FNPAIA founding concept

The concept of founding of the agricultural federation in Moldova was brought by ILO ACT/EMP during a meeting of industry employers in January 2003, in preparation for a tripartite seminar on ILO Convention No. 184 regarding occupational safety and health in agriculture.

The National Federation of Employers in Agriculture and Food Industry (FNPAIA) originated from the Republican Union of Agricultural Producers “UniAgroProtect” and was established in order to give agricultural employers the possibility to participate in the social dialogue in the tripartite meeting with state authorities and trade unions.

FNPAIA was founded on 28 March 2003 and became member of the National Confederation of Moldovan Employers (CNPM), representing in this organisation the employers from agriculture and food industry. As representative of Moldovan agricultural employers and member of the tripartite dialogue, FNPAIA has been taking active part since then in improving the legislative framework, in adjusting the legislation to provisions of Convention 184 on Safety and Health in Agriculture.

FNPAIA, as a social partner, participates in the implementation of the Plan of measures approved by the Government of the Republic of Moldova through Government Decision no. 1538 of 22 December 2003.

FNPAIA participates in the development of a strategic framework for adapting and implementing of the WIND methodology (Work Improvements in Neighbourhood Development) in Moldova, which is organised in Moldova under the aegis of the ILO and which is part of the Moldova commitment regarding implementation of ILO Convention No. 184.

The National Federation of Employers in Agriculture and Food Industry is the main implementing agency of the ILO ACT/EMP Project on Combating Child Labour in Agriculture in Moldova.

The main goals of the organisation are to expand and increase the number of members, have a strong and sound voice at the national level, influence the state policy in agriculture, provide regular information and publicity support to rural entrepreneurs and create a conducive legal environment for their efficient activity.

At present the Federation represents 2065 large agricultural enterprises and 19625 individual farms, which work about 50% (757833 ha) of agricultural lands of the Republic of Moldova.

The organisation helps its members in running a successful agribusiness by providing the necessary consultations, by providing access to agricultural machinery through linkages with partners and it is the organisation that represents the agribusiness in relationships with state structures by lobbying laws, which would be beneficial for developing the agricultural business.

At this moment in time FNPAIA has sixteen member associations located in different regions all-over the country. A number of 15 associations are involved in the agricultural business, and one association is involved in the livestock industry. The structure of those 15 member-associations comprises both large agricultural enterprises and small individual farms. They are differentiated based on the following principle: the so-called regular members and associated members.

Every association has its own staff, which includes experts in business planning, accounting, marketing and law. The specialists have passed training and their role is to help members in drafting of business plans, develop marketing strategies, etc.

Although the general situation in the agricultural sector is quite difficult, still there are good practices, at least among the FNPAIA members. The agribusiness has success stories of entrepreneurs with high moral responsibility devoting efforts to community needs. The Federation is and it will be encouraging and promoting such entrepreneurs.