AI Revolution: Romanian Agency Helps Farmers Secure EU Funding
AI‑Powered Grant Processing by Romania’s AFIR
What AFIR Is Doing
- Adopting artificial intelligence to handle paperwork that farmers normally file.
- Creating a single, streamlined submission platform that eliminates redundant steps.
- Allowing farmers to concentrate on crop production while automated systems take care of the administrative details.
Why It Matters
- Reduces the time farmers spend on grant paperwork by up to 70 %.
- Ensures more accurate and timely allocation of funds.
- Supports rural economic growth by freeing up resources that can be invested directly into farming.
Future Outlook
With AI at the core of its operations, AFIR hopes to set a national standard for bureaucratic efficiency, making grant access easier for all Romanian cultivators.
Romania Accelerates Farmer Funding Through AI Automation
AI Partnership with UiPath
The Romanian Rural Investing Finance Authority (AFIR) announced a new partnership with UiPath, a local business automation and AI software provider, to simplify the grant application process for farmers.
Benefits for Agriculture
- Reduction in paperwork and processing time for farmers.
- Lower costs for obtaining necessary approvals.
- Improved access to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), enhancing agricultural competitiveness.
AFIR’s Current Impact
According to Director‑General George Chirita, AFIR manages financing requests totaling €5.32 billion from over 50,000 farmers, businesses, and local institutions. The newly implemented AI software has already saved government staff 784 hours in document searches.
Romania’s Digital Transformation Status
Despite a strong workforce in information and communications technology, a 2022 European Commission report identifies Romania as the lowest‑ranking EU country in digital transformation. This lag is attributed to a shortage of digital skills, though the nation benefits from robust internet connectivity.
- 2021 recovery plan included €1.4 billion for digitalizing public administration.
- AFIR is the first Romanian ministry to adopt AI while utilizing EU funds for ongoing digital upgrades.
Outlook
The move is expected to streamline grant access for farmers, making the process more efficient and cost‑effective, while positioning Romania as a pioneer among EU states in integrating AI into public services.
