Viorel Morărescu, Director of the Plant Sector Policies Directorate (DPSV) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) and ambassador for organic agriculture, delivered a presentation today, March 25, 2024, at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) to second-year students at the Faculty of Agri-Food Economics and Environment. The presentation focused on the National Action Plan for the development of organic production in Romania, as well as the current situation and prospects in organic agriculture.

During this event, Viorel Morărescu met with Prof. Mirela Stoian, Ph.D., the dean of the Faculty of Agri-Food Economics and Environment at ASE Bucharest. The dean welcomed the partnership between the two institutions, stating that the activities they can carry out together can be developed and diversified in the future, especially given the multiple challenges facing the agri-food sector in our country.

In his speech, Viorel Morărescu emphasized the importance of developing and stimulating organic production in Romania in the current context of transition to sustainable production. In this regard, he outlined the national objectives related to the National Action Plan for the development of organic production:

- Increasing organically cultivated areas and high-value organic products, enhancing and diversifying organic production – creating product chains, production correlated with consumption needs, integrating production into supply chains, increasing the share of the processing sector, counseling and training farmers, developing local and regional networks, supporting farmer associations, encouraging and motivating farmers, educating and informing consumers, adapting research to the needs of the organic agriculture sector, increasing consumer trust.

Morărescu also conveyed to the students that an important aspect of the plan is promoting awareness and education among farmers and consumers. To this end, MADR intends to inform them about the benefits of organic products and initiate promotional campaigns to increase demand for such products.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture aims to support research and innovation in organic agriculture by developing collaboration networks among researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices.

During his presentation, Director Morărescu addressed aspects such as the allocation of PS PAC 2023-2027, the structure of organic production, needs and development potential, stimulating demand and increasing consumer trust, revitalizing production and consolidating the entire value chain, research, and sustainability.

"I hope that you, the young people, will represent an example for both future generations and your parents regarding the consumption of healthy and environmentally safe foods, as well as respect for nature," stated Viorel Morărescu.

Alongside the DPSV director, an expert from this directorate delivered a presentation on the labeling of organically certified food products.

The collaboration between ASE and MADR is part of a partnership agreement that involves providing a practice base by the Ministry and its subordinate institutions for ASE students in general and for students from the Faculty of Agri-Food Economics and Environment (EAM) in particular. For the academic year 2023-2024, the necessary conditions for carrying out internships for undergraduate and master's students are ensured.

In addition to organizing internships for students, the partnership agreement between the two institutions includes activities such as the participation of MADR specialists in courses and conferences organized by ASE, conducting joint studies and research projects, or participating in project implementation.