year 5 (January to March 2021), the project and its partners organized 51 events adapted to the operational context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 1,230 participants attending. HVAA continued to support industry associations and agri-businesses to develop and implement their export marketing strategies. For example, the project supported the Moldova Fruct Association (MFA) to revise and update their Strategic Export Marketing Plan (SEMP) for the fruit sector. HVAA also organized a virtual Business to Business (B2B) meeting between Moldovan apple suppliers and 15 fresh fruit buyers from Belgium, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. The potential buyers had a chance to conduct virtual tours of orchards and post-harvest facilities for select Moldovan producers. In the honey sector, HVAA's comprehensive support to a Moldovan honey exporter is paying dividends, with initial small and test sales of high-quality honey in retail packaging occurring in Romania this year. In the wine sector, a Moldovan wine company leveraged its well-established market presence in Poland to carry out a large online and retail campaign promoting Moldovan wine, alongside fruit, honey, and the country's emerging tourism sector. HVAA launched an Export Academy program – a year-long marketing-focused training and mentorship initiative for small to medium agribusinesses – in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Republic of Moldova (CCI) and the Institute for Economic Promotion of the Austrian Economic Chambers. HVAA continued to assist Moldovan businesses in improving product quality requirements to sell to more lucrative markets. Two fruit producers from the Transnistria region received Global Good Agricultural Practice (GLOBALG.A.P.) certification, which provides food safety and environmental assurance to buyers in more demanding markets. Two certification bodies organized GLOBALG.A.P. awareness trainings, and HVAA-mentored advisors continued to provide follow-up assistance on a commercial basis to growers already certified. To support the fruit sector in complying with EU pesticide residue requirements and expanding sales to that market, HVAA designed a clear and concise ten-step checklist for growers to manage their pesticide residues. HVAA continued to work through industry associations to maintain and improve agricultural productivity and introduce good agricultural and environmental practices. For example, in Transnistria, HVAA supported Dniestr Fruit Association to organize an online training session on intensive stone fruit production (with an emphasis on apricots) led by an experienced agronomist from Spain with vast experience in the Eastern European region. HVAA also partnered with the UniAgroProtect Association (UAP) and National Beekeepers Association of the Republic of Moldova (NBARM) to launch a national awareness campaign called #Oamenipentrualbine (#PeopleforBees in English) to highlight the importance of cooperation between beekeepers and growers to reduce bee poisoning caused by insecticide use. Moreover, to streamline communication between beekeepers and growers, HVAA, the Moldovan Association of ICT Companies (ATIC)/Tekwill, and NBARM are currently testing a digital solution called BeeProtect that will warn beekeepers when insecticide sprayings occur near their apiaries. HVAA assisted Agro Oguz Association to develop a feasibility study and concept for public-private collaboration, as well as the required documents to apply for a public-private investment to build a 1,000 metric ton packing house for fresh fruit and table grapes in the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia. During this period, the annual conference of Water Users Associations (WUAs) was organized by HVAA in partnership with Sustainable Development Account (SDA). The event promoted best irrigation practices and reiterated the importance of high value agriculture in generating higher returns for both producers and WUAs. The first meeting of the HVAA-brokered Advocacy Committee, established by the key sector associations, was held on February 25. The Committee will act as an informal communication and advocacy platform for high-value agriculture (HVA) industry associations to work together to improve policy and the sector's enabling environment. HVAA drafted an Advocacy Guide that will be used by associations to improve their capacities to serve, represent, and advocate for members; an accompanying training is planned in the coming period. HVAA continues to implement transformative interventions that will encourage greater participation of youth in agriculture. In partnership with ATIC/Tekwill, the Moldovan media platform www.agrobiznes.md organized a series of articles and interviews highlighting the importance of youth involvement in agriculture and the opportunities available for young people to engage in the sector.