FAO expands field training for Moldova's table grape growers - EUROPE SAYS
For generations, table grapes have been one of the Republic of Moldova’s most important agricultural products. The country produces more than 130,000 tons annually, exporting around 60 per cent of its harvest. . .
For generations, table grapes have been one of the Republic of Moldova’s most important agricultural products. The country produces more than 130,000 tons annually, exporting around 60 per cent of its harvest to markets across Europe and beyond. In recent years, however, growers have faced rising input costs, disrupted export routes, and stricter EU market requirements. To help producers adapt, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Republic of Moldova’s National Association for Rural Development (ACSA) developed a field-based learning system during the second half of 2025. The initiative forms part of FAO’s project “Promoting the Long-Term, Sustainable, Green Development and Resilience of the Table Grape Value Chain,” under the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. © FAOThree Farmer Field Schools were established in the villages of Burlacu, Vadul lui Isac, and Costești, each based in a commercial vineyard. Rather than relying on classroom training, the program brings growers into the vineyard to assess fruit maturity, practise harvest and post-harvest handling, and identify production practices that could affect compliance with EU pesticide residue standards. During the 2025 harvest season, 75 producers, including ten women, completed the first module of the curriculum. A national Field Day in Burlacu attracted more than 150 farmers, agronomists, exporters, and government representatives. The Republic of Moldova’s grape sector is undergoing change as the war in Ukraine continues to disrupt trade while producers work to meet EU requirements for pesticide residues and product quality. For many small and medium-sized growers, adapting to these standards is necessary to maintain access to European markets. The training program is divided into three modules. The first module focused on harvest quality and post-harvest handling. The second and third modules, ready for delivery in early 2026, cover winter pruning and integrated crop management, including pesticide use and fertilisation planning. The project is designed to continue beyond its initial implementation. Farmers hosting the demonstration vineyards have committed to continuing the learning program through 2026 without external funding or coordination. The program provides a model for delivering practical training in commercial vineyards while linking production practices to changing market requirements in a country where agriculture remains an important part of the economy and rural livelihoods.