Romanian farmers seek drought relief amid compensation disputes

Agricultural organizations in Romania are calling for urgent government intervention following severe soil drought that has impacted crops and livestock in western counties, including Arad, Bihor, Caraș-Severin, Timiș, and Satu Mare. The Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation has requested that the Ministry of Agriculture begin an immediate inventory of affected areas, including autumn and spring crops, pastures, and the livestock sector.

To qualify for compensation, farmers whose crops have suffered damage exceeding 30% must submit notification and supporting documents to their local town hall. For spring crops, the deadline for submission is October 15, 2026. Required documentation includes a standard notification form, identification documents, and an APIA surface certificate to identify specific affected plots.

There is ongoing debate regarding the scale of financial aid. While government decisions suggest emergency grants of approximately 523 lei/ha (roughly 100 euro/ha) for corn and sunflower crops, recent reports indicate the Ministry of Agriculture may limit support to a maximum of 100 lei/ha, adjusted based on the degree of damage.