In the face of labor shortages, mechanization and automation are presented as inevitable solutions. According to the European Commission, investments in technologies that reduce dependence on manual labor increased across the EU in the 2023–2025 period, including in Romania.

From an economic perspective, automation reduces variable costs but increases fixed costs. Investments in advanced machinery and automated systems require significant capital and a high level of utilization to be profitable. In undersized farms, such investments can generate financial pressure without delivering real productivity gains.

Another risk is over-technologization. JRC data show that technology used without adaptation to the specific characteristics of the farm does not automatically lead to efficiency improvements. The lack of qualified personnel for operation and maintenance can offset the advantages of such investments.

For 2026, the balance between labor and technology becomes essential. From an economic standpoint, productivity increases through the efficient use of capital and available skills, not through the complete elimination of human labor.

(Photo: Freepik)