Chisinau, February 15 (Infotag). The AGROinform national federation (uniting 29 non-governmental organizations rendering informational and consultancy assistance to private farmers) has launched a new program for the farm sector.

Federation’s Executive Director Aurelia Bondari told a news conference in Infotag today the Program is to be implemented here within 3 years with the assistance of the Swedish Cooperative Center non-governmental organization and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

The first will be devoted to the Project’s pilot phase. During it, 14 working groups uniting 140 farm producers will be operating in 8 Moldovan raions. These have already been selected in the localities through contests organized by Federation’s regional centers. The working groups will be exchanging experience in rural entrepreneurship.

In the framework of the $300 thousand Project, a total of 35 such working groups will be created, of which 5 will consist only of rural businesswomen.

Swedish Cooperative Center’s Regional Director Mr. Bjorn Johnson said the said this is going to be the Center’s first work experience in Moldova. Heretofore, it has worked only in Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Belarus. Although this republic is the poorest country in Europe, its agricultural potential is quite high, which inspires hope in success, he said.

Bjorn Johnson said the Center is 90% funded by the Swedish Government, and this money is used by the Center to finance projects in Moldova.