Fuia explained that these cooperatives would counter the disintegration of Romania’s farmland. Of the 1,048,000 farms that receive subsidies, 978,000 are smaller than 10 hectares each.
The ministry plans to run a pilot project in a few countries, with German support, to promote farmer organization. The advantages of these cooperatives, Fuia said, would be lower production costs, better chances to get banking loans and EU financing, increased competitiveness through easier access to technology and improved communication between farmers.
“Romanians must heal their historic traumas and look towards the future with confidence,” the minister said, referring to the policy of forced collectivization during the communist regime.