Family farms continue to represent the backbone of Romanian agriculture. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS), over 90% of Romania’s agricultural holdings are family-run and managed directly by their owners. However, these farms account for less than 40% of the total value of national agricultural production.

This discrepancy reveals a structural reality: family farms are numerous but undercapitalized and weakly integrated into commercial supply chains. According to Eurostat, the average size of a family farm in Romania is 3.6 hectares, compared to the European average of 16.8 hectares.

To support these farms, the Agency for Rural Investment Financing (AFIR) introduced in 2024 a dedicated scheme for small and medium-sized agricultural investments — offering up to €100,000 in non-reimbursable aid for equipment modernization, primary processing, and renewable energy systems. The Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) also provides redistributive payments for farms under 50 hectares, aimed at reducing disparities.

Family farms cannot compete in terms of volume, but they can succeed through diversification and quality. Local products, organic farming, and artisanal processing are viable directions for strengthening this segment. Romania has the potential to transform family farms into a stable and sustainable economic pillar, provided that support policies remain coherent and predictable.

(Photo: Freepik)