In Romania, where 23 percent of the workforce and 18 percent of the population are farmers — by far the highest proportion among EU member states — agriculture plays a central role in the nation’s socio-economic fabric. Against this backdrop, Georgescu’s agrifood policies are not just important; they are pivotal. His 17-page policy document, titled “Food, Water, Energy: A Return to the Roots of the Romanian Nation,” offers a compelling vision for revitalizing rural Romania, filled with ambitious, feel-good objectives that resonate deeply with the countryside.
“He shares similar ideas to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,” remarked Cristian Pîrvulescu, a political studies professor at Bucharest’s leading university. Pîrvulescu referred to the former U.S. presidential candidate, who recently joined Donald Trump’s successful campaign and was subsequently nominated for the role of health secretary.
Much like RFK Jr., Georgescu champions a brand of “radical ecologism” that transcends traditional ideological boundaries. His proposals incorporate anti-globalist undertones, often shared by political extremists on both ends of the spectrum. Central to his vision is a rejection of intensive farming practices, which he criticizes for relying on “toxic” agrochemicals and generating “polluting and inefficient” outputs. Instead, Georgescu advocates for “peasant farming” and a return to traditional, organic agricultural methods.
His manifesto promises a wholesale transformation of Romanian agriculture: “Synthetic insecticides and pesticides will be replaced with ecological alternatives, and long-lasting chemicals will be substituted with active substances derived from nature.” These measures, Georgescu claims, will protect forests and rivers, safeguard pollinators like bees, and ensure access to “healthy, high-quality food.”
Georgescu also stresses the need to safeguard Romania’s soil, describing it as “the nation’s first strategic resource.” His vision calls for significant state investment to support farmers, particularly small-scale producers. Proposals include the creation of financing networks, such as popular and cooperative banks, and bolstering local markets to drive what he calls an “agroecological revolution.”
Reimagining Agriculture in Romania
A core pillar of Georgescu’s strategy is a reallocation of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies. He insists funds should be redirected to benefit smallholders, who comprise over 90 percent of Romania’s farming community. Additionally, Georgescu envisions Romania’s system of small-scale, extensive agriculture as a model that could inspire not only the Balkan region but the broader European Union as well.
Under Georgescu’s plan, the emphasis would shift away from industrial farming toward empowering small producers and fostering sustainable, nature-friendly agriculture practices. His proposals reflect a broader aim: to make farming in Romania — and perhaps beyond — not only great again but resilient, sustainable, and deeply tied to its roots.
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