The Netherlands is recognised worldwide for its agricultural productivity and innovation, and Romanian farmers are eager to embrace change, according to Violeta Musat, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Speaking on Thursday at " The Netherlands Day @ Indagra" event, she highlighted the need for practical, efficient solutions tailored to Romania's local farming conditions.
"The Netherlands is a global example of productivity and innovation. On a small area of land, greenhouse technologies, digital farming, circular agriculture, waste valorisation, and plant genetics are fields where Romania has much to gain through investment and know-how transfer. Romanians, Romanian farmers, are open to change and need concrete, efficient solutions adapted to local conditions," said Violeta Musat.
According to her, Romania supports processing and short food supply chains to bring added value to rural communities through available European funds, backing the development of dairy, meat, and bakery factories, as well as storage and packaging units, to make farmers more competitive.
The official also stated that the country continues measures to support young farmers through grants for farm start-ups, investment in small and medium-sized farms, and access to modern technologies.
"I am firmly convinced that the younger generation is the one that will transform Romanian agriculture in the coming years, and it is essential to provide them with the necessary tools in the context of these changes," underlined the secretary of state.
The Ministry of Agriculture (MADR) prioritises the modernisation of farms and processing systems through investments funded by the 2023-2027 strategic programme, the digitalisation of agriculture including precision technologies, sensors, drones, and intelligent crop management, sustainable water management, and the expansion of irrigation and drainage infrastructure. Additionally, increasing domestic processing to reduce the export of raw materials and support added value in Romania is planned, alongside supporting young farmers, integrating new generations into Romanian agriculture, and strengthening the resilience of family farms and cooperatives.
The MADR official noted that Romania has accelerated investments in irrigation over the past year.
"At the European level, discussions about food security are increasingly frequent, and water becomes a fundamental condition for any form of competitiveness. Therefore, technical collaborations with Dutch partners, internationally recognised for their water management solutions, are of strategic importance for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development," explained Violeta Musat.
She also praised the Netherlands' experience in horticulture, animal husbandry, and resource optimisation, which can accelerate the progress of Romanian agriculture.
"We have enormous potential, vast agricultural areas, natural resources, soil diversity, hardworking farmers open to technology, and an active private sector. However, to fully realise this potential, we need smart international collaborations, innovation, and sustainable investments - exactly what today's event promotes. We remain open to joint projects with Dutch partners in research and innovation, vocational training, digital technologies, smart farms, water resource management, and integrated food chain development," added the MADR official.
"The Netherlands Day @ Indagra" event is taking place on Thursday at Romexpo, on the occasion of the Dutch agricultural mission visiting Romania.
The event addresses ways to increase the resilience of the agri-food sector, both from the EU perspective and Romania's, at both policy and practical levels.
Speakers include Willemijn van Haaften, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Ralf van de Beek, Director for International Agribusiness and Food Security at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature of the Netherlands.
During the panel "From Field to Future: Resilient Agri-Food Production in Times of Change," speakers included Jesse Schevel, Glastuinbouw Nederland manager, farmer and dairy breeder in the Netherlands; Florian Ciolacu, Executive Director, Romanian Farmers' Club; Teofil Dascalu, Vice-President, Forum of Professional Farmers and Processors in Romania (FAPPR/Frizon); Florentin Bercu, Executive Director, National Union of Cooperatives in the Plant Sector (UNCSV); Stefan Velea, Production Director at Holland Farming greenhouse; and Bart de Vries.
Romania's best-known agricultural event - Indagra & Indagra Food 2025 - opened on Wednesday at the Romexpo Exhibition Centre, bringing together 420 companies from 20 countries.
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