The Impact of APIA Measures on the Sustainability of Agricultural
Holdings: Farmers’ Perception in Buzău County

Beatrice-Simona Manolache, Constantin Manolache, Silvius Stanciu

 ”Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați

Keywords: agricultural policies, sustainability, farmers, financial support, rural development.

JEL Classification: Q11, Q02.

Abstract: The paper aims to evaluate how agricultural policies implemented through the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) contribute to strengthening the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of agricultural holdings. The research was based on an online questionnaire applied to 101 active farmers from Buzău County, selected to reflect the structural diversity of farms in the region. The collected data were analysed comparatively in order to identify the main trends and perceptions regarding the effectiveness of support instruments and the difficulties encountered in relation to the financing institution.
The results indicate that direct payments represent the main form of support accessed, perceived as essential for maintaining agricultural activity and ensuring income stability. Financial assistance is regarded as having positive effects on productivity, investment capacity, and the economic resilience of farms. The funds are primarily directed toward expanding cultivated areas, covering operational costs, and modernizing the technical base. At the same time, several major constraints were identified, including procedural complexity, inadequate access to information, and limited advisory support - aspects that may undermine the effectiveness of public interventions. From a social perspective, the support provided helps maintain agricultural activities and reduces the risk of farm abandonment. However, sustainable practices and agri-environmental measures are applied unevenly, influenced by administrative complexity and the low attractiveness of existing incentives.
The conclusions highlight the need to simplify administrative procedures, strengthen the agricultural advisory system, and adapt support schemes to the specific needs of small and medium-sized farms. The results provide empirical evidence to inform regional-level agricultural policies aimed at enhancing efficiency, equity, and sustainability.