When Weather Determines the Harvest: How We Help Farmers in Moldova Adapt to Climate Change
Droughts, heatwaves, torrential rains, and late spring frosts are becoming an increasingly common part of life in Moldova. A country where agriculture is the main source of livelihood for many families, Moldova is among the most vulnerable in Europe to the impacts of the climate crisis. Together with our partners, we are helping berry farmers adopt new practices and technologies that reduce crop losses, optimize water use, and strengthen the resilience of farms to the effects of a changing climate.
When crops suffer as a result of extreme weather events, the consequences go far beyond lower profits. For many farmers, it can threaten their very livelihood. Agriculture plays a far more significant role in Moldova than in most European Union countries. According to the World Bank, around 55% of the population depends on agriculture, either as their main source of income or as a means of subsistence. By comparison, only 2.54% of Slovakia’s population is employed in agriculture.
The situation is further compounded by the fact that a large share of Moldova’s agricultural sector still relies on natural rainfall. Unlike in many EU countries, access to modern irrigation systems, advanced technologies, and financial resources that could help farmers cope with the impacts of a changing climate remains limited.
“Small-scale farmers in Moldova do not have access to the same tools for adapting to the climate crisis and extreme weather events as those available to farmers in European Union countries. A single failed season can have truly devastating consequences for them and put their livelihoods at risk,” explains Andrea Bednáriková, Project Manager for Eastern Europe at People in Peril.
We Started by Listening to Farmers
In the initial phase of the project, our colleagues from People in Need Moldova visited selected farms to better understand the farmers’ needs. We wanted to learn more about the challenges they face and the solutions they are already using.
The findings confirmed that climate change is having a significant impact on agricultural production. Four out of five farmers reported crop losses in recent years caused by extreme rainfall, frost, or pests. The same proportion identified the cost of water as one of the biggest challenges they face on a daily basis. The assessment also showed that most growers actively monitor weather conditions and try to adapt to changing circumstances. However, they often lack access to accurate local weather data and modern technologies that could help them respond more effectively.
Encouragingly, all of the farmers interviewed expressed a willingness to test new solutions and farming practices, provided they could see the results for themselves.
Bringing New Practices to the Field
At the end of 2025, we launched a project aimed at supporting berry growers in Moldova, co-funded by the Official Development Assistance of the Slovak Republic. The project is being implemented in partnership with People in Need Moldova, Pro-Europa, and the Slovak company ekolive, which brings expertise in the field of environmentally friendly biostimulants.
“The core idea of the project is to demonstrate solutions directly in farmers’ fields – not just through presentations or training sessions, but in the real-life conditions they encounter in their day-to-day work. We want farmers to see for themselves the benefits that these measures can bring in practice,” explains Andrea Bednáriková.
On participating farms, we are introducing environmentally friendly and climate-smart solutions that help reduce water consumption, improve soil quality, and protect crops from the impacts of extreme weather.
The main measures include:
- Introducing drip irrigation systems, which enable more efficient water management. Water is delivered directly to the roots of plants, minimizing losses and reducing overall water consumption.
- Installing weather stations that provide farmers with accurate, location-specific weather data. This allows them to make informed decisions based on real-time information.
- Testing biofertilizers and biostimulants as a sustainable alternative to nitrogen-based agrochemical fertilizers. These products support plant health, improve soil quality, and help prevent soil degradation and depletion.
- Introducing environmentally friendly pest management methods, including measures to control pests such as the hairy rose beetle (Tropinota hirta).
From Training to Practical Application
The first training sessions for farmers took place in April 2026. The various measures were then introduced directly on partner farms. The effectiveness of these interventions is currently being monitored and evaluated. Working closely with farmers, experts are tracking a range of indicators to assess the extent to which the new practices contribute to improved crop quality, healthier soils, and more efficient water management.
Among the indicators being monitored are:
- Fruit sugar content (°Brix)
- Chlorophyll content in plants
- Soil quality and fertility
- Soil moisture levels
- Water consumption
The impacts of applying biofertilizers are being evaluated through soil analysis. The data collected are then compared with control samples from plots where the new methods have not been applied. This approach allows for a more accurate assessment of how the different interventions affect plant health, crop quality, and the soil’s ability to retain water.
Our objectives are clear. The first is to increase plants’ resilience to the impacts of the climate crisis. The second is to achieve higher yields and better-quality production while reducing dependence on chemical inputs. More sustainable agricultural practices benefit not only the environment but also farmers themselves, enabling them to farm more efficiently and sustainably.
The initial feedback from farmers has been very positive. Many particularly appreciate the opportunity to observe the results directly in their own fields and compare them with their existing practices.
“If we can successfully transition to a bio-based system, everyone stands to benefit. There will be fewer pesticides and fewer harmful substances in the food we consume,” says Moldovan farmer Vasile.
Sharing Their Experience with Others
Education is a key component of the entire process. In addition to working with partner farms, we are organizing training sessions for around one hundred other growers from northern and central Moldova.
Farmers will also share their experiences with one another. Those who test the new methods in practice will pass on their knowledge to other growers in their regions, helping successful solutions spread beyond the farms directly involved in the project.
We are also working with two vocational schools in Nisporeni and Svetlîi to support the next generation of agricultural professionals. Demonstration farms are being established on school grounds, where they will serve both as practical learning sites for students and as training hubs for local farmers.
The project will run until the end of 2026. Our goal, however, is not only to deliver results on a handful of farms. We aim to demonstrate that even in the face of a changing climate, it is possible to grow high-quality crops more sustainably while strengthening the resilience of rural communities.
