IT solutions remain one of the most suitable ways to recover traditional sectors of the country’s economy. Recently, the program “AgTech Academy” was launched, an initiative that will develop the skills of young people in agriculture that are required by companies in the country. The training courses represent an activity similar to the National Startup Moldova Program “Digital IMPACT”, a project that aims to provide several digital solutions for the recovery of traditional sectors of the national economy. This includes solutions such as process automation, improving business tools, and facilitating the use of e-commerce by encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration.

Ana Chirița, TEKWILL Project Director: “The Tekwill project is committed to providing digital solutions for several strategic sectors of the national economy. Through the national program Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT”, we collected data on industry difficulties and potential IT solutions on the market, and then we encouraged cross-sectoral collaboration. Moreover, we have launched several entrepreneurship education programs combined with the elements offered by IT solutions, and now we are at the stage of identifying and approving 10 solutions for different fields, which can be folded into several sectors and will contribute to their development. And that’s because at Startup Moldova we grow ideas that change the world. “

“AgTech Academy” – necessary training for young people in agriculture

The initiative to train young people in agriculture is launched by the specialized portal Agrobiznes.md, with the support of the USAID/ Moldova High Value Agriculture Activity and the TEKWILL Project “Startup Moldova Digital IMPACT” for digitalization of agriculture, funded by USAID and Sweden.

Oleg Stiopca, Head of Labor Development, USAID/ Moldova High Value Agriculture Activity: According to studies conducted at the beginning of the USAID/ HVAA project, young people studying agricultural specialties lack so-called “soft skills”, i.e. skills related to communication, leadership, teamwork. Certainly, AgTech Academy will fill these gaps in training strength specialists who will turn agriculture into a successful business.”

In partnership with Startup Academy, several training courses are to be organized in the next period, given that the progress of agriculture in the country requires additional expertise. Forty young people are to be selected to participate in two editions of the Academy including autumn/winter 2020 and spring/summer 2021. With these editions, a series of trainings will be organized where participants will develop their corporate thinking, learn the secrets of strategic planning, and digitization of agriculture.

Sergiu Jaman, founder of Agrobiznes: “We are sure that agriculture can become attractive for young specialists immediately after graduation. We have met many young people who want to develop a healthy activity at home, that is why we believe in the success of this platform. Together with young people and private companies, we will continue to identify the problems that make the agricultural sector less attractive at the moment, but also will find the solutions.”

AgTech has become the first Academy in Moldova for young specialists passionate about agriculture. It will function as a platform for dialogue between potential employers and employees and also offer young people the opportunity to develop the skills required by companies in the field. The trainings come with a series of practical benefits and at the end of the course, young people will have the opportunity to bring their knowledge gained to the top five companies in the agricultural sector. Thus, the training program will ensure:

• a platform that provides a dialogue between young professionals and the private sector, but also new employment opportunities after the completion of internships;
• organizing online courses in marketing, entrepreneurship and digitalization of agriculture, in partnership with Startup Academy;
• organizing webinars for students and managers of agricultural educational institutions;
• career guidance and presentation of the most important aspects that must be taken into account during studies in order to meet the requirements of the employer;
• development of software skills for young specialists, including teamwork, communication, and results focused.

Those who want to participate in the training program can register by accessing the link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCil0YRmvm2usSMdXseYbnLuU5h-c5MAXiXHZosLKPc8Ei3w/viewform?gxids=

International partners support the digitization of sectors of the national economy

Currently, with the Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT” initiative, several sectoral solutions involving information technologies have been identified. Some of them are dedicated to the various branches of agriculture and the food industry:

• beekeeping – digital platform for preventing bee poisoning and facilitating communication between authorities, beekeepers, and farmers
• fruit export – a platform to consolidate promotion of local fruit producers for foreign markets
• online trade in agricultural products – “marketplace”, an integrated platform for marketing products and services to farmers and local companies
• wine industry – platform dedicated to guided tastings.

The implementation of Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT” takes place with the support of international partners.

Scott Hocklander, Head of the USAID Mission to Moldova: “The Startup Moldova “Digital IMPACT” program contributes to strengthening the ecosystem development effort, guided by innovation and knowledge of the technology industry. This project is part of a broader public-private partnership, which USAID supports in target sectors, to develop innovative businesses and support the integration of information technologies in different sectors of the economy. USAID believes in Moldova’s potential and in the ability of the private sector to implement information technologies in its day-to-day work. We support the successful development of different sectors because difficult situations require advanced solutions.”

Anna Lyberg, Swedish Ambassador to Moldova: “Sweden supports digital transformation globally, and in Moldova supports innovation, entrepreneurship and the ICT sector through programs launched by the TEKWILL Project. Thus, Sweden contributes to increasing IT skills and capacity by promoting innovative solutions in all sectors, including non-IT. The integration of information technologies in different spheres of life and the creation of alternative platforms can contribute to providing multiple opportunities for business development, economic growth and improving living conditions in Moldova, in general.”

The TEKWILL project – The revolution begins!

The Moldova Startup Program “Digital IMPACT” is part of the TEKWILL Project, implemented by the National Association of ICT Companies, with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sweden. “Tekwill” was created in 2017 as a Center of Excellence of the ICT sector in Moldova, with the main purpose of aligning the field with current market requirements. Aiming to contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the IT industry and other strategic sectors of the economy, the center has expanded its fields of activity, becoming in 2019 a complex nationwide project, with the slogan “The revolution begins!”. The basic objective of the TEKWILL Project, as a platform dedicated to the progress of the IT sector, is to ensure a major impact on the economic development of the country by improving the entrepreneurial and educational capacities of society, but also by increasing the research and development potential of education, in line with the demand in the IT market. More details on www.tekwill.md