Herbicides Found in Soroca Sunflower Samples: Farmer Estimates Losses at 5 Million Lei

A farmer from the Soroca district in the Republic of Moldova is reporting staggering losses of approximately 5 million lei after dozens of hectares of sunflower crops began to wither and dry up. Following laboratory analyses of plant samples, two different herbicides were detected, and local authorities intend to investigate who applied the chemicals and under what circumstances.

The case involves Andrian Dumitras, the head of an agricultural enterprise in the Soroca district. According to a formal complaint filed with the Soroca Prosecutor's Office, crops located near the localities of Iarova and Zastânca were damaged between June 26 and July 7, 2026. The farmer claims the plants were sprayed with chemical substances without his consent or knowledge.

In the statement submitted on July 10, the farmer reported damage to 93 hectares of sunflower crops situated across two plots measuring 61 and 32 hectares. Furthermore, he suspects that agricultural drones might have been used to carry out the unauthorized spraying, although this version has not yet been officially confirmed by authorities.

Shortly after the issue came to light, local commissions visited the sites to assess the situation. In Iarova, out of 59.25 hectares inspected, about 53 hectares were officially designated as affected. According to the inspection report, the harvest was roughly 90 percent destroyed, with plants showing clear signs of desiccation, leaf necrosis, and unusual yellowing.

The commission indicated that the nature of the plant damage points directly to the application of phytosanitary products rather than the impact of plant diseases or adverse weather conditions. Damage was also recorded in Zastânca, where an additional 21.34 hectares of sunflower crops belonging to Dumitras's enterprise were affected, alongside plots belonging to two other local landowners.