Project Summary:

Agriculture, the mainstay of the Moldova economy, constitutes 12% of the GDP, employs 30% of the Moldovan population and provides livelihood opportunities for more than half of the people of the country. It is, however, being affected heavily by the worsening trends in frequency and severity of weather hazards (drought in 2020 and 2022, late frosts, heavy rainstorms, and hail in 2023) due to climate change, which without concrete resilience-building measures will continue to undermine the food security of the country and increase the risks of conflicts over use of water and land resources. Therefore, enhancing adaptation of the country’s agri-food system in the face of the intensifying climate and disaster risks is a pre-requisite for eliminating hunger and protecting livelihoods and productive assets for food security. 

The measures proposed by this project will contribute to reduction of the agricultural and economic losses caused by the natural hazards and is a step forward towards achievement of commitments assumed by the country under the Sendai Framework (2015-2030). Ultimately, the country will be more prepared for future food security crisis, contributing to the realization of the local and global food security objectives adopted during the G7 Japan Summit in 2023.

Objectives:

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the agri-food security of the country under the current multidimensional crisis, including the intensifying climate and disaster threats.  

The two specific objectives are: 

• To improve the climate and disaster risk management in the country though upgraded agro-meteorological, hydrological monitoring system and data analytic;
• Establish a solid foundation for implementation of the climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures and budgeting at the local level. 

Expected results:

• At least 4 agrometeorological stations (new automatic whether stations AWS or sensors added to existing AWSs) installed and connected to the national monitoring system;
• At least 4 hydrometeorological stations (new ones or full range of or hydro - meteorological sensors added to the existing stations) installed and connected to the national monitoring system;
• At least 7 decision-making persons with experience and knowledge in climate services and early warning for agri-sector;
• At least 7 district towns benefit from climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction plans;
• At least 20 representatives of LPAs with enhanced knowledge and capacities on accessing finance for climate related activities. 

Accomplishments:

• Strengthened Moldova’s climate and early warning capacities by installing 7 mini weather stations, 14 soil sensors, and 5 hydrological stations, significantly improving local-level monitoring of climate extremes and agri-food risks in the Southern part of Moldova;
• Supported local-level climate resilience planning in 7 towns – Ungheni, Drochia, Sîngerei, Comrat, Hîncești, Leova, and Cantemir – through the development of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction plans;
• Built the capacities of 32 local authority representatives (56% women) from 19 towns to identify shared climate challenges and generate initial project ideas supporting local adaptation efforts;
• Established roadmap for the development of agricultural climate services led by the State Hydrometeorological Service;
• Three bankable project concept notes developed for the towns to translate the resilience planning into investment.