Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 3
Written by Dragoș Gabriel ION, Daniela CREȚU

This study examines the agricultural productivity and land use efficiency of two key arable crops, wheat and sunflower seed, across all 41 Romanian counties for a period of 34 years, from 1990 to 2023. The research aims to measure and compare crop productivity, overall efficiency, identify high and under-performing counties, and propose interventions for enhancing regional agricultural performance. Data on crop yields (output per hectare) and land use efficiency (relative to the baseline year of 1990) are analyzed to identify trends and regional disparities in agricultural performance. The findings highlight significant variability in productivity and efficiency across counties, with certain regions, such as Călărași and Timiș, consistently outperforming others. In contrast, counties like Tulcea and Harghita exhibit moderate performance with room for improvement in both productivity and efficiency. This study identifies key factors influencing agricultural performance, such as technological adoption, infrastructure, and climate conditions, and suggests targeted interventions, including technology adoption, farmer education, infrastructure improvements and financial support, to enhance the agricultural output and resource use efficiency in underperforming counties. The findings offer insights into the regional disparities in agricultural performance and provide a framework for policy interventions aimed at boosting the productivity and sustainability of Romanian agriculture.

[Read full article] [Citation]