The livestock industry in Moldova is set for significant growth, with over $11 million in investments in dairy farms aimed at modernizing farms and improving animal welfare, also thanks to technical support from a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Project financed by the European Union (EU) under its EU4Business Initiative. This funding will help Moldova’s farmers meet European Union standards, enhance their competitiveness, and boost sustainability in the agriculture sector.
Between October and November 2024, more than 50 cattle farm owners and aspiring dairy entrepreneurs — including students — participated in specialized training on EU environmental regulations and animal welfare standards.
Additionally, over 20 farms received expert assessments from the EU-UNIDO Project "Improving Standards Compliance through Increased National Capacities for Residue Monitoring", identifying opportunities for improvement and investment. By the end of the year, six agricultural enterprises across Moldova — spanning Ialoveni, Floresti, UTA Gagauzia, Falesti, and Glodeni districts — had signed grant contracts under the World Bank-funded AGGRI Project. With a combined value of $11 million, these investment projects included $5 million in non-reimbursable funding, a significant boost for Moldovan businesses looking to modernize and grow, timely leveraged by the EU-UNIDO Project through accurate assessments and capacity building of potential beneficiaries.
The training sessions proved especially impactful, as they were delivered directly on working farms, offering hands-on learning and fostering collaboration between experienced farm managers and newcomers. Five businesses received one-to-one coaching in dairy farming, with experts from the Project providing tailored advice on a range of topics, including manure management, animal welfare, biosecurity, and milking hygiene. Special emphasis was placed on the integration of new technologies and the rules for the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products in milk production.
With these financial resources now in hand, farmers are poised to make focused, responsible investments in their operations. “The quality of the product starts with the health of the animals, ”says Marian Bîtiu, owner of a cattle farm in northern Moldova and one of the project’s beneficiaries. ”At Gifis Farm, we currently raise 180 catle. All resources provided through the AGGRI grant will be reinvested into improving the farm's infrastructure and ensuring optimal conditions for animal welfare. These upgrades include the installation of a state-of-the-art ventilation system and a modern manure management system, featuring new pumps and a scraper. Additionally, we have invested in high-quality animal resting mats and non-slip rubber mats, which have been installed in the walking alleys to minimize the risk of injury and significantly enhance the comfort and safety of the animals”, Marian Bitiu stated.
Beyond these measures, the investment will also streamline farm operations. New automated systems — including a robotic calf feeder, a robotic feed mixer, and a robotic milking system — will help optimize productivity while ensuring higher standards of animal care. Bîtiu is particularly excited about the high-performance software that integrates with the milking robot: „It is a unique technology in our country; the integration of a high-performance software system that will monitor herd health in real-time, will facilitate disease prevention and improve overall animal well-being”, explains Marian Bitiu.
These improvements at the small farm in Navirnet village, Falesti district, will lower production and processing costs using EU-sourced, energy-efficient machinery. Additionally, in a move that underscores Bîtiu’s commitment to sustainability, a photovoltaic system will be installed at Gifis Farm, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
“Supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova — helping them align with European quality standards — requires more than just building capacity. It’s also about connecting them with the resources they need to thrive. And we are thrilled to have not only provided tailored training and guidance, but also assisted the authorities in identifying livestock units poised to advance to the next stage of development, with a conscious investment in both animal welfare and environmental health”, explains Dona Școla, National Coordinator of the EU-UNIDO Project "Improving the Standards Compliance through Increased National Capacities for Residue Monitoring“.
The livestock sector grant program, part of the Agriculture Governance, Growth and Resilience Investment Project (AGGRI), financed by the World Bank and implemented by the Agency for Agriculture Intervention and Payments (AIPA), is specifically designed to support farm modernization, with a focus on improving animal welfare and environmental protection. Through this initiative, UNIDO has played a crucial role in assisting small and medium-sized livestock farmers to meet EU standards, ensuring they are well-positioned to benefit from the grants available under the AGGRI Project, which is aimed at promoting governance, growth, and resilience in Moldova’s agricultural sector.
