Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 16 ISSUE 2
Written by Alexandru SIN

The purpose of this study is to compare agricultural reforms in China and Romania with respect to their similarities and differences in order to identify the best solutions and future challenges of each approach. Both countries underwent important structural reforms in order to modernize agriculture and develop their rural areas. Development policies were analysed in relation with the data regarding shifts in agricultural output and farm size. Reforms in China began in the '80s, while Romania followed in the '90s. Trying to address similar problems, the two countries adopted different strategies. Romania chose fast shock-type reforms, characteristic to most of the East European countries, while China opted for a slower, step-by-step solution. Romania adopted all the reforms needed for a shift towards a free-market economy at once, while China focused on market liberalization only after the decollectivization process was complete. The smooth path China has chosen allowed the farmers to adapt to the new demands. Still, the negative outcome in both countries was land fragmentation, preventing an important part of the rural area to join the newly formed efficient agriculture. Cooperative should not be imposed, as in the past, but promoted with long-term policies and funding incentives, as being the best way for small farmers to meet the quantitative and qualitative demands of the market and gain negotiation power in the product chain. In China’s case, enforcing property rights for agricultural land and allowing their free trade will be very important for future development. For Romania, one of the most important challenges will be to increase the agricultural land utilised by medium size farms, together with better absorption of EU funds.

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