Study regarding the situation of agricultural consultancy in the North–East Region of Romania

The undertaken study aimed to diagnose the situation of agricultural consultancy from the North – East Region of Romania, 12 years after its foundation. For the realization of the study the questionnaires method has been utilized which have been completed by a number of 80 agricultural consultancy specialists from 6 counties in the North – East Region. From the responses analysis, the following aspects emerged. All persons that ensure consultancy develop general activities from all fields of agriculture. There is a shortage of specialists, a person providing services to several thousand farmers. The consultants have benefited from training courses in consultancy, a short period of time, 2-8 weeks, fact that reflects on the services rendered. The local consultancy centres have a precarious endowment (office, computer, telephone), lacking transport means, training rooms, endowment with specific auxiliary means. Between consultancy methods, the biggest share is held by individual office consultancy. Group consultancy, which has the highest efficiency, is done sporadically because of reduced financial means. A lack of interest from local authorities is manifested for consultancy activity. Specialists are unhappy with the level of salaries, reduced training possibilities, high work volume, lack of endowment and transport means, and political interference in the recruitment process.