President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday said that agriculture could become a real engine of economic growth, underlining that according to figures Romania has had a good agricultural year.
"Romania has a huge agricultural potential and we should all be interested in agriculture's fate and its development prospects. (...) I've just visited a part of the INDAGRA fair and I have to tell you that there are good omens for our agriculture, which might become an engine of economic growth, both through performance and competitiveness," Iohannis told a debate called 'Romania's President in conversation with agriculturists,' organised as part of the INDAGRA international agricultural trade fair.
The head of state specified that for a sustainable path, agriculture needs investment, applied research, cutting-edge machinery and tools, modern techniques and technologies.
"For the first time, the average wheat production of Romania exceeded 4.1 tonnes per hectare. This good yield shows it is understood that modern agriculture requires investment in modern techniques and technologies that bring immediate productivity," said Iohannis.
He added that several farmers have advanced to a level of high performing agriculture, specifying that EU funds have also contributed to this result.
"It is remarkable that over 3.4 billion euro have been paid just this year. A huge sum, an amount that has certainly contributed to the good results," said Iohannis.
In his opinion, to be more competitive in the current market's dynamic, Romania should get more consistent investment in processing sector.
"Only this way could we reverse the ongoing trends of large agri-food imports that have generated an almost 15pct-deficit in Romania's agri-food trade," explained Iohannis.
The head of state added that new markets for the Romanian products should be sought, both inside and outside the European Union.
Comentează