Moldova Republic Hydro Tender

A modern hydro-improvement laboratory supported by the USAID Agriculture Performance Project in Moldova was inaugurated at the State Agricultural University of Moldova UASM. After more than 20 years about 150 students masters and doctoral students will study and carry out research on irrigated agriculture hydrology environmental engineering pumping station automation etc.The modernized laboratory has specific equipment worth about 2.5 million lei such as pipe welding equipment IT equipment with specialized software for irrigation systems design water and soil quality testing automation and control of irrigation processes etc. The modern laboratory base as well as the innovative didactic resources developed will be used to initiate research projects in the field as well as to conduct short-term training courses for farmers related to irrigated agriculture or training for specialists already active in the sector.The new infrastructure allows the State Agrarian University to train highly qualified specialists for real activities in the private sector increasing their chances of being hired. Scott Hocklander head of USAID mission in Moldova mentioned during the opening event that the new laboratory will allow the filling of the void of highly qualified specialists in irrigated agriculture which will ensure the efficient management of irrigation infrastructure and water resources. At the same time the head of the USAID mission emphasized that the trained specialists and the skilled workforce are an important factor in the transition to the performing agriculture supported by USAID.Mihai Machedon secretary of state of the Ministry of Agriculture Regional Development and Environment said that irrigation specialists are increasingly in demand because irrigation becomes indispensable for agriculture in Moldova affected by climate change. In this context the MADRM secretary encouraged young people to study this specialty which offers multiple employment prospects. At the same time UASM Rector Liviu Volconovici appreciated USAIDs support in providing the institution and developing study programs according to the needs of the private sector.According to official data there are currently 78 irrigation systems in the Republic of Moldova built during the Soviet period. Of these only 10 irrigation systems were rehabilitated during 2010-2015 with US Government funds under the Compact Program. The other 68 irrigation systems are partially functional or non-functional. The 78 irrigation systems provided in 2019 the irrigation of 10 percent of agricultural land in the Republic of Moldova.UASM is the only university higher education institution in the Republic of Moldova where it studies about 4000 students. Although the number of students has been declining in recent years high-performance equipment and innovative teaching resources contribute to improving the quality of the studies offered and will attract new young people to study the agricultural fields. The endowment of the hydro-ameliorations laboratory by the USAID APM project is part of the strategy of modernization of the high value agricultural sector in Moldova.