The modernization of agriculture represents a key dimension of Romania’s economic transformation and convergence within the European Union. This paper analyzes the structural and performance dynamics of the Romanian vegetal agricultural sector during the last two decades, compared to selected EU countries. Using official statistical data provided by the National Institute of Statistics, Eurostat, the study evaluates the evolution of agricultural areas, crop yields, production value, and gross value added in the vegetal subsector. Descriptive and comparative methods were applied to highlight the main structural changes and modernization trends influencing productivity and economic efficiency. The analysis also explores the relationship between technological investments, land consolidation, and agricultural output as indicators of modernization. The results indicate that, although Romania has maintained a strong position in cereal production, significant gaps persist in mechanization, technological input, and value creation compared to the EU average. The findings point to a slow but consistent process of structural convergence, supported by European funding instruments and national rural development programs. These processes have facilitated the modernization of farm management and resource allocation. The study concludes that the Romanian vegetal agricultural sector is undergoing a gradual transformation from an extensive production model toward a more competitive, capital-intensive, and technology-driven structure, reflecting the broader trajectory of agricultural modernization in Eastern Europe.

modernization, vegetal agriculture, structural transformation, productivity, Romania, European Union.

agronomy

Presentation: poster