Automation has become one of the main directions of farm modernization in Romania, both in the crop sector and in livestock farming. According to DG AGRI – Smart Farming Report 2024, the adoption of automated equipment in European farms has increased steadily, and the effects on productivity are clear: reduced labor costs, lower technological losses, and improved operational efficiency.

In Romania, access to advanced technologies is supported by AFIR through the interventions of the CAP Strategic Plan (PNS) 2023–2027 dedicated to farm modernization. Eligible investments include milking robots, automatic feeding systems, sensors for soil and crop monitoring, digital management platforms, and GPS-guided machinery. According to AFIR reports from 2024, demand for technological equipment is increasing, especially among medium-sized farms.

Automation does not eliminate the need for personnel but changes the type of skills required. Eurostat indicates a Europe-wide increase in demand for operators specialized in agricultural technology, and Romania follows the same trend.

The benefits are evident: real-time monitoring, optimized input consumption, automatic data analysis, and reduced operational errors. Farms that invest in technology prove to be more resilient during periods of volatility, with a greater capacity to adapt to climatic and economic conditions.

Automation is no longer an option but a prerequisite for farm competitiveness from 2025 onward.

(Photo: Freepik)