Organic vegetable seed production in Moldova Applicant De Bolster B.V. and local partner ICS Eco-Economic SRL will set up a new joint venture in Moldova that will produce certified organic vegetable seeds.The joint venture will receive source seed material through the applicant for the multiplication of organic vegetable seed. Farming will be done both on own land and with outgrowers. The joint venture will sell its seeds to De Bolster B.V. who will further sell through its market channels.The project is very innovative as there is not yet a company producing organic vegetable seeds in Moldova. There is not even a conventional vegetable seed company under commercial operations. The joint venture will employ 30 staff members and will contract at least 30 outgrowers. At least twelve of vegetable cultivars are planned.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The partners declare to devote time and effort in implementing and defending CSR guidelines. The consortium partners would like to set an example in Moldova on how to combine business, socio-economic development and environmental benefits.The new joint venture will actively involve small scale and therefore vulnerable farmers to be included in the project. The new joint venture will also work with a women group  organised to cope with broken families, divorces, alcoholic husbands and handicapped children – to grow seeds in a cooperative structure. The women group is well organised and supported by a local NGO. The NGO is looking for small-scale income generating activities for their target group.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsIn total 30 new jobs will be created. Staff will consist of 6 high/medium-level and 24 basic-level staff. Staff is expected to increase in two years' time to about 55, this includes more extension workers and farm workers, but also includes a considerable amount of people working in seed cleaning – quality control, technician, documentation – as more and more seed cleaning activities will be done under the new joint venture.The personnel will earn well above the minimum wage, between 350 euro per month for basic-qualified workers to 700 euro for a manager.The joint venture will offer the staff the following benefits: health and other insurance; sick leave; pension; travel costs - this will be either compensated or arranged by having a small company bus; food will be provided to staff (this is common practice on the Moldovan country side); a bonus system to reward good performances, in terms of production and quality; microfinance – the joint venture will either provide microfinance itself or collaborate with a professional institution on this.For smallholder farmers the joint venture will offer: long-term contracts; training; assist in the purchase of agricultural machinery to enable more efficient mechanised production; trade finance for farmers will be installed, to allow them to have sufficient investment in the crops.The consortium partners will actively assist more smallholders to be able to participate in the programme during as well as after the pilot.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThere is no commercial organic vegetable seed production and there is no conventional vegetable seed production in Moldova. The associated knowledge will be brought in by the consortium partners. This includes modern production methods, working with modern equipment, organic contract farming, working with foreigners (especially for grower groups with other products a plus), running a sustainable business and farm planning.•	Chain effectsCurrently, there is no organised organic vegetable seed production so a totally new production chain will be developed.The project will create an enabling environment for outgrowers to produce seeds; methods that include the integration of modern practices and are within the capacity of the farmers. And all these outgrowers will be assisted by the joint venture to prepare and cultivate the land.Strengthening the agricultural sector will also strengthen related supplies and services. This project will attract suppliers of organic agricultural inputs (bio fertilizers, bio pesticides), fuel, packaging, ICT services and financial services.A number of eight other enterprises that will profit are foreseen.•	EnvironmentOrganic farming is an overall system of farm management and food production that combines best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity and the preservation of natural resources.The proposed project can contribute towards making agriculture in Moldova less dependent on the use of agrochemicals.•	Position of womenOf the 30 staff 15 (50%) will be women. Three high/medium female staff will be employed by the new joint venture.Outgrowers will consist of both male and female farmers. Particularly with the inclusion of smallholders it is possible to include women farmers. More specifically, as mentioned before, the new joint venture will actively involve groups of women farmers. Commercial production of organic vegetable seeds in Moldova on 124 ha.