UNIAGROPROTECT MEMBERS SOLD AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS WORTH TWO BILLION LEI IN 2004

Members of the Uniagroprotect Republican Union of Associations of Agricultural Producers sold agricultural products worth two billion lei (160 million dollars) in 2004, by 700 million lei more than in 2003, according to data unveiled at the annual meeting of union on Friday, April 8.

Uniagroprotect chairman Valeriu Bulgari said that farmers contracted credits and benefited from unreimbursable financing in the amount of 120 million lei last year, compared with 84 million lei in 2003. Also, the 17 agricultural enterprises affiliated to associations sold products worth 42.2 million lei and invested 640 million lei.

"Uniagroprotect considers that the agricultural year 2004 was successful," Bulgari underlined. On the other hand, he stressed that managers of associations "failed to attract enough investments" for development of this sector.

The Uniagroprotect administration regards 2005 as a "crucial" year for organisation after the Private Farmers Assistance Programme (PFAP) will close its activity next December. Uniagroprotect intends to continue this year the creation of new enterprises for acquisition and processing of agricultural production and to work on extension of sale markets.

Taking part in the 4th annual forum of Uniagroprotect were more than 150 agricultural producers. The Uniagroprotect members examined the outcome of activity of union in 2004 and established the development priorities for agricultural season 2005.

Uniagroprotect was founded in 2001 as a nongovernmental and non-profit nongovernmental organisation to assist private agricultural producers. At present, the union includes 15 associations of agricultural producers, who brings together 2,240 members and administrate 50 percent of agricultural fields in Moldova. Infotag