2016年-世界发展银行全球_Structural_Transformation_of_Small_Farms_in_Moldova___Implications_for_Poverty_Reduction_and_Shared_Prosperity_72页_5mb

Moldova Poverty Assessment 2016: Summary

Core Content

The Moldova Poverty Assessment 2016 examines the role of smallholder agriculture in the country's poverty reduction and shared prosperity goals. The report highlights the structural transformation of the agricultural sector and its implications for rural livelihoods and poverty dynamics.

Main Points

• Agricultural Sector's Role: Agriculture is a key sector in Moldova, contributing 14% to GDP and accounting for 30% of employment. It remains central to rural livelihoods and food security.
• Smallholder Dominance: Smallholder farms (less than 3 hectares) make up 95% of all farms and 71% of total agricultural output, indicating their central role in the sector.
• Rural Poverty: Rural poverty remains high, with 18.8% of the population living in poverty in 2013, compared to 4.6% in urban areas. Farmers and agricultural workers account for 40% of the poor.
• Structural Challenges: The agricultural sector is characterized by a dualistic structure, with smallholder farms and large commercial farms coexisting. Smallholder farms are fragmented and often lack access to modern technologies and market opportunities.
• Livelihood Strategies: Most smallholder farms are semi-subsistence, focusing on self-consumption with limited market integration. Non-farm income sources, such as pensions, wage employment, and remittances, play a more significant role in lifting families out of poverty.
• Market Integration Barriers: Small farms face limitations in accessing export markets due to low food safety and quality standards, and they are excluded from public investment opportunities.

Key Findings

• Slow Structural Change: Structural transformation in Moldova's agricultural sector is slow. Small farms are shrinking, and the trend is toward more subsistence farming rather than commercialization.
• Poverty and Volatility: Smallholder families are more vulnerable to poverty due to high income volatility and limited market integration.
• Income Diversification: Non-farm diversification is more effective in poverty reduction than commercialization, with higher education and remittances playing a key role in enabling this transition.
• Policy Implications: The report recommends a multi-faceted approach to support smallholder development, including improving market access, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting non-farm sectors.

Policy Recommendations

1. Support Commercialization: Enable a small segment of commercially oriented smallholder farms to grow and modernize by:

   • Monitoring market entry and exit conditions.
   • Providing temporary direct support.
   • Generating incentives for sustainable and productive practices.
   • Removing land market barriers to consolidation.
   • Addressing access to finance.
   • Implementing food quality and safety programs.
   • Encouraging entry into higher value and organic markets.
   • Promoting cooperatives for better bargaining power and market access.
   • Enhancing professional education and agricultural extension services.

2. Promote Rural Non-Farm Sector:

   • Invest in infrastructure to strengthen rural-urban linkages.
   • Attract investment in rural areas.
   • Create alternative local employment opportunities.

3. Strengthen Business Environment:

   • Foster job creation in both urban and rural areas.
   • Improve the business environment for economic growth.

4. Social Protection for Elderly Farmers:

   • Provide social protection for elderly farmers who are likely poor and dependent on subsistence farming.
   • Ensure policies are in an environment of rule of law, efficient public spending, and functioning public institutions.

Lessons from EU Accession of Romania and Poland

• Romania and Poland experienced significant agricultural transformation post-EU accession.
• Poland successfully improved competitiveness and adapted to EU standards, resulting in positive agricultural development.
• Romania has a structure similar to Moldova, but its transformation was hindered by lack of entrepreneurial experience, investment capacity, and insufficient policy responses to market failures.

Conclusion

The Moldova Poverty Assessment 2016 emphasizes the need for tailored policies to address the diverse needs of smallholder farmers. While commercialization is important for long-term growth, non-farm diversification is currently more effective in poverty reduction. A comprehensive approach, including investment in rural infrastructure, support for non-farm sectors, and improved access to finance and education, is essential for sustainable development and shared prosperity in Moldova.