CRPE hosted an agricultural education marathon, bringing together directors of agricultural schools from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, universities, farmers, professional associations, ministries, and relevant public institutions. Over three days, participants engaged in discussions on public policies, challenges, best practices, financing, and, most importantly, concrete ways to collaborate and learn from each other.
The Moldovan Delegation
The event welcomed 22 representatives from the Republic of Moldova’s agricultural education ecosystem, including directors and teachers from 10 centres of excellence, colleges, and vocational agricultural schools. They were joined by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Center, the „Livada Moldovei” program, and an economic operator specializing in professional training and digitalized agriculture.
Additionally, our Farmkeen project partners – the Center for Entrepreneurial Education and Business Assistance (CEDA) contributed to the discussions, supporting the exchange of best practices and identifying new opportunities for collaboration between agricultural education institutions in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
Facilitating the Transition to Dual Vocational Education
The event started with a debate on the future of agricultural education and its adaptation to labour market demands. Prof. Dr. Daniel David, Romania’s Minister of Education, presented the new framework curricula for agricultural high schools, emphasizing how these reforms aim to enhance the attractiveness and professionalism of the sector. Meanwhile, Sorin Ion, State Secretary at the Romanian Ministry of Education, highlighted the benefits of increased school autonomy in fostering partnerships with employers and the agricultural business sector. This is a crucial direction for both Romania and the Republic of Moldova, where collaboration between schools and private sector actors is essential for modernizing agricultural education.
Funding Agricultural Education: Challenges and Solutions
A key topic of discussion was funding for agricultural high schools, addressed by representatives from the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) and the Agency for Rural Investment Financing (AFIR). They provided insights into the funding opportunities available through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the necessary investments in infrastructure and teacher training.
Collaboration with Academia and the Agricultural Sector
Universities of Agronomic Sciences and Life Sciences from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași and Timișoara reaffirmed their support for agricultural education, proposing partnerships in specialized practical training and teacher development programs, set to launch in 2025.
Additionally, the Forum of APPR shared its experience in developing partnerships between farmers and agricultural schools, a model already successfully implemented in four counties in Romania. A concrete example is the launch of the first modern educational material on agricultural mechanics, a vital tool for student and teacher training, to which CRPE also contributed. Similar initiatives could be adapted and implemented in the Republic of Moldova, strengthening the link between schools and the agricultural sector.
Shared Perspectives for Agricultural Education in Romania and the Republic of Moldova
During the event, the Moldovan delegation had the opportunity to explore both the tradition and innovation of agricultural education, hosted by Professor Dr Valeriu Tabără, President of the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences “Gheorghe Ionescu-Șișești”. A visit to the institution’s library provided a moment of reflection on the continuity and relevance of agronomic knowledge, with century-old specialized works proving to be surprisingly timeless and applicable today.
On the third day of the event, discussions focused on shared challenges and collaborative opportunities between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, particularly:
- Work-based learning and the integration of Agriculture 4.0 as a solution for sustainability and modernization;
- The role of the “Growing through Agricultural Education” consortium in advancing and promoting agricultural education;
- Public policies on specialized internships and dual education, were analyzed through the expertise developed in the Farmkeen project.
These discussions laid the foundation for identifying concrete opportunities for best practice transfer and building lasting partnerships between agricultural education institutions in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, ensuring a constructive dialogue for the future.
Next Steps
This event was just the beginning of a broader dialogue. We will meet again in 2026 to continue this cooperation, but until then, efforts are already underway to develop solid partnerships between agricultural education institutions in Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
Next week, the exchange continues in Chișinău, where we will explore new collaboration opportunities.
Special thanks to the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences “Gheorghe Ionescu-Șișești” for hosting this event.
This event was co-financed by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the European Union or the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the coordinating institution can be held responsible for these views.