In the current social, economic, natural and geopolitical context, there is an acute need for research on professional and entrepreneurial skills in line with the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly changing global economy. The aim of this study was to determine the skills required by employees and entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector. This research study consisted of interviews, questionnaires and focus groups on a sample of 111 employers, 288 students and 139 teachers from the North-East Development Region of Romania. The most important skills needed by higher education graduates in the agri-food sector were communication, learning and social skills, with values of 90.5, 74.3 and 70.6 points, respectively. The least appreciated skills were cultural, linguistic and mathematical skills, with values of 17.5, 36.9 and 43.8 points. For developing and running an entrepreneurial activity, the subjects appreciated communication (91.0 points), as in the case of employment-related skills, followed by economic skills (81.4 points) and learning skills (75.4 points). Additional efforts are needed to increase the relevance of practical activities in correlation with the skills required by the market, and it is necessary to strengthen the current partnerships and create new partnerships between universities and the economic environment by employing public and research entities.

The greatest challenge for Romania’s food industry is to achieve technical and economic parity with the rest of Europe. Therefore, businesses require productive employees, and labor productivity depends on employee satisfaction. This study’s primary objective was to investigate employee satisfaction in the bakery industry in order to enhance economic performance. This topic is rarely researched, but it is necessary to enhance the economic performance and work processes of this industry. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods were used, including an online questionnaire survey of 254 employees and a focus group meeting with 17 managers from 60 companies in the Northeast and Southeast regions of Romania. Total pay (5.3 points on a 1–7-point scale), amount of work (4.9 points), and number of working hours (4.8 points) were the top motivators. The average weighted value for job satisfaction on a scale of 100 points was 27.4 points. The relationship between labor costs and employee satisfaction was strong. Low levels of satisfaction are costlier for employers than high levels of satisfaction. The originality of this study lies in its determination of how strongly employees perceive each aspect of job satisfaction and its correlation to the economic performance of companies.

Over the past years, increasing attention has been drawn to the adverse effects of agricultural pesticide use on pollinators, with honeybees being especially vulnerable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of residues detectable and/or quantifiable of neonicotinoid pesticides and other pesticides in biological materials (bees, bee brood, etc.) and beehive products (honey, pollen, etc.) applied as seed dressings in rapeseed and sunflower plants in two growing seasons (2020–2021) in fields located in three agro-climatic regions in Romania. The study involved the comparative sampling of hive products (honey, pollen, adult bees, and brood) from experimental and control apiaries, followed by pesticide residue analysis in an accredited laboratory (Primoris) using validated chromatographic techniques (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS). Toxicological analyses of 96 samples, including bees, bee brood, honey, and pollen, confirmed the presence of residues in 46 samples, including 10 bee samples, 10 bee brood samples, 18 honey samples, and 8 pollen bread samples. The mean pesticide residue concentrations detected in hive products were 0.032 mg/kg in honey, 0.061 mg/kg in pollen, 0.167 mg/kg in bees, and 0.371 mg/kg in bee brood. The results highlight the exposure of honeybee colonies to multiple sources of pesticide residue contamination, under conditions where legal recommendations for the controlled application of agricultural treatments are not followed. The study provides relevant evidence for strengthening the risk assessment framework and underscores the need for adopting stricter monitoring and regulatory measures to ensure the protection of honeybee colony health.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the development and fluctuation of basic food prices in traditional markets in Jakarta before and during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The study used performance reports from the Indonesian Central Statistical Institute (BPS), National Center for Food Price Information (PHPI), various government agencies, the latest news from reliable online media, and similar studies. The scope of the research focused on the development of basic food prices in traditional markets from January 2019 to May 2021 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The basic food prices discussed in this study were shallots, rice, red chili, and garlic. Results showed that, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the price fluctuations of shallots in the traditional markets of Jakarta was not significant. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rice prices remained stable due to the government's welfare program. The price of red chili in traditional markets tended to decrease due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 pandemic caused fluctuations in garlic prices in traditional markets in Jakarta, and this was because garlic imports from China faced logistical difficulties.

This research examines the relationship between the current profile of agricultural practitioners and the emerging characteristics of future practitioners, as well as identifying the implications of this relationship for adapting marketing strategies in agricultural innovation. Methodologically, a sequential mixed-methods design was used, combining a literature review, semi-structured interviews with students in the agricultural field, a questionnaire administered to 172 respondents, and a focus group. The results show that the emerging profile of practitioners reflects a reconfiguration of the decision making associated with current practice, within a more digitalized context. The qualitative analysis and quantitative results indicate that the approach to innovation remains anchored in practical utility. The subjects are interested in validation through testing, clarity of results, credibility of sources, and risk control. They demonstrate openness toward innovative technologies and digitalization for decision making. The focus group confirmed an acceptance of new technologies depends on their utility and their smooth integration into current operations, as well as their validation within credible professional networks. The research highlights that marketing strategies for agricultural innovation must be built around practical demonstrations, profitability, accessible content, and professional validation. For Romanian agriculture, these conclusions support the need for communication strategies that are adapted to the current profile of practitioners and the emerging characteristics of the new generation that is entering the agricultural sector.