Andrei Botnari has joined Claydon Drills as Export Territory Manager, further strengthening the company’s growing export team. In his new role, Andrei will be working closely with Claydon’s Export Manager, Simon Revell, within the company’s Commercial Team headed by Spencer Claydon.
“This is an exciting time to be working for Claydon,” Andrei states. “For some time, I have noticed the Claydon System and the company’s range of Opti-Till® products getting increasing attention, much more than even five years ago. There is no doubt that they have a key role to play in promoting regenerative agriculture.”
Born in the Republic of Moldova, a landlocked Eastern European country between Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and west, Andrei has spent his entire career in agriculture.
Mr Botnari says: “Moldova relies heavily on its agricultural industry, which is the largest sector of the country’s economy. My mother and grandfather both have a PhD in agriculture, so the industry runs in our family and it was natural that I would follow in their footsteps.”
Mr Botnari graduated from the State Agrarian University of Moldova (SAUM) in Chişinău, the country’s capital city, with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Agronomy and Crop Science during 2008.
His first job was as an agronomist for one of Moldova’s largest companies, WeTrade SRL in Chişinău, which provides producers with effective technologies for growing crops. Initially, Andrei assisted with pesticide registrations and field trials, then became product manager for the company, which also farmed 16,000 hectares. In that role he was responsible for all aspects of developing the business, helping to bring about a five-fold increase in the number of products offered and the company’s annual turnover.
In 2012, Andrei came to the UK to be reunited with his wife, who was studying at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. Househam Sprayers were used on the farm owned by WeTrade SRL and Andrei had contacts there, so he approached the Lincolnshire-based manufacturer which was looking for a Russian-speaking export sales manager. In that role, Andrei was responsible for developing the company’s dealership network and building awareness of the brand in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Baltic countries, as well as Turkey, Egypt, and Oman.
Now living in Walthamstow, North East London, Andrei joined Claydon Drills as export territory manager in November.
“I have known the Claydon family for some time, having met Jeff and Spencer Claydon on many occasions at agricultural events throughout Europe. Claydon is a unique company, combining the latest developments in techniques which reduce the time and cost of establishing combinable crops, with significant environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration.
“Regenerative agriculture is becoming increasingly important all over the world. I first heard about it while at University and learned how direct crop establishment was being used in countries such as Kazakhstan to minimise soil erosion. I have seen this approach becoming more and more relevant and popular for some years now, so I decided to apply my skills in this fast-developing sector of agriculture.
“Claydon’s innovative technology can help to promote regenerative agriculture in so many ways, such as rebuilding soil organic matter, improving water management and restoring the biodiversity of soils which have been degraded by decades of conventional cultivations.”
