In August, the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Center together with representatives of research institutions from the Republic of Moldova took part in a study visit to the Netherlands. The purpose of the visit was to understand how agricultural advisory services and research are organized in the Netherlands, and how research institutions interact with the government and private sector.

The study visit was organized with the support of the “Policy Advisory Fund” project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Moldova.

The delegation from the Republic of Moldova visited several companies and agricultural holdings in the Netherlands. They held meetings at the Ministry of Agriculture and discussions with agricultural policy experts, and visited the Farm of the Future at Wageningen University & Research, a laboratory dedicated to agroecology and technology. The group also became familiar with the activities of agricultural innovation centers and demonstration farms, including the Aeres Barneveld Poultry Expertise Center, where they observed a specialized fly-rearing facility used for feeding birds.

“We noted that in the Netherlands there is strong involvement of public–private partnerships in agricultural advisory services, which is lacking in our country. However, even though advisory institutions are mostly private, the government provides access to projects and government programs under clear requirements that fund consultancy activities,” said Carolina Chiper, Director of the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Center.

Another key aspect observed by participants was the close link between farmers and researchers.

“Farmers are used to paying for advisory services, but in return they benefit from the expertise of researchers, who adapt the language and materials to be understandable and easily applicable. This collaboration is also supported through financial mechanisms—for example, per-hectare subsidies (around 350 euros/ha), which farmers can use to cover consultancy costs. Emphasis is placed on practical training: farmers participate in face-to-face sessions in the field or on the farm, considered much more effective than online training. Advisors do not limit themselves to phone recommendations or remote guidance; they engage directly in agricultural activities. Moreover, the level of education among farmers is high—most participate in training, and in many cases even pursue university or postgraduate studies, with few situations where farmers lack formal education,” emphasized Carolina Chiper.