The role of agricultural engineers in sustainable rural development in SEE (South Eastern Europe) countries

Rural areas, especially in developing countries, are facing with numerous social, economical, cultural and environmental problems. In the most cases there is a growing concern because only very few farmers or inhabitants are able to follow contemporary, sustainable and environment-friendly methods in farming systems. The consequences of this are numerous, such as: poverty, significant migration to urban areas and unplanned suburban settlements. This has a significant impact on the national economy, demography, and environment. The Association of Agricultural Engineering in South Eastern Europe (AESEE), recently have dealt with these significant problems of the rural communities of their region and herewith emphasized the role of agricultural engineers in overcoming the problems and providing applicable solutions for a sustainable rural development