In the pursuit of a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector, a seminar titled "Conservation Agriculture - A Farmer-Accepted System for Climate Change Adaptation" took place on February 8th in Glodeni. The event aimed to raise awareness among farmers about the urgent need to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Discussions centered around key strategies such as erosion control, reducing production costs, enhancing water infiltration into the soil, and the numerous other benefits associated with implementing conservation agriculture practices.
Present as a speaker at the event, Mihail Rurac, a doctor in agriculture and specialist in Conservation Agriculture, addressed the farmers regarding the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector and the necessity of adapting agriculture. He also highlighted the efforts made by farmers in the Republic of Moldova in the face of climate change. "Conservation Agriculture is not only economically profitable, but it also protects the soil from erosion and enhances its properties. Maintaining the soil covered with green plants or plant residues serves as a natural armor that safeguards our soils. Given the increasing frequency of both droughts and heavy rainfall events, we must strive to capture and store every drop of water in the soil to achieve stable yields," emphasized Mihail Rurac.
During the seminar, participants identified several significant obstacles hindering the widespread adoption of conservation agriculture. These include the lack of long-term lease contracts, limited availability of arable land, and a lack of local expertise. However, collaborative efforts among farmers have proven productive in addressing these issues.
Farmers also expressed interest in the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Ecaterina Fiodoraș, the president of an agricultural production cooperative, presented the positive results she achieved in the 2022 agricultural year by testing the no-till system in sunflower cultivation.
The event also discussed the recently established Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices Community under the project "Integrating Adaptation into Planning Processes to Reduce Vulnerability to Climate Change at the Central and Local Levels in the Agricultural Sector of the Republic of Moldova," funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by FAO.
Community moderator Mihail Rurac showcased the success of Moldovan farmers in implementing Conservation Agriculture practices, outlined community activities, shared resources, and presented plans. Farmers were encouraged to join the community to learn from each other through study visits to farms practicing Conservation Agriculture, as well as through seminars and online activities. The community's website, digital library, Facebook page, and Viber community were also introduced.
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