USAMV Bucharest launches a center of excellence for agriculture and climate neutrality

The University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest has signed the financing contract for the AgroCliN Center of Excellence, a strategic project aimed at accelerating the transition of Romanian agriculture towards climate neutrality, with farmers and the research community as direct beneficiaries. According to the institution, the project aims to create a national framework of excellence for the development and testing of scientific and technological solutions that strengthen the role of agriculture both in ensuring food security and in the European climate transition.

• Financing and strategic objectives

The contract was signed with UEFISCDI within the framework of the National Research, Development and Innovation Plan 2022-2027 (PNCDI IV), through the Challenges Program - Partnerships for the Strategic Agenda Subprogram. The project will be implemented in the period 2026-2030, has a total budget of 85.9 million lei and involves over 300 researchers. "AgroCliN reflects a paradigm shift: agriculture is no longer just an economic sector, but is becoming an essential pillar of climate neutrality and societal resilience,” said Sorin Mihai Cîmpeanu, the project director.

• National research consortium

The project brings together an interdisciplinary consortium formed by universities and research institutes, including: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca; University of Bucharest; ICECHIM Bucharest; ICPA Bucharest; INCDFM. According to the university's press release, the project addresses areas such as bioeconomy, natural resources, biodiversity and the environment in an integrated manner, contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy. Research will support the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, including precision agriculture and organic farming, with benefits such as: increasing carbon sequestration capacity; optimizing nutrient management; reducing emissions; improving the quality of water resources.

AgroCliN aims to strengthen the links between academia, the economic sector and decision-makers, contributing to the objectives of the National Strategy for Research, Innovation and Smart Specialization 2022-2027.