At the Research and Extension Station in Agriculture in Criuleni, part of the Technical University of Moldova, a fruit orchard spanning more than 10 hectares has been established. The plantation is designed to support research, provide practical training for students and serve as a platform for agricultural extension activities.
The initiative contributes to several key objectives:
- developing practical skills among students of the Faculty of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences;
- advancing research in horticulture;
- generating technical recommendations for orchard management;
- supporting the growth of the private fruit-growing sector;
- improving the quantity, quality and competitiveness of fruit production in the Republic of Moldova, in line with European standards.
Serafim Glutnic, a master’s student at FȘASM and coordinator of the planting works, points to the importance of this infrastructure for hands-on learning: “With more than 500 hectares available at the station, students at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels have the opportunity to train as specialists in horticulture and agronomy. It allows us to apply, in real conditions, the knowledge we gain during our studies.”
Research and teaching directions
The plantation will serve as a testing ground for:
- varieties and rootstocks adapted to local conditions;
- tree training and pruning systems;
- modern cultivation technologies;
- fertilization and plant protection programs;
- other applied activities relevant to the fruit-growing sector.
Students and researchers from FȘASM will be directly involved in fieldwork and in developing practical recommendations for orchard management.
Speaking about the orchard’s relevance for the agricultural business environment, Serafim Glutnic adds: “This is not a space reserved only for students. Entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector can benefit from the station’s scientific base by attending information sessions and by adopting innovative practices in their own operations.”
Structure of the plantation
The orchard includes around 50 varieties of fruit trees, covering the main species suited to the pedoclimatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova. The total area is organized into three cultivation systems: about 4 hectares are equipped with support structures, another 4 hectares combine support systems with anti-hail protection, and 2 hectares are managed under a traditional system. An irrigation system, including a storage reservoir, is currently under construction.
Funding through the “Livada Moldovei” project
The plantation was developed through an investment of 1.379 million euros under the “Livada Moldovei” project, funded by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with support from the European Investment Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. The project aims to modernize and equip 13 educational institutions through 15 investment projects, with a total budget of 18 million euros.
Additional investments at UTM under the same project include the planting, last spring, of 4.8 hectares of vineyard with 12 local grape varieties at the Criuleni station, along with the installation of a monoplan support system, as well as the purchase of a combine harvester and a seed drill for cereals. More than 500,000 euros have also been allocated for the rehabilitation and equipment of laboratories at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of UTM.
