The first DIGI-Rangeland National Workshop in Romania was successfully organised by Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania, in collaboration with Ferma Cățean, bringing together livestock farmers managing semi-natural grasslands to introduce the project and explore their perspectives on Digital and Technological Innovations (DTIs) in farming.
The workshop took place alongside the community event “Picnic la Fermă – Toamnă cu bun gust”, creating an open and dynamic environment that combined knowledge exchange with practical demonstration opportunities.
Diverse Participation from Extensive Livestock Systems
A total of 16 participants attended the workshop, representing a broad spectrum of extensive farming systems:
8 dairy cow farmers from Brașov, Covasna and Harghita counties
1 bison breeder serving a niche meat market
2 sheep dairy farmers engaged in traditional cheese production
2 beef cattle farmers managing local breeds in extensive systems
1 veterinarian providing local herd health support
2 agricultural advisors from ADEPT (George Cătean and Laura Chirilă-Pașca)
This diversity ensured a rich and representative discussion of challenges and opportunities in Romanian rangeland systems.
Workshop Structure and Activities
The workshop programme included:
Welcome and participant introductions
Presentation of the DIGI-Rangeland project, including objectives and examples of DTIs
Group discussions structured around three Thematic Areas (TA1–TA3)
Prioritisation of identified challenges and needs
A farm visit and informal exchanges among participants
This participatory approach enabled farmers to openly share their experiences and expectations regarding digital innovation in extensive systems.
Key Insights from Thematic Discussions
Thematic Area 1 (TA1): Farm Management
Participants identified several barriers related to the adoption of DTIs for farm management, including:
High costs of digital tools
Poor or unreliable internet connectivity
Limited time and digital skills
Farmers highlighted the need for:
Affordable and modular tools adapted to small farms
Offline-capable digital solutions
Practical, hands-on training in Romanian
Tools that help reduce administrative workload
Thematic Area 2 (TA2): Grazing Land Use and Sharing
In relation to grazing land management, discussions focused on:
Fragmented land ownership and unclear usage rights
Weak coordination with public authorities
Lack of reliable data on grassland condition
Identified needs included:
Simple pasture maps clarifying usage rights
Mobile or digital coordination platforms
User-friendly grassland monitoring tools
Updated legislative and planning instruments
Thematic Area 3 (TA3): Product Marketing and Ecosystem Services
Marketing and value recognition were also central topics. Farmers reported:
Dependence on intermediaries for market access
Limited digital marketing skills
Complex certification processes
To address these challenges, participants expressed interest in:
Online sales platforms for cooperatives
Social media training tailored to farmers
Simple digital tools supporting product traceability and storytelling
Cross-Cutting Barriers to Digital Adoption
Across all thematic areas, several common barriers to DTI adoption emerged:
High investment costs
Limited or absent internet coverage in rural areas
Lack of technical support and training in local languages
Digital tools not adapted to small-scale farms or available only in English
Conclusions and Next Steps
Despite these challenges, farmers demonstrated strong interest in digital solutions—provided that tools are affordable, simple, adapted to local realities and supported by improved connectivity and advisory services.
Participants emphasised that digital innovation in rangeland systems must be gradual, farmer-led and grounded in local contexts. Technologies should serve practical needs, reduce administrative burden and support sustainable farm management rather than add complexity.
The workshop successfully established a foundation for continued multi-actor engagement in Romania and will inform the next phases of DIGI-Rangeland activities at national and European levels.
