ROMANIAN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE - WHERE NEXT?

Abstract

Given the characteristics of Romanian agriculture dominated mainly by fragmented and atomized structures and low productivity, the need for information and agricultural advisory services is obvious. Today, a large number of farmers are lacking knowledge, experience and skills appropriate for sustainable agricultural development. The objective of this paper is aimed at analyzing the evolution of the Romanian advisory service while identifying the strengths and weaknesses that characterize it. The main conclusion that emerged was, that during the period of integration of Romanian agriculture into The European Union, the development of agricultural advisory service has been full of changes and is best characterized by the word - instability. Although, there were forward-looking main and specific objectives, Romanian advisory service failed to implement most of them. Today, this service is in a process of deep restructuring, without being clear what structures will take its place in the future.