The establishment of the Agricultural Sustainability Data Network (ARDN) is not an optional option, but an obligation assumed by Romania through European legislation, and the development of the normative act for the establishment of the network represents a necessary step for Romania to align with the European Union requirements in the field of sustainable agriculture.
The clarifications came from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), after information regarding the salaries of specialists who will work within the RDDA appeared in the public domain.
"The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development specifies that the development of the normative act for the establishment of the Agricultural Sustainability Data Network (ARDN) represents a necessary step for Romania to align with the European Union requirements in the field of sustainable agriculture. Starting with the 2025 reporting year, all Member States have the obligation to collect and transmit to the European Commission data on the sustainability of agriculture, not only from an economic perspective, but also from an environmental and social perspective. This obligation derives from Regulation (EU) 2023/2674 and from the Implementing Regulations adopted by the Commission in 2024, which transform the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) into the Agricultural Sustainability Data Network (ARDN)", it is stated in a press release sent on Monday by the MARD.
The new structure will operate under the subordination of the MARD, through the reorganization of the FADN Service, and will be responsible for collecting, verifying and transmitting data to the European Commission, as well as for carrying out objective analyses to support the substantiation of national agricultural policies.
"Through this information, farmers will be able to benefit from personalized counseling and comparative analyses regarding farm performance, and Romania will be able to demonstrate compliance with the objectives of the CAP and the European Green Deal," claim MADR representatives.
For the period 2025-2027, Romania benefits from a total budget of 3.5 million euros for the operationalization of the new network, of which 2.57 million euros represent the European Union contribution, and the rest is national co-financing.
According to the cited source, the funds will be directed primarily towards the development of a modern software application and the acquisition of hardware equipment, worth approximately 1.83 million euros, necessary to ensure interoperability with European platforms and real-time data collection. Other amounts are intended for incentives granted to farmers participating in the network (approximately 765,000 euros), economic analysis services and report editing (approximately 268,000 euros), promotion, training and experience exchange activities, as well as indirect operating expenses. Only a small part of the budget - approximately 305,000 euros for the entire period - is provided for the payment of three new specialist positions that will work within the RDDA, the rest of the personnel expenses being covered, as before, from the MADR budget, according to the ministry representatives.
Regarding the information published in the public space regarding salaries, we note that the amount of 2,800 euros invoked refers to the gross salary, equivalent to 14,000 lei gross, which means approximately 8,100 lei net. This salary level corresponds to the public position of senior advisor, according to the scale applicable in the central public administration, and does not represent an exception or an additional benefit, the press release also states.
"The establishment of the RDDA does not represent an optional option, but an obligation assumed by Romania through European legislation. Through this approach, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ensures compliance with European commitments and lays the foundations for a more sustainable, transparent and competitive agriculture, based on objective and complete data. The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to transparency and professionalism in the implementation of this strategic project for the future of Romanian agriculture," the MADR said in the cited press release.
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