Romanian farmers are set to receive significant financial assistance to boost their agriculture production, with the government rolling out new support schemes for both livestock and dairy sectors for 2025. This initiative aims to reinforce the nation’s agricultural output, address food security, and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
Under the National Transitional Aid (ANT), sheep and goat farmers will benefit from continued government subsidies, announced by the Romanian Agency for Payments and Intervention for Agriculture (APIA). These aids are expected to help farmers maintain their livestock and support the economic viability of their farms.
The eligibility criteria for these funds include owning at least 50 female sheep or 25 female goats, which must be registered with the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA). To qualify for the ANT, farmers must also keep their eligible livestock for at least 100 days after applying for the aid.
Individuals, authorized natural persons, individual enterprises, family businesses, and legal entities can apply for this financial support, provided they meet the registration and identification requirements. Essential documentation includes personal identification documents, business registration, and bank details.
On another front, the government has introduced another scheme aimed at boosting dairy and beef production through the acquisition of heifers, which is anticipated to revolutionize the livestock sector. The Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, indicated nearly two billion lei would be allocated for cattle related initiatives over the coming years.
This new scheme is part of the broader strategy to increase domestic milk production capacity, which Barbu detailed requires acquiring around 50,000 heifers to meet internal demand. Upcoming negotiations with the European Commission are expected to facilitate funding acquisition for these livestock through European funds rather than state aid.
To complement the heifer acquisition, the Romanian government is also investing significantly in constructing new farms. With around 2.8 million piglets expected and new poultry farms projected to add nearly 200 million heads, these initiatives mark substantial growth for the agriculture sector.
Barbu emphasized the importance of these projects, stating, “This support is about securing our food systems and ensuring sustainability,” as he outlined how improving livestock genetics and farm construction will benefit farmers and consumers alike.
Farmers have long struggled with low productivity, which currently sees average milk yields between 5 and 10 liters per cow per day. This situation has led to Romania importing roughly 12.9 billion euros worth of agro-food products against exports of 9.9 billion euros over the past year, pinpointing the urgent need for domestic production improvement.
Historically, products like pork and dairy have dominated imports, with cheese and other dairy products ranking among the top imported items. By investing more deeply in local farms and livestock procurement programs, Romanian agriculture aims to decrease its trade deficit and bolster the national economy.
Although the government’s initiatives are ambitious, they reflect a growing recognition of the need for enhanced agricultural policy framework and support mechanisms. Expectations are high as farmers await the implementation details and timelines of various financial aid programs.
With the future of Romanian agriculture hinging on these developments, the coming years will be pivotal. Stakeholders across the agricultural economy are hopeful these targeted supports can lead to more self-sufficiency, increased domestic production, and sustainable growth, clearly indicating the need for cooperation among farmers and key government entities.
Looking forward, the Ministry of Agriculture is expected to meet with European agricultural representatives to finalize funding processes and lay down the groundwork for the initiative’s launch.