11 stations for launching anti-hail missiles were opened today in the southern Moldova.

The area of protected agricultural crops has doubled reaching up to 300 thousand hectares.

The idea of opening new anti-hail stations intrigued in February.

"In the past we had 146 thousand hectares to be protected so far, now that amount reaches up 296 thousand hectares.

With the joint support of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the Government, the Anti-Hail Service 7.340 million lei was allocated," said Ghenadie Onceanu, director of the Anti-Hail Service.

According to the authorities, the damage caused by weather amount to tens million of euros last year.

"The loss in unprotected areas during 2010- 2017 amounted 20, 25 million euros," said Iurie Uşurelu, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry.

With the opening of new stations for the launch of anti-hail missiles, 60 new jobs were created.

Only 1.8 million hectares of agricultural land are protected against hail.

At present over 300 thousand hectares of land are at the mercy of the nature such as the districts of Şoldăneşti, Rezina, Criuleni, Anenii Noi, Căuşeni, Ştefan Vodă, Cimişlia and Leova.

Part of the localities of Cahul, Cantemir, Gagauzia, Taraclia and Hancesti are protected against hail.

Currently, 132 anti-hail stations operate in Moldova.