Minister Florin-Ionuț Barbu conducted a working visit to three investment objectives in Brăila County: the SRPA Spiru Haret pumping station, a alfalfa processing farm, and a dairy cow farm.

"Today, exploring the Brăila area - the agricultural heart of Romania, I found inspiration and innovation in alfalfa processing, vitality in irrigation stations, dedication, and passion in dairy cow farms. Each visit was evidence of the passion and ambition of Romanian farmers, shaping the very essence of our nation's agricultural heritage.

These moments are proof of the impact our farmers have on economic development, through the cultivation of our lands, community involvement, and the valorization of their productions.

We have a duty to honor the efforts of these people, to nourish their aspirations, and to cultivate a future where sustainability and prosperity intertwine, leading to the excellence of Romanian agriculture that we all desire," stated Minister Florin Barbu.

The SRPA Spiru HARET station was designed to provide water for the irrigation of an area of 203,104 hectares of arable land, of which 137,000 ha are located within Brăila County, supplying 3 irrigation facilities: BH Călmățui, Ianca Surdila Greci, and Grădiștea Făurei Jirlău.

The minister checked the progress of the rehabilitation works on-site and emphasized the importance of maintaining a sustained pace so that the investment objective is completed on schedule. In this context, the minister stressed that accelerating investments in irrigation infrastructure is essential to ensure the stability of agricultural productions and sustainable development of local agriculture.

The investment has a total value of 247,710,437 lei, and the deadline for completion of the works is 2026. Following the rehabilitation works, an area of 20,670 hectares will be irrigated.

All pumping stations will be equipped with automation systems, two pumping units will be rehabilitated, 27 hydro-technical constructions, as well as an inlet and distribution channel network.

Minister Florin Barbu's second stop was at an alfalfa collection, processing, storage, and commercialization farm in the Însurăței-Dropia area, Brăila County. The minister discussed with the farm owner, listened to the company's story, and its future plans.

Two years ago, the farmer laid the foundations of an alfalfa hay dehydration factory, with a production capacity of 25,000-45,000 tons/year, with a total investment value of 3.6 million euros, of which 1.8 million represents non-reimbursable financing, the investment being made on the company's owned land.

The investment objective was completed with the help of European funds, accessed through SM 4.2 "Support for investments in the processing/marketing of agricultural products" from the National Rural Development Program.

The project involves purchasing 85% of alfalfa from farmers in neighboring areas who cultivate it, while the contractor provides the seed and inputs for the farmers they collaborate with.

Considering that a significant portion of the processed alfalfa is exported, the farmer aims to build a compound feed factory that will serve 50% of its own animal raising capacity, as well as farmers operating in the livestock sector.

In this context, the minister stated that through the National Rural Development Program, funding is aimed at the acquisition of animals, which will contribute to the development and modernization of animal husbandry in Romania.

Minister Florin Barbu's third objective visited in Brăila County was the dairy cow farm established in 2000 by the Ardeleanu family.

They gradually increased their cattle herds, currently reaching 1000 heads, with a processing capacity of 12,000 liters, and managed to integrate plant production into animal husbandry, with 90% of fodder being produced on the 1,600 hectares of agricultural land.

The owners aim to expand and develop the farm, and to this end, they have submitted two projects for interventions under RD 20 "Investments in the livestock sector" and RD 22 "Investments in the conditioning, storage, and processing of agricultural and horticultural products" from the PNDR.

The minister appreciated the farm's performance and urged the owners to continue developing and investing in the farm to add value to Romanian products.

The minister was accompanied by State Secretary Sorin Moise, the General Director of ANIF, Cornel Popa, as well as representatives of local public authorities.