Fuia said at a meeting with agriculture experts and mayors in Suceava, northern Romania, that farmers’ associations are of utmost importance for the development of Romania’s agricultural sector and farmers should team up, set up storage facilities and negotiate with large chains of supermarkets.
The minister highlighted the importance of Local Action Groups that will get European Union financing of EUR3 million each in the 2014-2020 interval to fund projects worth up to EUR200,000 for the setting up of storage facilities or farms.
Fuia said 2011 was a good farming year for the vegetable sector, adding that animal husbandry is also among the Government’s priorities to be able to export value added products. In late March, the minister said farmers’ teaming up in associations is crucial to boost profitability, adding a farmer will never be able to sell their merchandise to a supermarket unless they team up with other farmers.