Fighting drought, an emergency

The Romanian government is preparing a strategy to combat the effects of drought.

Leyla Cheamil, 18.07.2022, 14:00

Several counties across Romania are struggling with the effects of drought, with crops on extended areas being damaged by the lack of precipitation. In the west of the country, in the Nădlac border area, for example, more than 40% of the 13,000 hectares of land owned by farmers are cultivated with corn, but large sections of these crops are damaged, and investments are at threat. According to farmers, this is the worst drought in more than 30 years, with the growth of corn and wheat stunted by the lack of water. Farmers are complaining that the irrigation systems built in the communist period have fallen into disrepair in the post-communist era and have become unusable. The areas in the south and south-east of the country are also struggling with the drought. Animal breeders are complaining about the lack of fodder.

To combat drought and in the context of the climate change whose effects are becoming increasingly visible in Romania as well, the government is preparing a long-term programme and strategy. Prime minister Nicolae Ciucă said an inter-ministerial committee will begin work this week to analyse the effects and impact on agriculture caused by climate change, such as the continued drought seen recently. The committee includes the ministries of agriculture, the environment, investments and European projects, finance, the economy and entrepreneurship. The aim is to use European money and funds from the state budget to develop the irrigation network and support farmers. Prime minister Nicolae Ciucă:

“On the one hand, wed like to identify the measures that we can take, using both governmental funds, from the state budget, as well as European funds, to develop the irrigation networks, support the farmers affected by the consequences of drought, and, of course, also develop production capacities in the agrifood industry so that we can develop production capacities that ensure enhanced added value.”

The minister for agriculture Petre Daea announced that from 20th July, farmers can access loans with interest rates of only 2% under a new government subsidy scheme. “This mechanism also offers guarantees with respect to the autumn seed planting, creating the crops that will ensure the needed quantities of products next year”, said the minister.

The government has taken these measures at the request of farmers, who are strongly affected by the continued drought and who have repeatedly called for measures to help with seed planting on land affected by drought. (CM)