On the 18th and 19th of September, GSM in cooperation with the Phytotechnical Institute Porumbeni organised a 2-day workshop on "Sustainable Agriculture" in Porumbeni. This workshop was the first presentation of the "Sustainable Agriculture" training programme developed by GSM. 

This training programme consists of 7 modules and is designed to fulfil two functions: 
1.    Provide best practice experiences and updated know-how to students and young farmers.
2.    To provide extension services to farmers, including explanation of the requirements of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).  
21 participants from various relevant institutions and organisations from all over Moldova, including a number of agricultural vocational schools and the Faculty of Agriculture of the Technical University of Moldova, actively participated in the workshop. 

The training programme modules included relevant topics such as
•    Sustainable cultivation of different crops
•    Crop rotation
•    Appropriate and efficient use of fertilisers and pesticides 
•    Efficient use of limited natural resources (land, water, seeding, etc.)
•    EU CAP requirements (documentation, reporting, etc.)

Partly the workshop was held in the demonstration fields of the Phytotechnical Institute of Porumbeni. The workshop was conducted by one international expert (Dr. M. Struck) and two local experts (Dr. Anatolie Ignat and Dr. Pavel Covali).
Following this workshop, GSM is planning to conduct further ToT (Training of Trainers) workshops to create a growing pool of experts who will educate and train students and young farmers and/or provide Extension Services to farmers and agribusinesses on demand.