Volume 11, Issue 3/2011 PRINT ISSN 1844-5640

E-ISSN 2247-3527

SCIENTIFIC PAPERS

SERIES “MANAGEMENT, ECONOMIC

ENGINEERING IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT”
Scientific Papers “Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and
Rural Development“
PRINT ISSN 1844-5640
E-ISSN 2247-3527

Volume 11, Issue 3/2011

Copyright 2011

To be cited : Scientific Papers “Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development“, Volume
11, Issue 3/2011

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EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor in Chief: Prof.Ph.D.Toma Adrian DINU

Executive Editor : Prof.Ph.D. Agatha POPESCU

Members:

Prof.Ph.D.Ioan Nicolae ALECU-University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
Prof.Ph.D. Manea DRAGHICI- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
Prof.Ph.D. Mihai BERCA- University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
Prof. Ph.D. H.C. Miguel Moreno MILLAN – University of Cordoba, Spain
Prof.Ph.D.Doc.Svend RASMUSSEN – University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Prof.Ph.D.Mogens LUND, Institute of Food and Resource Economics, Denmark
Prof.Ph.D.Pascal Anton OLTENACU , Oklahoma State University, United States of America
Prof.Ph.D.Rangesan NARAYANAN , University of Nevada , United States of America
Senior Lecturer Ph.D.,Ove MADSEN, Grinsted Agricultural Academy, Denmark
Ph.D.Patrick ANGEL, US Department of the Interior , Office of Surface Mining Appalachian Regional Office , U.S.A.
Prof.Ph.D.Gerhard MOITZI, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences , Vienna, Austria
Prof.Ph.D.Paolo GAJO, University of Florence , Italy
Prof.Ph.D.Drago CVIJANOVIC , Institute of Agricultural Economics, Serbia
Prof.Ph.D.Nebojsa RALEVIC, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Ph.D.Jonel SUBIC , Institute of Agricultural Economics, Serbia
Associate Professor Ph.D.Zuzana PALKOVA, Slovak University of Agriculture, Slovakia
Acad.Prof.Ph.D.Hab.Pavel MOVILEANU , The Agricultural State University of Moldova ,Republic of Moldova
Senior Lecturer Ph.D.Veronica PRISACARU, The Agricultural State University of Moldova , Republic of Moldova
Senior Lecturer Ph.D. Veronica MOVILEANU, The Agricultural State University of Moldova , Republic of Moldova
Senior Lecturer Ph.D. Mariana DOGA-MIRZAC , Moldova State University, Republic of Moldova
Associate Prof.Ph.D. Rashid SAEED, International Islamic University, Pakistan
Prof.Ph.D.Emilian MERCE, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca , Romania
Prof.Ph.D.Gheorghe MURESAN, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca , Romania
Prof.Ph.D.Nicoleta MATEOC-SIRB, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat, Romania
Prof.Ph.D.Ion DONA, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine , Bucharest , Romania
Senior Lecturer Ph.D. Radu Lucian PANZARU, University of Craiova, Romania
Senior Lecturer Ph.D. Gravrila STEFAN, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Iasi, Romania

Publication Committee :
Dr. Mariana Burcea
Ing.Teodora Popescu
This volume includes the scientific papers of the 11th International Symposium
“ Prospects of Agriculture and Rural Areas in the context of Durable Development” ,
Session “Economy and Agricultural Policies , Rural Development, Rural Tourism,Rural Legislation, Agricultural Extension”
June 2-3, 2011 , Bucharest
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
Scientific Papers Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol 11, Issue 3/2011 ISSN 1844-5640 e-ISSN 2247-3527

CONTENTS

1.AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS: EFFECTS OF

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL PROGRAMME OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Cornelia ALBOIU, Razvan STIRBU....................................................................................5

2.USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AS A WAY TO REDUCE COSTS AND

CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT REGIONAL LEVEL
Silviu BECIU, Victor OLTEANU………………………………………………………...12

3.REPRESENTATIVITY OF ENTERPRISES COOPERATIVES IN STATES OF THE E.U.

27
Florentin BERCU, Marius MICU, Irina IONESCU MĂLĂNCUŞ................................16

4.ECONOMIC TRENDS OF AGRICULTURE IN ROMANIA

Cristina BURGHELEA, Corina – Maria ENE..................................................................20

5.RETROSPECTIVE OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE

CURRENT ECONOMIC CONTEXT
Cristina BURGHELEA, Corina – Maria ENE..................................................................25

6.IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN ROMANIA IN THE

CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Octavian Constantin BURGHELEA, Cristina BURGHELEA…………………………29

7.CONCEPTS OF SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Vergina CHIRIŢESCU, Mihaela KRUZSLICICA, Viorica GAVRILĂ,
Mariana SANDU, Lavinia Lăcrămioara TĂNASE……………………………………...35

8.ASPECTS OF TRANSFORMATION OF SEMI-SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURAL

HOLDINGS IN EFFECTIVE AGRO-TOURISTIC FARMS
Vergina CHIRIŢESCU, Monica TUDOR, Gheorghe SĂVOIU, Sia SĂRARU,
Liana Angela NECULAIE………………………………………………………………...42

9.SUBSIDIES ALLOCATION IN AGRICULTURE AND ITS EFFICIENCY: THE CASE

OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Liliana Cimpoieş…………………………………………………………………………...49

10.IS RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN SLOVENIA REALLY SUSTAINABLE?

Tomaž CUNDER, Matej BEDRAC....................................................................................53

11.THE IMPORTANCE OF ECOMARKETING IN DEVELOPING OF ECOTOURISM IN

ROMANIA
Cristian CUTAŞ, Petrică ŞTEFAN, Silviu GHEORGHE………………………………59

12.DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURISM IN BUZAU COUNTY

Matei-Agathon DAN, Petrică ŞTEFAN, Silviu GHEORGHE………………………….65
13.EVOLUTION OF TOURISM IN S-W OLTENIA REGION
Manea DRĂGHICI, Dragos Ion SMEDESCU…………………………………………..69

14.THE REORGANIZATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANCY SERVICE IN

ROMANIA
Alina DRAGOMIR………………………………………………………………………...75

15.THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANCY IN THE

EDUCATIONAL TRAINING OF ADULTS OF THE ROMANIAN RURAL
ENVIRONMENT
Alina DRAGOMIR………………………………………………………………………...79

16.AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN VISION EUROPEAN COURT OF

AUDITORS
Sabina FUNAR , Claudia IONESCU..................................................................................83

17.STUDY ON THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ROMANIAN FARMERS, AFTER 2007

Ruxandra Maria GAIŢĂ, Camelia MĂNESCU, Lucian MORARIU, Andreea RADU,
Nicoleta MATEOC-SÎRB…………………………………………………………………87

18. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTION OF EMPLOYMENT IN

AGRICULTURE IN ROMANIA AND FRANCE
Ruxandra Maria GAIŢĂ, Camelia MĂNESCU, Diana BLAGA, Miroslav RAICOV,
Miruna DORNEA, Păun Ion OTIMAN.............................................................................91

19.RURAL DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS OF DAMBOVITA COUNTY

Ileana GEORGESCU……………………………………………………………………...95

20.MORPHOLOGY AND MICROSTRUCTURE RELIEF FROM DEPRESSION AGRIJ -

VILLAGE ROMÂNAŞI
Adelaida Cristina HONTUŞ................................................................................................99

21.HYDROSPHERE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES FROM COMPLEX PLANNING

HYDROTECHNICAL CINCIŞ-CERNA
Adelaida Cristina HONTUŞ..............................................................................................104

22.ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN

CALARASI COUNTY , CASE-STUDY OF VILLAGE CUZA VODA
Radu Andrei IOVA, Daniela CREŢU, Dumitra CONSTANTIN……………………..109

23.CAPITALIZATION OF TOURISM POTENTIAL, IN PROTECTED AREAS IN

CALARASI COUNTY
Radu Andrei IOVA, Daniela CREŢU, Dumitra CONSTANTIN .................................113

24.IMPORTANCE OF THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT

OF RURAL AREAS IN THE UPPER DANUBE REGION
Marko JELOČNIK, Velibor POTREBIĆ, Zoran NJEGOVAN………………………119

25.RURAL TOURISM- IMPLICATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMANIAN

VILLAGES
Claudia LEPĂDATU.........................................................................................................125
26.YOUNG PEOPLES’ EXPOSURE TO FARMING IN WESTERN EUROPE: A MEANS
FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA?
Ove MADSEN, Gina FINTINERU……………………………………………………...129

27.NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETING, POTENTIAL FACTOR OF RURAL

DEVELOPMENT
Adriana MAN, Sabina FUNAR………………………………………………………….135

28. CLUJ-NAPOCA INHABITANTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD FOREST FRUITS

CONSUMPTION
Adriana MAN, Sabina FUNAR………………………………………………………….139

29.DURABLE DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMICAL

ACTIVITIES IN THE ROMANIAN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Nicoleta MATEOC-SÎRB, Gheorghe Csaba TOTH, T. MATEOC,
Gheorghe Sebastian SÂRB, Dorina ŢĂRĂU..................................................................143

30.ACCOUNTS ON THE ANALYSIS OF THE INTENSIFICATION PROCESS OF THE

PRODUCTION OF GRAPES IN AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN DEVELOPING
REGIONS OF REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Diana MEMEŢ, Cristina TIMOFTI................................................................................149

31.ESTIMATES ON THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND LEVEL OF

INTENSIFICATION OF CEREALS AND LEGUMINOUS GRAINS (EXCLUDING CORN)
IN THE REGIONAL ASPECT
Diana MEMET...................................................................................................................152

32.BEEKEEPING PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS
Virgiliu MOREI…………………………………………………………………………..155

33.FOOD INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN THE RURAL AREA OF THE REPUBLIC OF

MOLDOVA
Victor MOROZ, Anatolie IGNAT………………………………………………………161

34.OPPORTUNITY FOR LAYING HENS MICRO-FARMS, TO ALLIGN WITH

STANDARDS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Alexandra MUSCĂNESCU……………………………………………………………...165

35.PERSPECTIVES IN ROURAL TOURISM – THE GEOPARK IN BUZAU COUNTY

Raluca NECULA , Diana NECULA…………………………………………………….169

36.ALTERNATIVE ENERGY - REALITIES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE CONTEXT

OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Mihaela PÎRVULESCU, Vergina CHIRIŢESCU, Gheorghe SĂVOIU………………173

37.SOCIO-ECONOMICAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE ROMANIAN RURAL COMMUNITIES

IN THE HILLY AREA OF VRANCEA COUNTY
Andreea Daniela PASCU ..................................................................................................180
38. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DRAFTING OF THE SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR SIRIU MICROREGION
Andreea Daniela PASCU ..................................................................................................186

39.THE PARTICULARITIES OF ECONOMY IN POLAND

Daniela POPA.....................................................................................................................190

40.STUDIES REGARDING THE CERTIFICATION OF AGROTOURIST GUESTHOUSES

AND FARMS IN GREAT BRITAIN
Liliana POPESCU, Elisabeta SIMA, Romeo Cătălin CREŢU………………………..194

41.THE MULTI-FACTORIAL REGRESSION MODELS FOR STUDYING THE

ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF LAND CONSOLIDATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF
MOLDOVA
Anatol RACUL, Dragoş CIMPOIEŞ……………………………………………………200

42.STRATEGY FOR THE DANUBE REGION - CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING THE

CONDITIONS OF LIFE AND WORK OF ALL CITIZENS OF THE LOWER DANUBE
REGION
Cristiana SÎRBU.................................................................................................................207

43.STUDIES CONCERNING POSSIBILITY ACCOUNT REGARDING THE RURAL

TOURISM AND THE EQUESTRIAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA
Petrică ŞTEFAN, Matei-Agathon DAN, Dragoş RĂDUCAN.......................................213

44.THE ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES’

LEGISLATION PROVISIONS REGARDING RURAL TOURISM
Petrică ŞTEFAN, Carmen MORARU, Dragoş RĂDUCAN.........................................217

45.COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN TOURISM AND RURAL TOURISM DURING

ECONOMIC CRISIS (2008-2010)
Maria STOIAN…………………………………………………………………………...221

46.MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: THE REGIONAL

PERSPECTIVE
Paula STOICEA, Maria STOIAN....................................................................................224

47.IMPLEMENTATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF THE COUNTY

OFFICE OF PAYMENTS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FISHING (COPRDF)
FROM ARAD COUNTY
Dorina ŢĂRĂU, Nicoleta MATEOC-SÎRB, Camelia MĂNESCU, Cristian CÂMPAN,
Cristian MATIAS………………………………………………………………………..228

48.STUDY ON INCREASING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN THE REGIONAL

ASPECT
Elena TIMOFTI, Maria COJOCARU………………………………………………….234

49.FEATURES OF REALISATION OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL INTEGRATION IN

MOLDOVA
Ludmila TODOROVA…………………………………………………………………...237
50.RESIZING OF REAL LABOUR FORCE IN RURAL AREAS IN THE CONTEXT OF
OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY.ROMANIAN CASE STUDY
Monica Mihaela TUDOR………………………………………………………………...241

51.IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGROTOURISM IN THE NEAMŢ

COUNTY - ROMANIA
Nicolae-Gabriel URSUIANU, Manea DRĂGHICI.........................................................246

52.TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS REGARDING ANIMAL BREEDING WITH MAJOR

IMPACT IN RURAL TOURISM – STUDY REALISED IN VAIDEENI, CORBENI, RUCAR
AND DOMNESTI VILLAGES
Iulian VLAD, Cristina (NEGRE) PÎRVULEŢ, Marius MAFTEI,
Gheorghe SĂVOIU, Mirela STANCIU, Andi FIŢA.......................................................250
Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol.11, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN 1844-5640
AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS:
EFFECTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL PROGRAMME
OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Cornelia ALBOIU 1, Razvan STIRBU 2
1
Institute of Agricultural Economics, Calea 13 Septembrie nr.13, sector5, Bucharest, phone/fax:
+40213182411; e-mail:coraalboiu@yahoo.com,
2
Faculty of Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development,
Bucharest, phone/fax:0040744647410; e-mail:rstirbu@wandoo.fr

Corresponding author: coraalboiu @yahoo.com

Abstract

The paper makes an analysis of the business and rural development in Romania investigating the level of fund
absorption from the rural development program mainly from Axis 1 and axis3. To compare the two axes we used a
set of socio-economic indicators which were used in order to compare the measures belonging of these axes. The
paper uses comparative analysis to asses the level of fund absorption for each measure. The results highlight the
need and support for structural change and rural diversification. The conclusion suggests that for a better
improvement of fund using there is a need for a better balance between different measures within the axis when
projects are submitted and contracted, more facilities in terms of eligibility criteria and more information and
awareness among farmers and local administration, improved access to credit.

Keywords: business and rural development, fund absorption

INTRODUCTION implementation of the program. The main

research questions of this paper are:
The purpose of this paper is to identify the 1) to what extent the projects submitted by
stage of the rural development program type of measures dedicated to agriculture,
(RDP) at its mid-term implementation in rural services improvement and business
terms of services improvement and business development reached the optimum level of
development in rural areas, and it suggests absorption at the moment?
guidelines for improvement based on the 2) to what extent the level of the
current problems (weaknesses and entrepreneurial activity has increased
constraints). It mainly focuses on Axis 1 and following the implementation of the program
Axis 3, more exactly on those measures (axis 1 and axis 3)
belonging to the two axes. In this regard, a set 3) to what extent the level of off-farm
of indicators are presented in order to reflect diversification has increased
the current situation following the half The motivation in choosing these two axes
implementation of the RDP which in turn may was determined by the fact that the measures
allow for a better allocation and are extremely representative for the future
intensification of the rest of the RDP funds. agricultural and rural development of
The paper is organized as follows: section 1 Romania.
presents the main motivation of this paper and
the research questions, section 2 gives a MATERIAL AND METHODS
review of literature in the field and develops Romanian agriculture and rural development
on methodology, section 3 undertakes an were exposed to the challenges of EU market
analysis of agricultural and business integration.
development in the rural areas based on a set Issues related to agricultural and rural
of indicators and makes a review of the rural development are vastly debated and there is a
development program and section 4 concludes large literature dealing with these aspects.
and suggests further improvement in the
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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol.11, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN 1844-5640
Nevertheless, the situation regarding the In order to analyze the rural development
impact of rural development program on program we used case study methodology
agriculture and business/rural development in including a set of indicators specific for each
Romania is still a subject of interest for axis of the program. Due to space limitation
researchers and stakeholders. and the level and priorities of rural
Mateoc-Sirb et al. (2009) presents an analysis development program, we shall mainly focus
which depicts the indicators of economic on axes 1 and 3. In addition to this, an
development at regional level for a better analysis of the general agricultural
allocation of rural development funds. The characteristics of the country is made. The
authors suggest several variants for the main indicators we will examine are meant to
delimitation of development regions that describe the agricultural situation in Romania
should respect, to a certain extent, the NUTS and the business development. Axes 1 and 3
criteria established by the European Union of the rural development program will be
while taking into consideration the historical reviewed using comparative analysis.
regions of Romania, and enable the design Following this review, the paper highlights
and implementation of regional development the differences in the program priorities, the
policy according to the specific conditions of level of funds absorption so far and the
each region. challenges ahead until the end of the rural
Lepadatu and Iurchevici (2009) assert that the development program.
sustainable development represents a The main indicators characterizing the
modality of economic efficiency growth and agricultural situation in Romania will mainly
increases the competitiveness of Romanian focus on average farm size, holdings as
agricultural households. Their paper presents percent of agricultural land and percent of
aspects of sustainable development in the agricultural employment. The indicators
agricultural sector and proposes a system of characterizing the business development will
indicators on monitoring the impact on the reflect mainly an average of the new business
farm activities with regard to environment. creation, investments per capita. As far as
Cretu et all (2009) present the results of a Axis 1 and Axis 3 are concerned, we shall
project with regard to the development of mainly focus on specific measures, trying to
agricultural spirit by leadership, whose aim see the allocation committed so far, the
was to increase the managerial capacities of the number of applicants and the percentage of
target group in the field of business money already paid from the allocation
development. Borlovan et all. (2010) make an committed for 2007-2013.
analysis of the role of public administration in
rural development through the European Funds, RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
drawing attention on the most important Agriculture and rural area still play an
measures where rural development can play a important role in the Romanian economy. In
key role, either as promoter or support actions Romania, the gross value added in GDP
(information, partnership) to obtain additional represented 6.6% in 2009. The percentage of
funding from other programs such as Sectoral the population employed in agriculture
Operational Programs. represents 27.6%. Although these indicators
In this paper we have tried to use a specific set are much higher in comparison with the EU,
of indicators regarding the rural development the importance of the primary sector is under
program in Romania in order to compare the decline. The value of agricultural production
program priorities mainly under axis I and III. in Romania features very high volatility and is
Similar approaches were used by Lowe et al. very much dependent on weather conditions.
(2002) who investigated the possibility to In 2009, the share of crop production
relocate a proportion of farmers’ direct represented 60.3% while the livestock
payments towards the Second Pillar of the CAP production was 39.6%. Production
in the UK and France according to their stabilization might be obtained by increasing
national agricultural agenda and rural priorities.
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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol.11, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN 1844-5640
the number of the new technologies used in An interesting consideration, which is
agriculture and by increasing the percentage partially in contrast with the definition of
of animal breeding. subsistence given by Todaro (2006), is that
the Romanian subsistence food production is
Table 1: Indicators characterizing the agricultural
situation in Romania, 2007
not limited to staple crops or nutritious food,
Romania but is also relevant for complex food products
Average farm size Managed land as % Agricultural such as wine and spirits, cheese and cured
ha of total agricultural employment meat. This particular area in subsistence
land % agriculture is household food processing,
Individual legal individual legal national where households manufacture their own
entities entities level products, through bioprocesses that have a
2.3 270.5 65% 35% 27.6 certain level of technology and technical
Source: Calculations based on Farm Structure Survey 2007
knowledge. In fact, this kind of household can
The individual farm size in Romania be considered as a form of "subsistence food
represents 2.3 ha, while for legal entities it is firm", having a larger interference with the
270.5 ha. The national average farm size is food production market, since the members of
3.5ha. At national level, 65% of land is the family coming from urban area also prefer
managed by individual farmers and 35% of to obtain these products from relatives rather
land is managed by legal entities. This low than from retailers (Bleahu, 2002).
average hides the disparity between the
agricultural holdings as regards their size, and
18% 23%
a dual or bipolar distribution can be noticed.
Almost 80% of the utilized agricultural area
18%
(UAA) is divided almost equally between two 22%
categories: a very large group (80% of total 19%

holdings), consisting of low-sized farms, Milk processing

under 5 ha and a very small group of holdings Fruits and vegetable processing
over 50 ha of size (13,830, which operate Grapes processing
40% of UAA). The remaining 20% of UAA is Trade
operated by an intermediary segment, Other activities
represented by holdings of 5 to 50 ha, which
Fig. 1. Non-agricultural activities carried out at national
is lower compared to other EU countries and level in Romania
this segment needs to be developed.
Table 2 presents the level of non-agricultural At Romanian national level, milk processing
activities carried out by households in is the main non-agricultural activity (23%),
Romania. As it can be seen, 37% of followed by fruit and vegetables processing
agricultural households carry out non- (22%), grapes processing 19%, trade 18%,
agricultural activities: the entrepreneurship and other activities (Figure 1).
degree of individual households is much
higher, i.e. 37%, and it is only 30% in the case Review of Axis 1 and Axis 3 of RDP in
of legal entities (Table 2). Romania
The food industry in Romania already
Table 2: Non-agricultural activities carried out by
individual and legal entities experienced small growth increases. However,
Households that carry Romanian agriculture is characterized by poor
out non-agricultural Individual Legal Total agricultural infrastructure, weak farm structures,
activities very fragmented land ownership and low
Number of households 1598600 5526 1604126 investments in new technology. In this regard,
% of total number – the RDP objectives are to improve the
national level 37% 30% 37%
Source: Eurostat, Farm Structure Survey 2007,
competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry
Romanian National Institute for Statistics sector, to improve the environment, the

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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol.11, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN 1844-5640
countryside and the quality of life in rural The total allocation for Axis 1 represents
areas and encourage diversification of 4.024 mil euro. Romania absorbed only 11%
economic activity. In order to achieve these of the financial allocation for setting up young
goals Romania dedicated 43% of RDP funds farmers. Table 2 also reveals that until July
for Axis1, yet the percentage is different in 2010, in Romania there were no projects
the case of Axis 2 and Axis 3 (Figure 3). This submitted under measure 125 “Improving and
means that Romania gives more importance to developing infrastructure related to the
wider rural development in terms of financial development and adaptation of agriculture and
allocation of RDP. This might be also in line forestry“although the Water Users’
with the level of agriculture development, Association should have used this opportunity
level of biodiversity, and population and and apply for improving the irrigation system.
income disparities in the country. As regards measure 141 “semi-subsistence
Financial allocation RDP
farms” we can notice that semi-subsistence
farms represent 10% of total financial uptake.
60 43 Measures 121 and 123 were very successful in
40 25 26 Romania in terms of financial uptake, with
20 2 4
0
52% and 47% respectively of money
Axis 1 Axis 4 absorbed. However, one can notice that only
1524 of contracts were signed under measure
121. That means that only a smaller number
RO
of farmers in Romania were modernizing their
Fig. 3. RDP budget allocation in Romania agricultural households but they were using a
larger percentage of money (either by buying
As regards Axis 1, Romania opened so far 6 expensive technology or by making very large
measures respectively (measure investments), which leads to the conclusion
112,121,123,125, 141 and 142). Nevertheless, that this situation is quite disproportionate
the number of projects submitted up to because it does not reach the mass of farms.
present, under measure 142 “ Setting up For measure 123” Adding value to
producers’ groups” there were only 9 agricultural and forestry products” the
applications submitted and out of these only 3 financial uptake is quite high and also the
contracts were signed, representing less than number of contracts signed is higher. This
1% of the allocation committed for this measure could contribute to increasing the
measure (Table 3). It seems that association is value added of agricultural produce.
still a very difficult issue among Romanian The table below presents the number of
farmers related to past experience and bad applications and the contracts signed
history. including the percentage of financial
Table 3: Applications submitted, contracts signed and absorption until July 2010 under Axis 3, in
% of financial absorption by measures, Axis 1 both countries.
No of The The amount % of money
applications number of of paid from Table 4: Applications submitted, contracts signed and
submitted contracts allocation allocation % of financial absorption by measures, Axis 3
and signed paid 2007- committed No of Number The amount % of already
selected) 2007-2010 2010 for 2007- applications of of allocation paid money
2013 submitted contracts paid 2007- from
AX 1 11446 10148 1125251733 28% 2010 signed 2010 allocation
(received 2007- committed
112 2809 1758 37105035 11%
and 2010 for 2007-
121 1591 1524 528301601 52% selected) 2013
123 784 717 513658386 47% AX 3 2124 1310 1036862517 42%
125 0% 312 904 529 73690791 19%
141 6262 6146 46095000 10% 313 634 454 80379883 15%
142 3 91711 0.07% 322 586 327 882791843 56%
Source: calculations based on data from the Paying Source: calculations based on data from the Paying
Agency in Romania Agency in Romania

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ISSN 1844-5640
The total allocation for Axis 3 represents row materials supply and many times they
2.473 mil euro for Romania. Table 4 reveals have to resort to imports.
the level of absorption of funds for this axis.
So far, Romania absorbed 42% of funds of Table 6: The level of investments and the number of
expected jobs created in Romania
this axis. The highest proportion of financial Measure Investments SAPARD experience Expected
uptake in Romania, i.e 56%, is under measure Mil Euro regarding the creation new jobs
of new jobs per 1 mil
322 “Village renewal and development, Euro invested
improvement of basic services for the 121 1.349 25 33725
economy and rural population, conservation 123 2142 50 107100
312 1060 20 21200
and upgrading the rural heritage”. The support 313 76 20 3520
for the creation and development of micro- 322 1566 5 7830
Total 6293 Na 173375
enterprises under measure 312 is also quite Source: based on RDP in Romania
high in Romania, respectively 19%. Table 5
presents the level of the total public Overall, the job creation expectations are
expenditure per axis in Romania. It must be quite low compared to the need of jobs. The
specified that in Romania there are 3.8 mil creation or maintenance of about 170000 jobs
individual households which are not eligible is not a large number compared to the
for subsidies, which otherwise will expected loss of jobs from 2.6 million in 2004
significantly diminish this indicator. to 1.5 million in 2013.
In Romania, it is also expected that the
Table 5: RDP 2007-2013 total public expenditure per investments will contribute to safeguard the
unit in Romania
existing jobs and to create new jobs, but based
Indicator
on the experiences from the past and present
Axis 1 Total public expenditure, EUR per eligible farm 3610
Axis 2 Total public expenditure, EUR per UAA hectare 247
programs, one cannot expect high numbers of
Axis 3 Total public expenditure, EUR per rural inhabitant 256
jobs from this side. The figures in table 6
Axis 4 Total public expenditure, EUR per rural inhabitant 24
outline the tendencies to be experienced in
Source: based on RDP in Romania Romania and based on the experience of other
New Member States, and similar to what the
In total public expenditure, the funding per Old Member States have experienced over the
rural inhabitant is quite low in comparison last 50 years: a continuous process of
with other new EU countries. This might be employment diminution in the primary sector
explained by the fact that in Romania the rural and a parallel need to establish new job
population represents 45% of the population, possibilities in other sectors, also in rural
i.e. about 9.4 mil inhabitants. At the same areas. As shown by the results of different
time the financial allocation for Axis 3 in surveys, the main issues in Romanian
Romania balances the amount for this agriculture are: a very large sector of
indicator. subsistence and semi/subsistence agriculture
As regards the diversification level and the (made up of small individual holdings),
number of new jobs created in Romania, it is poorly equipped, with a relatively low yield,
expected that about 175000 new jobs will be making an incomplete use of the resources,
created mainly in the processing sector and work and using most of the production for
the creation of new micro-enterprises, which their own consumption. This situation is
can lead to an improvement of income counterweighted by the large commercial
diversification and business development by holdings, made up of concessional or rented
carrying out non-agricultural activities. plots (covering more than half of the area),
However, there is a strong need for which are relatively well equipped, with high
investments in production activities especially yields, but which still do not use the land to its
in milk producing and fruits and vegetable true potential.
production as many processing companies The level of investments so far shows that
resulted following SAPARD or RDP there is a need to modernize and raise the
investments are confronted with shortages on efficiency of the existing farms according to
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EU standards. Also, there is a need for rural within the axis when projects are submitted
credit cooperatives to help co-finance the and contracted, more facilities in terms of
businesses in agriculture which are eligible eligibility criteria and more information and
and can benefit from the RDP financing. awareness among farmers and local
administration, including improved access to
CONCLUSIONS
credit. In terms of new business creation, the
The comparison of the agricultural sector expected results are quite important in
indicators and of the rural development Romania, which is confronted with a large
program is mainly focused on Axis 1 and number of rural populations. However, older
Axis 3. There is a certain degree of farmers are unwilling to withdraw from
development of entrepreneurial activities on agriculture, as this activity is the main income
agricultural households in Romania, but the source for them.
entrepreneurial spirit is still low. The level of In this way there is a need to make changes
entrepreneurial spirit is incipient and is both in the production and market structure of
mainly focused on processing of agricultural the Romanian agriculture and business
products. In this context, it might be noticed development sector in order to overcome low
that the financial allocation of the rural price competitiveness, and lack of supply of
development program in Romania gives more row material, and marketing competitiveness
importance to Axis 3, respectively to wider and fairness.
rural development aspects. Another recommendation is to increase the
Concerning Axis 1, it seems that there is an number of farms and agri-food units eligible
unbalanced situation among the relative small for RDP funds. Rural area development and
number of farms who made extremely large land consolidation could be aided by a
investments in Romania. A better balance also pension supplement for those above
seems necessary between the financial retirement age, who agree to release their land
absorption for investments on agricultural to allow an accelerated restructuring of the
households (Measure 121) and the financial sector or taxes imposing. The development of
investments in processing (Measure 123). The infrastructure, development of human
financial absorption for setting up young resources, improving the access to markets
farmers is not very high which does not open and competitiveness of products are other key
up a better perspective for our country in elements in rural area development. An
terms of the long run development of the important aim is also encouraging the
sector. domestic investments in small and medium
It should be mentioned that in Romania, the sized production and processing firms situated
measure on producers’ groups has been in rural areas but taking into account the
almost unsuccessful so far, because only three balance between demand and supply of row
contracts were signed with a financial material. Also, there is a need for an increase
absorption of less than 1%. At the same time, of the number of investments and not the
the lack of success of measure 142 with the volume of the investments following a step by
Romanian farmers can be also explained by step strategy within farms and processing
the farmers’ reluctance to cooperate. As companies.
regards Axis 3, Romania has a quite good rate
of funds absorption, i.e. 42%. This represents
quite a satisfactory absorption rate in our REFERENCES
country.
As one could see, at the mid-term [1] Bleahu A, Janowski M. (2002) Rural Non-Farm
implementation of the program, there are Livelihood Activities in Romania: A Report on
several challenges and priorities ahead. To Qualitative Fieldwork in two Communities
[2] Borlovan I., Sambotin L., Coroian L., (2010) Role
further support structural change and rural of public administration in rural development through
diversification, the key aspects for support are the European funds in Management of durable rural
a better balance between different measures development”, Agroprint Publishing House, Timisoara
10
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[3] Cretu D., Iova R., Neagu C., Dumitra C., (2009)
Development of Agricultural spirit by leadership in the
Competitiveness of Romanian Agriculture in the
European Integration Process, Ars Acdemica,
Bucharest
[4] Lepadatu C., L. Iurchevici (2009), Environmental
Impact Analysis on the sustainable development of
agricultural holding in the Competitiveness of
Romanian Agriculture in the European Integration
Process, Ars Acdemica, Bucharest
[5] Mateoc-Sirb (2009) The importance of Regions in
the Regional Development Policy of the European
Union in Agricultural Economics and Rural
Development, Ed. Academiei Romane
[6] Todaro Michael P., Smith Stephen, (2006),
Economic Development – Pearson Education Limited
[7] xxx. Rural Development Program in Romania:
www.maap.ro
[8] xxx. Rural Development Program in Lithuania:
www.kaimotinklas.lt
[9] xxx. Other gainful activities: pluriactivity and farm
diversification in EU-27; European Commission,
Directorate-General For Agriculture And Rural
Development
Directorate G. Economic analysis, perspectives and
evaluation, G.2. Economic analysis of EU agriculture,
Brussels, June 2008, LTB D(2008) 17488

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USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AS A WAY TO REDUCE COSTS AND
CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT REGIONAL
LEVEL

Silviu BECIU1, Victor OLTEANU2

1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, 59 Marasti, sector 1,
011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40, 0723165907, Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail:
beciu_silviu@yahoo.com
2
Institute of Research and Development for Agrarian Economy Bucharest, street Marasti no 61,
sector 1, CP 011464 Romania, E-mail: olteanu.victor@yahoo.com

Corresponding author : beciu_silviu@yahoo.com

Abstract

Gradual but irreversible, exhaustion of fossil fuels existing on earth makes renewable energy, potential energy
derived from resources such as water, wind, solar, biomass and ocean energy, to become the alternative to create
new ways to implement an sustainable development, improving living standards and creating energy independence.
Increasingly more countries began to adopt policies to encourage use of renewable energy sources and measures of
their production for use as large scale. Since 2007 was approved by Romania's energy strategy for 2007-2020
which aims to meet the energy needs both now and in the medium and long term, at a price as low as suitable for a
modern economy market and a high living standard in terms of quality, security of supply, while respecting the
principles of sustainable development. Starting from this premise, in this article we try to develop a green energy
profile, suitable for North-Eastern region of Romania that will complement ongoing efforts to create a regional
sustainable development policy.

Keywords: clean energy sources, energy independence

INTRODUCTION In Romania, the first steps towards alignment

with the european standards regarding
To understand the concept of renewable implementation and use of green energy has
energy and the need to implement an been made with the approval of government
alternative system of production, which have decisions "Decision on the approval of
to be complementary to the traditional and Romania's energy strategy for 2007-2020"
have to replace it gradualy in the near future, which has the following main objective: „The
we start from the definition of renewable overall objective of the energy sector strategy
energy: ”Renewable energy refers to the is to meet energy needs both now and in the
energy which comes from natural resources medium and long term, at a price as low as
such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and suitable for a modern market economy and a
geothermal heat, which are renewable high living standard in terms of quality, safety
(naturally replenished)” [1]. Given the current the food with the principles of sustainable
situation in which non-renewable fuel prices development”. [2]
have nearly doubled in the last two years,
their physical limitations, high pollution MATERIAL AND METHODS
levels resulting from the extraction process
and not least their use, lead us to think of One of the most viable alternatives to
search of alternatives for energy needs. The conventional energy, which we have at our
first attempts to use alternative energy "green disposal, and energy is generated by the
energy" dates from the early twentieth Earth's crust known as "geo-exchange 'and
century, and since then due to technological ensure the transfer of heat into the soil and
expansion and increase awareness on from the soil. Many people associate this type
alternatives, it had a far upward development. of energy geysers or volcanic activity, but in
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practice it with a more modest, by Functioning of Geo-Exchange systems. The
withdrawing or introducing heat in the Earth's system is composed of a loop of high density
crust through various processes, such as: polyurethane pipe buried in the ground
- Extracting horizontal level, 1.5 - 2 m depth; vertically or horizontally, depending on the
- Vertical extraction at 10-250 m depth; type of elected assembly, through which a
- Energy piles at 5 – 45 m depth; liquid (organic antifreeze or salt water) allows
To achieve these processes are used from heat the exchange of heat. The closed loop systems
pumps. A heat pump is a heating and / or are more used than open loop systems because
cooling using heat stored in the earth to heat they can be installed almost anywhere. In the
or cooling the houses. closed loop systems the fluid from inside
never comes in contact with the environment
and this type have a continuous ground loop.
Installation types:
Horizontal closed loop system.The
horizontal loop installation is with a few
exceptions, the most economic. Horizontal
loops can be used for newly constructed
homes or also for commercial buildings. A
horizontal system is using a number of
trenches, in which the piping can be
configured as following: a simple one, made
from a single pipe; or more complex, that are
Photo 1: Geo-exchange heating system[3] made from multiple pipes disposed in a
narrow or wider trench.
They transfer heat from the ground in winter Foto 3 [5]
home, and vice versa in summer transfer takes
place from the house toward land. Unlike a
boiler, a heat pump transfers heat, not produce
it. Heat pumps are known as geo-exchange
systems and should not be confused with
geothermal heating, possible only in areas
where the ground due to hot steamy
underground hot springs.

Vertical closed loop system: It is used when

the land area available is limited, and a
vertical loop may be installed for the
geothermal piping. This system is also
efficient when the land is too rocky.
Foto 4 [6]

Photo 2: SYSTEM Aqua Gen Kollektor used in heat

pump that uses flat-type collectors STIEBEL-Eltron [4]

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Even vertical loops are more expensive than temperature in the ground at few feet deep is
horizontal loops, they are considerably less fairly constant throughout the year. Starting
complicated and less piping is also required from the principle of thermodynamics, heat
because the earth’s temperature is more stable transfer is the meaning of a body with a
at depth. higher temperature to a lower body
temperature and never vice versa.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Advantages and disadvantages that arise in
using the system of heat transfer from / in the
At the regional level must be analyzed and ground are as following: Advantages: does
evaluated the major renewable resources and not require constant maintenance; can be used
existing opportunities to use them. In regions safely; it can be deployed and used anywhere.
where wind or other renewable energy Disadvantages: limiting the capacity to the
sources do not have a high potential, we must installed modules.
take into account the use of geothermal Criteria for system design
energy. As geothermal energy in representing The issues that must be followed in order to
now approximately 1% of the total energy design a geothermal system are: performance,
produced and captured on the Earth and it is reliability, safety in operation, cost efficiency.
considered that the geothermal potential of the It is preferable that the way systems are
planet is about 4000 times global energy designed to be as simple as this helps to
needs, this must be an energy source that reduce defects that may occur during their
should be taken more seriously into account in operation. A larger optimization of these
coming years. systems on one hand aims to minimize
operating costs and on the other side to
compensate for losses in electricity generation
process. Must be taken into account that there
is a pretty big difference between surface
elements and underground system on their
life.
Circulation pump, and some items will require
replacement at the surface two or three times
in the life of the underground installation. The
underground installation will therefore be
forced to use two or three different
generations of pumps (the difference is on the
appearance of new performance models). The
systems are designed so as not in need of
maintenance throughout the life of the plant,
Foto 2 Variation in soil temperature level at the surface therefore it is important for an effective
crust[4] system: the way it is designed,
the way in which checks are carried out
Unlike air pumps, heat pumps are more general quality control, the use of certified
efficient (25-50% less electricity consumption and tested components. To operate the
for heating or cooling), have lower facilities safely be observed in all assembly
maintenance costs, are reliable (25-50 years instructions provided in the manual
beyond warranty periods for the installation of installation and placement of billboards near
earth and 20 years for the pump itself) and not the main system components operating
dependent on outside air temperature. A instructions and information on hazards that
disadvantage is significantly higher may occur.
installation costs compared to an air pump,
but costs are amortized in 5-10 years.
This system is based on the fact that the
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Cost efficiency Development Through The Elaboration Of
Cost Efficiency it refers in this case at cost of SWOT Analysis, As Method Of Strategic
system implementation and functioning with Planning For The North-East Region Of
the lowest price and doing this effectively. Romania”, under a financial scheme
supported by Romanian National Council for
This is very important in the implementation
Scientific Research in Higher Education
of systems but is also a double-edged
(Grant no 114/28.07.2010); Mr. Victor
phenomenon. Cost effectiveness in
Olteanu is voluntary assuring the web page of
implementing of these renewable energy
the project and has contributed to the article
systems means avoiding unnecessary costs,
as Scientific Researcher and PH.D student
not meaning to reduce overall costs by
(Project POS-DRU/88/1.5/S/52614).
reducing the quality of materials used in the
installation, the depths required for proper or
optimal result by passing over certain stages REFERENCES
of the design plan.
[1] Wikipedia, enciclopedia liberă
CONCLUSIONS [2]Monitorul Oficial al României, partea I, nr.
781/19.XI.2007
For large scale use of these systems, it is [3] Foto 1 - http://www.energeia.ro/energie-
necessary in a first stage to promote their geotermala/pompe-caldura/pompe-de-caldura-
facilities and the advantages they possess. geotermale-94/
[4] Foto 2 http://www.climatherm.ro/termice/Sisteme-
Also have to be identified target groups of cu-pompe-de-caldura-97.html
consumers who might use it in a pioneering [5] Foto 3 http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/04/10/bye-bye-
first stage. Also have to be identified the billing-an-italian-example-of-zero-cost-house/
regions in which these systems are most [6] Foto 4 http://blog.4rev.net/2008-07/geothermal-
applicable, namely those areas where the use heat-pump-systems/geothermal-heat-
pump_closed_loop_system_vertical/
of these energy systems is favorable in terms
of cost, compared to other energy systems that
can be used locally and regionally. Each
component of the system is important.
Choosing the right components is needed to
achieve the required efficiency. Using these
unconventional alternative energy systems
will contribute at reducing pollution along
with CO2 emissions and reduce costs by
creating energy independent with a high
degree for homes and other domestic
facilities. For this to happen it is necessary to
combine the energy systems. The degree of
efficiency of such a system increases if is
used in a house well insulated, if is combined
with an under floor heating and cooling
system, the difference in energy required for
heating water or cooling is achieved through a
solar or wind system.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The results are part of the Project “Research

On Actual Size Evaluation And The
Perspective Of Sustainable Rural
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REPRESENTATIVITY OF ENTERPRISES COOPERATIVES IN STATES
OF THE E.U. 27

Florentin BERCU1 , Marius MICU1, Irina IONESCU MĂLĂNCUŞ1

1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 722 15 69 61,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail : florentin_bercu@yahoo.com; micumariusmihai@yahoo.com;
irina_crusgali@yahoo.co.uk

Corresponding author : florentin_bercu@yahoo.com

Abstract

The paper aimed to present the evolution of Cooperatives in 2007 in all the countries of the EU. It is based on the
statistical data provided by the European region of the International Co-operative Alliance. The data have been
processed into the following indicators: the number of cooperatives from E.U., the main sectors of cooperatives
from E.U., the number of members from cooperatives, the employees in E.U. cooperatives has continuously
increased, so that in the year 2007 there are 147.000 cooperatives, 107.000.000 members and 4.300.000 employees
in EU. The figures mentioned are from the 141 direct member organizations of Cooperatives Europe and its 6
European Sector Member Organizations. All EU co-operative member organizations are structured in enterprise
federations and have the capacity to consult their member enterprises. As a conclusion, the importance of
cooperatives is confirmed by the fact that total turnover of EU agriculture in 2007 was 675 billion euro and 38.5%
(260 billion euro) is generated by the cooperative sector.

Keywords: cooperatives, members, employees, evolution, European Union.

INTRODUCTION region of the International Co-operative

Alliance, have been statistically processed and
The cooperatives are a very good example of
interpreted.
type of company which can have in the same
time entreprenorial objectives but also socials
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
ones. Besides about the entrepreneurial
policy, the cooperatives play an important role
The cooperative organizations, I believe that,
in the agricultural economy for the regions
through their principles and their values, like
development; while their structure is ideal for
the voluntary and opened member statut, the
the improvement of the work force and of the
democratic control of the members, the
social cohesion. The cooperatives are, by
economic participation of the members,
definition, autonomous associations of united
autonomy and independence, preparing and
persons voluntarily to accomplish their needs
information classes, the cooperation of the
and economical aspirations, social and
cooperatives, the care about the community
cultural leading together in controlled
are another type of companies with economic
democratic companies.
and social objectives. By the promotion of the
cooperatives it’s respected their immediately
MATERIAL AND METHODS
benefits and it is relying with the important
European policies and objectives especially
In order to characterize the evolution of
cooperatives, the following indicators were by the supplying of the solutions in the
unsatisfied cases economic or social,
used: the number of cooperatives from E.U.,
the main sectors of cooperatives from E.U., especially there where the profitable public
and initiations or private are missing.
the number of members from cooperatives,
The cooperatives have demonstrated that are
the employees in E.U. cooperatives. The
companies that don’t delocalize, and are, in
analyzes in this study are made for the year
the same time, based on the active
2007. The data, collected from The European
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participation of the members, and their intersectoral organizations belonging to 15
experience can provide a truly value by the different countries.
combination of the security with flexibility As the majority of the organizations are
and contributing to the local development in representative organization for co-operatives,
the internalisation era. the data presented refers to the aggregated
The number of cooperatives has continuously total number of individual co-operators,
increased from the beginning of their enterprises and employees that this
appearance when they were isolated cases to organization represents.
147.000 enterprises in the year 2007 in all 27 Table 1. Representative number of cooperatives,
member states of the European Union, as a members and employees in E.U. in 2007(thousand)
result of their efficiency all around the glob. Nr.
Crt. Country Enterprises Members Employees
It is presented when appeared the first form of
cooperative in all countries of the European 1 Austria 1.745 3.168.153 63.884

Union.[1] (fig.1) 2 Belgium 271 1.245.822 15.559

3 Bulgaria 1.368 200.411 23.454
4 Cyprus 760 948.841 4.699
5 Czech Republic 1.423 897.9 67.828
6 Denmark 537 1.966.403 69.400
7 Estonia 8.704 410.004 4.810
8 Finland 471 2.957.410 92.059
9 France 21.200 22.463.782 1.040.545
10 Germany 7.462 21.135.000 530.000
11 Greece 6.480 918.892 12.345
12 Hungary 3.044 977.000 96.500

Fig 1. First appearance of cooperatives in E.U. states 13 Ireland 677 3.189.727 22.669
14 Italy 40.500 11.985.810 968.482
This positive aspect of their growth was 15 Latvia 74 17.33 440
determined by the ability to clearly 16 Lithuania 320 118.728 7.029
differentiate the competition remaining
17 Luxembourg 29 5.067 825
central to effective marketing. And a strong
18 Malta 59 4.652 238
strategy is essential for any organisation
seeking to build robust relationships with 19 Netherlands 731 3.123.000 165.586

stakeholders. 20 Poland 12.320 10.000.000 500.000

The COOP has a clear and powerful statement 21 Portugal 2.944 2.135.000 47.000
about the organisation that uses it. It says: 22 Romania 1.735 822.422 44.688

“This business is different, 23 Slovak

Republic 484 622.188 35.613
this business is built on values,
24 Slovenia 82 18.169 3.234
this business is trustworthy”.[2] 25 Spain 25.891 5.740.162 340.141
In this section the following table contains an 26 Sweden 7.933 3.940.216 101.207
overview of the figures from the 141 direct
27 U. K. 355 8.177.050 89.087
member organizations of Cooperatives
TOTAL 147.599 107.189.139 4.347.322
Europe and its 6 European Sector Member
Organizations in the EU 27. It gives a picture
of the number of co-operative enterprises The cooperatives have the following
(separate legal entities), members and European Sector Member Organizations
employees of these organizations. Out of presented in fig number 2: Agriculture
these 141 organizations, there are 19 (COGECA), Industry & Services (CECOP),
Housing (CECODHAS), Pharmacy (UEPS),
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Banking (GEBC), Consumers (EUROCOP), EURO COOP represents over 3.200 local and
and Insurance (ACME). regional co-operatives, counting for more than
60.000 sales points across Europe; these sales
points range from the local shop (often, the
last remaining store for the community in
certain remote regions of Europe) to
hypermarkets in urban shopping areas. The
number of members amounts to more than 22
million consumers across Europe. [4]
The pharmacies sector is present in 9
countries of the European Union. They
represent around 2.500 pharmacies.
The Insurance sector of cooperatives from
Europe has 57 members in 19 EU countries,
which own over 120 subsidiary companies,
Fig 2. The sectors of cooperatives from Europe (%) underwrite 120million insurance policies, and
employ over 140,000 people in Europe
In the agriculture sector are about 40 000 presented in the figure number 4.
co-operative enterprises employing over
600 000 persons; with 9 million members. [5]
CECOP ’members include 29 national
federations of co-operative and participative
enterprises representing around 60.000
enterprises, 900.000 members, employing 1,3
million workers.[6]
Cooperatives from the Housing sector of
cooperatives which represents 15.140
enterprises, with 5, 6 million members
exposed in the figure number 3 with the
members from other sectors and 38.000 jobs.
Fig 4. Employees in U.E. Cooperatives (%)
[3]
The turnover of the European co-operatives is
around €260 billion, exposed in the figure
number 5 These co-operatives represent over
50% of the shares of the supply of agricultural
inputs and over 60% of shares of the
collection, processing and marketing of
agricultural products Agriculture, the
importance of the sector.
In the EU more than 9 million people work in
agriculture. The majority of them are self-
Fig.3 Members of Cooperatives in U.E.(%)
employed (56%) or family workers (16.5%),
whilst 27.5% have employee status with full-
European banking sector, with their 4.500 time work dominating (80.5%). Women make
banks and 60.000 branches, co-operative up 36% of the total agriculture workforce and
banks are major actors of local development account for 31% of working time. 93.4% of
and range among major employers with more the workforce has a low or intermediate
than 720.000 employees. [7] education level. The majority of enterprises
are small-scale. The agricultural sector
accounts for 14.2% of total EU manufacturing
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output, with €675 billion worth of production.
38.5% of this output is generated by the co-
REFERENCES
operative sector.

[1] “The Role of The Co-operatives in The Social

Dialogue in Europe”, Outcomes of The Social Partner
Program (SPP) – December 2007
[2] http://www.coopseurope.coop
[3] http://www.cecodhas.org
[4] http://www.eurocoop.org
[5] http://www.copa-cogeca.be
[6] http://www.cecop.coop
[7] http://www.eurocoopbanks.coop

Fig 5. Turnover in Bilion Euro in 2007 (%)

CONCLUSIONS

1. The number of cooperatives has

continuously increased until 2007, with a
positive impact upon their members because
of their immediately benefits.
2. One of the reason which made the
cooperatives to develop intensively in all the
countries of the EU is that there are built on
values and trustworthy.
3. The cooperatives cover the sectors most
important for the EU people such as:
Agriculture, Industry &Services, Banking,
Housing, Consumers, Pharmacy and
Insurance.
4. In all EU member states these co-operative
member organizations are structured in
enterprise federations and have the capacity to
consult their member enterprises.
5. From the total turnover of EU agriculture in
2007 (675 billion euro) 38.5% (260 billion
euro) is generated by the cooperative sector.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This article was developed under the project

“Doctoral scholarships to increase the quality of
training young researchers in the field of
agronomy and veterinary medicine” (contract
POSDRU/88/1.5/S/52614), project cofinanced
from European Social Fund by Human Resources
Development Operational Programme 2007-2013
and coordinated by the University of Agronomic
Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest.
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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
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ISSN 1844-5640
ECONOMIC TRENDS OF AGRICULTURE IN ROMANIA
Cristina BURGHELEA1, Corina – Maria ENE1
1
Hyperion University, 169 Calea Calarasilor, Bucharest, Romania, Email:
crystachy@yahoo.com, corina.maria.ene@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the degree of implication of the agricultural sector in the national economy.
Its development highlights once again its increased ability to cope with fierce competition in the specialty market by
offering products that meet quality standards. Agricultural development should follow, therefore, the limits of
endurance and regeneration, the nature of time and space, only in this way, the effect of agricultural production and
purpose of rational use of natural resources, will find expression in raising living standards. Based on the national
plan for agriculture and rural development, by attracting investment in our country, Romania moved to modernize
existing units and the establishment of new units as required by the European Union in an effort to reduce trade
deficit in agriculture.

Corresponding author: crystachy@yahoo.com

Keywords: coherent and cost balance, the dynamics of agricultural production, agricultural economic outlook

INTRODUCTION Final consumption of population (households)

is supported by agriculture both directly,
Agriculture represents for Romania a basic
through agricultural products reach the market
economic activity in view of rich endowment
in the rough, and indirectly through processed
with specific inputs. Thus, at least in the
products of convex branches. Moreover,
medium term, if not run, agriculture will
under a high percentage of rural population,
remain an important branch of the Romanian
agriculture supports most of the self-
economy.
consumption. By integrating into the
Of those totals 23.8 million hectares as
European Union and Common Agricultural
Romania, the country's agricultural area is
Policy, we expect this component of self-
14.7 million hectares (61.7%), of which 9.4
consumption to be reduced significantly
million ha is arable land. In Europe, Romania
increase "visibility in the market of
is ranked as an agricultural area in July (after
agricultural production" and hence its
France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Britain and
contribution to GDP.
Italy) and the arable land in 5th place (after
Romania ranks the first places in the EU on
France, Spain, Germany and Poland).
the possibility of practicing diversified
Favoured by geographical position,
agriculture, with significant potential
proportional relief, favourable climate,
advantages for cultivation, almost entirely of
livestock and crop production have been one
wild plants growing in Europe, as well as
of the main activities of the Romanian people
livestock.
since ancient times. Hundreds and hundreds
In Europe, Romania ranks 6 on agricultural
of years peasantry constituted a major social
land that is per capita arable land on the 5th
force in society, to "boom" urbanization, techs
and 7th place in terms of pasture area (Fig. 1).
and development of industry and services.
The ratio of the country's arable land and
However, concern for the agricultural sector
population means that each assigned to about
the government should not have
0.42 ha per capita arable land, a higher value
underestimated since, and today, make the
of many European countries and almost
food more than 90% of the population and is
double compared to the European average of
the only branch that creates gross primary
0.236 ha per capita.
substance whose value increases about 3 - five
In other news, the restructuring and
times from food processing and light industry.
privatization of land ownership and has had

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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
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ISSN 1844-5640
an impact on the agricultural sector, leading to migration solution for a high income, so that
urban population migration to rural areas and young workforce has suffered.
reinforced the process of returning land to However, the agricultural working population
former owners or their descendants. in Romania is six times higher than the EU
Throughout the transition period, agriculture average, while the share of agriculture in GDP
has played a very important social role, acting is about 11 times higher in our country than in
as a buffer against the effects of occupational Europe. Arguably one of the main problems
socio-economic transition, absorbing a in the Romanian agriculture is an acute
significant part of the labour force of urban shortage of capital.
industries. The main instruments by which government
Arable land per capita in various European countries
can address the market distortions arising are
Countries
tax free (tax) and subsidies. By intervening in
Hungary 0,466

Finland 0,424 agriculture, the government aims: optimizing

Denmark

Bulgaria
0,422

0,42
the correlation between property forms and
Romania 0,42 attributes of ownership, antitrust regulators,
Moldova

Spain 0,334
0,41
relating to prosecution of restrictive practices
Poland 0,326 on entry and exit to / from the market and
France 0,306

Sweden 0,3
monopolies, restrict undesirable effects
Ireland 0,298 created by moral hazard , asymmetric
Greece 0,246

Europe 0,236
information and adverse selection, optimal
Norway 0,193
redistribution of income among the actors in
Albania 0,182

Austria 0,171 agriculture etc.[1].

Portugal 0,158

Germany 0,143

Italy 0,138 MATERIAL AND METHODS

Great Britain 0,095

Belgium 0,083

Switzerland 0,057
In Romania, the share of gross value added in
Netherlands 0,056
agriculture in total GDP has been fluctuating
Iceland 0,024

0 0,05 0,1 0,15 0,2 0,25 0,3 0,35 0,4 0,45 0,5
around a long term downward trend. At the
Ha
beginning of the transition to a market
Source: FAO production Yearbook vol. 57/2008, economy, agriculture represents about one
Statistical yearbook of Romania[7] quarter of Romania's GDP (Fig. 2 and 3).
Fig. 1. Arable land per capita in various European
GDP structure in Romania in 1990
countries

Currently, the question regarding the 23%

Agriculture and Forestry

agricultural sector in Romania is the high Industry

number of subsistence farms. To stimulate the 43% Construction

transformation of peasant households into Transport and
commercial agricultural farms, building and 15%
communications
Trade
strengthening the middle class in rural areas
Other services
were taken to stimulate investment in rural 6%
7%
6%
areas, encouraging their participation and
skills development banks to lend to
Source: Eurostat[6]
agriculture. Fig. 2. GDP structure in Romania in 1990
Moreover, employment in agriculture has a
high degree of aging, characterized by a high
proportion of people aged between 60-70
years with a low power work. With the
opening of borders, many of those working in
agricultural sector especially temporary

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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
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ISSN 1844-5640
GDP structure in Romania in 1996 affected all areas of activity in Romania.
Nationally, agriculture is an important branch
of the Romanian economy.
20% Agriculture and Forestry

Industry
The contribution of agriculture, forestry,
35%

Construction
fisheries in gross domestic product stands at
Transport and
around 6% of GDP and the EU Member
17% communications
Trade
States stands at about 1.7%.
Other services
7%
9%
12% Table 1. Share of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in
GDP ( Ron Million)
GDP 2007 2008 2009 2010*
1.I – 30.VI
Source: Eurostat Agriculture, 23 992.2 34 448.2 30 768 6 911.7
Fig. 3. GDP structure in Romania in 1996 hunting,
forestry,
fisheries
After the first years of the transition period, GDP TOTAL 416 006.8 514 654 491 273.7 211 414.8
% of GDP 5.8 6.7 6.3 3.27
the share of agriculture in GDP decreased to Source: Statistical yearbook of Romania 2009
about 20% of GDP[5].
After a decade of transition, in 2000, amid RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
bad weather, a sudden and significant
development of the service sector and a On the other hand, Romania faced problems
revival of industrial production, due to in the agricultural sector's contribution in
successful privatization, the share of terms of net exports. Including forestry and
agriculture in GDP is reduced to 13%. hunting, the export contribution to the
After a period of sharp economic growth Romanian agriculture is very low: 2.55% in
(2000-2006) the contribution of agriculture to 2001, 1.91% in 2004 and 2.19% in 2006.
the GDP has not declined too much, Similarly, Romania is a problem in terms of
Romanian agriculture reduce its contribution imports. In this sense, the past 10 years our
to GDP below 10%, amounting in 2006 to country has had to deal with the deficit of
about 8.8% . Although the share of agriculture trade balance of agricultural products, having,
in GDP is twice the EU level, where the on average, a figure which stands at over one
average is 4%, this result is important and billion Euros annually[3].
draws a warning from the perspective of
reducing the contribution of agricultural Table 2. Trade balance ( Euro Million )
Specification 2007 2008 2009 2009 2009
supply shocks to fluctuations in GDP in terms compared compared
of weather conditions becoming more with 2008 with 2007
EXPORT 1 100.7 2 120.6 2 181.6 61.0 1 080.9
unstable. Intra UE 770.4 1 385.3 1 681.6 296.3 911.2
Extra UE 330.3 735.3 500.0 -235.3 169.7
In recent years, agriculture has made IMPORT 3 255.1 4 190.3 3 714.0 -476.3 458.9
significant changes in value of the share in Intra UE 2 357.5 3 317.3 2 982.9 -334.4 625.4
Extra UE 897.6 873.0 731.1 -141.9 -166.5
GDP. In 2007, however, has reached a critical BALANCE -2 154.4 -2 069.7 -1 532.4 537.3 622.0
threshold, only 5.7% contribution to GDP and Intra UE
Extra UE
-1 587.1
-567.3
-1 932.0
-137.7
-1 301.3
-231.1
630.7
93.4
285.8
336.2
this is explained by the calamities that have
reached our country this year and led to a There is an upward trend of exports: in 2008
production well below expected levels. compared to 2007 their value is doubled, and
Year 2008 came with a high GDP growth and in 2009 over 2008, exports grew by 61
a high contribution of agriculture. This year million. Increase in value of exports but failed
the rate has reached 6.6%, a significant to offset the deficit created by imports,
increase, especially as I say, in the context of although their value was reduced by 476.3
GDP growth [2]. million Euros, amid the economic crisis. The
Year 2009 was again a decline in GDP and trade deficit recorded in 2009 was 1.5324
also the agricultural sector. Its contribution to billion Euros, down by 537.3 million Euros,
GDP declined to 6.6%, an explanation for this
decline as the global economic crisis, which
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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol.11, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN 1844-5640
compared with 622 million Euros in 2008
compared to 2007 (Fig. 4). Trade balance with food products is poor
EXPORT 2181,6 mil. euro overall. Romania has high potential sectors
only live animals, cereals, wine, edible oil,
canned fruit. For the balance of trade and
Moldova
Turkey
3%
1% Other countries
19%
export growth, Romania, investment
programs implemented in the past to
EU
modernize existing units and establishment of
77%
new processing units in rural areas by
categories of food products.
Romania has suffered of low exports and
IMPORT 3714,0 mil. euro
competitiveness of agro-food products, due to
complete failure of food safety standards and
Moldova U.S. environmental protection.
1% 3% Other countries
Turkey
13%
3%

CONCLUSIONS
EU
80%
1. In recent years, Romania has progressed in
terms of agricultural trade deficit, down from
1.8847 billion Euros to 1,373,900,000 Euros.
Source: Eurostat It is noteworthy that the main export-import
Fig. 4. Romania's trading partners in 2009 by groups of
countries
transactions took place at EU level, thus the
supply of agro-food products in 2009 had a
The European Union is the main partner in value of 77% and the share purchases in EU
Romania's agricultural trade, as in 2009, Member States have held a share of 80%.
shipments of agricultural products to the EU 2. Although the trade balance continues to be
had a share value of 77% and purchases of EU poor, there is a decrease in the difference
Member States have held a share of 80%[4]. between the import and export from year to
year, a sign of increased competitiveness of
Table 3. Trade in food products during January-July agricultural products as a result of the
2010
NC Specification Export %
measures imposed by the European Union.
EU Total compared
with Jan –
This was, of course, the financial support of
mil. euro mil. euro
Jul 2009 the European court, by awarding grants to
0 1 2 3
I Livestock 180 223.3 126.1 support agriculture.
II Vegetal products 309.1 549.8 87.3 3. For the balance of trade and export growth,
III Animal and 74.4 75.8 154.5
vegetable fats and Romania, under the national plan for
oils
IV Food, beverages 415.9 470.3 122.1
development of agriculture and rural
and tobacco development investment programs
Total NC I-IV 979.4 1 319.2
implemented in the past to modernize existing
Total Jan – Jul 15 008.8 20 527.3
2010
units and establishment of new processing
% NC I-IV 6.5 6.4 facilities in deprived areas and traditional
Import % compared Deficit
EU Total with Jan – Jul mil. euro rural the rural food categories.
mil. euro mil. euro 2009
4 5 6 7=5-2
500 536.6 85.9 313.3
REFERENCES
487.5 641.5 99.5 91.7
92.6 114.9 130.9 39.1 [1] Angelescu C., C. Socol, A. Socol, Economic
646 847.7 101.1 377.4 policies, Economic Publishing House, 2009, page 153
1 726.1 2 140.7 821.5 [2] Burghelea C., Trend analysis of the autochthonous
agricultural segment evolution, in The economic and
18 802 26 024.8 5 497.5 ecological dimension of development in the third
9.2 8.2 14.9
millennium, second edition, 2010, April 28-29,
Source: International Trade Statistical Bulletin no.
Bucharest, Supplement of Quality-access to success
7/2010, INS
Journal, Year 11, no.111, 2010, ISSN 1582-2559
23
Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol.11, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN 1844-5640
[3] Dinu M., Socol C, Marina ș M., ”European
economy. Synoptic presentation”, Economic
Publishing House, Bucharest, 2004
[4] Dona I., ”Rural economy”, Economic Publishing
House, 2000
[5] Zahriu L. (coordonator), Dachin A., Ion R., Popescu
A., Poenaru S., “Agriculture under impact of CAP”,
Ceres Publishing House, Bucharest, 2006
[6] www.eurostat.ro
[7] www.insse.ro

24
Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
Vol.11, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN 1844-5640
RETROSPECTIVE OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
DEVELOPMENT IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CONTEXT

Cristina BURGHELEA1, Corina – Maria ENE1

1
Hyperion University, 169 Calea Calarasilor, Bucharest, Romania, Email:
crystachy@yahoo.com, corina.maria.ene@gmail.com

Abstract

Geo-strategic position of our country can promote the development of agriculture, which still holds an important
position relative to the economy. This paper aims, based on analysis of available data, development of agriculture
in Romania and its influence on the economy as a whole, highlighting an important manifestation of macroeconomic
fluctuations: gross domestic product. It also analyzes the dynamics of national agriculture and extensive size of the
component of subsistence agriculture as a priority to maintain production variation dependence on natural
conditions, strongly influenced by the real convergence of the Romanian agriculture confronted with the European
Union.

Corresponding author: crystachy@yahoo.com

Keywords: economic development, rural area, agricultural area and economic normality.

INTRODUCTION as an agricultural area (after France, Spain,

Germany, Poland, United Kingdom and Italy)
With an important geostrategic position, a
and No. 5 as arable land (after France, Spain,
significant rural area with a population in
Germany and Poland).
rural areas representing 45% of the total
Distribution of land by use of arable land
population of the country, Romania is the
deals show that approx. 64% of the farmland,
second largest agricultural producer in Central
one third, 4.8 million ha, is occupied by
and Eastern Europe (after Poland).
pastures and meadows, orchards and
Approximately 60% of the country is used for
vineyards and is approx. 3%.
agricultural production and about 30% for
forestry [1]. Table 2. Distribution of land ( Thousand ha )
Nationally, agriculture is one of the most Specification 2007 2008 2009
important branches of the Romanian Agricultural area 14709,3 14712,4 14705,3
economy. The contribution of agriculture, which:
Arable 9423,3 9387,2 9384,4
forestry, fisheries in gross domestic product
Pastures 3330,0 3384,3 3380,7
stands at around 6% of GDP and the EU
Hay 1531,4 1525,3 1526,7
Member States stands at about 1.7%.
Vineyards and 424,6 415,6 413,5
orchards
Table 1. Share of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in Source: Statistical Yearbook of Romania, 2008 [3]
GDP ( RON Million )
Gross domestic 2007 2008 2009
product
TOTAL 416.006,8 503.958,7 334.231,5

Agriculture, forestry 23.992,2 32.566,4 19.220,2

and fisheries
% din GDP 5,8 6,5 5,8

Source: Monthly Statistical Bulletin - Nr. 12/2009

Of those totals 23.8 million ha as Romania,

the country's agricultural area is 14.7 million
hectares (61.7%), of which 9.4 million ha is
arable land. Romania is in 7th place in Europe
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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
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Agricultural area by use (14.7 million ha) the share of agricultural population dynamics
show a gradual downward trend of it, from
40.9% in 2001 to 29.5% in 2007.
In late 2006, out of a total of 9.313 million
10% 3%
persons employed, in agriculture, hunting and
23%
Arable
Pastures
forestry were 2.84 million people, which is
Meadow about 30.5% of total employment. In late
64% Vineyards and orchards
2007, out of a total of 9.353 million persons
employed, in agriculture, hunting and forestry
were 2.76 million people, which is about
29.5% of total employment.
With regard to the farming population by age,
Fig. 1. Agricultural area by use
Source: chart was created by authors using data from there is an aging workforce in this sector.
the Statistical Yearbook of Romania, 2008 Thus, over half of it belongs to the age groups
over 45 years and the share of population
MATERIAL AND METHODS employed in agriculture with over 65 years
increased by 2 percent compared with 2006.
Farm situation with legal status, households
and areas in their operation is as follows: of Share of population employed in agriculture
the 3,931,350 registered farms in late 2007,
3,913,651 (99.5%) were individual farms,
which own 65% of utilized agricultural area, 45

and 17,699 units with legal personality have 40

exploited the remaining 35% of the area. 35

Average agricultural area used was 3.5 30
ha/farm 2.3 ha/farm being operated by 25
individual farms on average and 270.4 ha / 20
farm by units with legal personality. There are 15
big differences between the average size of 10
individual farm holdings in Romania and the 5
EU, approx. 19 ha per farm[4]. 0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Share of population 40,9 36,2 34,7 32 31,9 30,5 29,5
employed in agriculture

Fig. 4. Share of population employed in agriculture

Source: chart was created by authors using data from
the Statistical Yearbook of Romania, 2007, 2008
Units with legal personality
Individual farms Table 3. Output of agriculture sector
SPECIFICATION 2007 2008

Millions % Millions %
RON RON
Vegetation 28723,4 60,2 45242,2 68,3

Animal 18291,6 38,3 20535,7 30,6

Agricultural 684,8 1,5 716,0 1,1
Fig. 3. Agricultural area used
services
Source: chart was created by authors using data from
the Statistical Yearbook of Romania, 2008 TOTAL 47699,9 100,0 66993,9 100,0

Source: Statistical Yearbook of Romania, 2008

Although employment in agriculture
population is still one of the largest in Europe,
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Organic farming has experienced dynamic 90
80
development in recent years. Thus, in 2008, 80 77

the total area cultivated by the organic 70

production method was approx. 221,411 ha, 60

which represents an increase of approx. 13 50

Import (3403,3 mil euro)

times the area planted in 2000 and 1.54% 40

Export (2029,4 mil euro)

compared to 2005. For 2009, the area for 30

19
organic production is approx. 240,000 ha. 20
13

The livestock sector in 2008 has been certified 10

1 1
3 3 3

organic livestock growth especially in sheep 0

Reuplica Turcia UE Alte ţări S.U.A.

and goats, an increase of approx. 15 times the Moldova

annual average for the period 2000-2004 and Fig. 4. Trading partners by groups of countries in 01.I
approx. 14 times the recorded herds in 2005. 30.XI.2009
Processed organic products sector is found Source: chart was created by authors using data from
the Statistical Yearbook of Romania, 2008
both diversifying product range by launching
new products and increasing the number of The rich cultural heritage and tourism
processors to 85 units in 2008 to 48 in 2007. potentials offered by a rise in rural incomes
provide the premises of the activities in this
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS sector. Although the prospect of EU
accession, Romanian agriculture has to march
Comparative analysis of trade in food
on rural development (the fashionable phrase
products during 01.I-30.XI.2009 against the
of the Common Agricultural Policy), the
corresponding period of 2008.
complex issues that lie this process are not
Table 4. Trade balance: understood (the concept of rural development
was observed for the first time in a formal
Time 01.I- 01.I- 01.I-30.XI.2009 in program only in 1996).
30.XI.2009 30.XI.2008 % compared with
01.I-30.XI.2008
CONCLUSIONS
EXPORT 2029,4 1945,2 104,3
IMPORT 3403,3 3829,9 88,9 1. If it is to highlight the real convergence of
SOLD -1373,9 -1884,7 the Romanian agriculture to the European
Union should draw up a matrix of SWOT
Source: Statistical Yearbook of Romania, 2008
(strengths, weaknesses, risks and
The trade deficit during 01.I-30.XI.2009 euro opportunities)[2]
was 1.3739 billion, decreasing by EUR 510.8 2. Strengths: The second largest producer in
million compared to the corresponding period Central and Eastern Europe after Poland
of 2008. (Romania-agricultural area of 14.8 million
The European Union is the main partner in hectares), climate and soil are conducive to
Romania's agricultural trade, as during 01.I- the development of an efficient agriculture,
30.XI.2009 supplies of agricultural products the potential development of organic farming,
to the United States had a share value of 77% using traditional methods no intensive.
and acquisitions of EU Member States have 3. Weaknesses: the role of "safety class" for
held a share of 80%. people who can not find work in other areas,
subsistence agriculture, many small family
farms, large share of self-consumption,
agricultural market is not fully functional at
subsidies low, declining share of agricultural
production in GDP was accompanied by a
significant increase in the share of agricultural

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population in total employed civilian
population.
4. Threats and risks for Romania's integration
in the field of agricultural land market and
poor rental, land market is underdeveloped,
representing only 5% of the total potential of
this market, poor access to credit, capital
investment is calculated as 30% of the EU for
Romania to meet European standards, limited
access to markets, intermediate consumption
is extremely low (-25%) according to
extensive agricultural activities, lack of
human capital, labour productivity is half the
EU average while production costs are higher
by about 30%, the percentage of self-
consumption 2-fold higher than the level
considered normal up to 30% of agricultural
output.

REFERENCES

[1] Angelescu, C., Ciucur, D., Suciu, M., Grosu, T.,

Socol, C., Pop, V., Strategic options for romanian
agriculture development, Economic Publishing
House, Bucharest, 2004
[2] Angelescu, C., Socol, C., Socol, A., Economic
policies, Economic Publishing House, Bucharest,
2009, p.171
[3] www.insse.ro
[4] www.madr.ro

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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
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IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN
ROMANIA IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT

Octavian Constantin BURGHELEA1, Cristina BURGHELEA2

1
Printec Group Romania, 44 Constantin Aricescu, 011688, Bucharest, Romania, Email:
octavian.burghelea@printec.ro
2
Hyperion University, 169 Calea Calarasilor, Bucharest, Romania, Email:
crystachy@yahoo.com

Abstract

European Union environmental policy developed by its location above the national policies of Member States, the
main source - or at least as a reference point - theirs. Article seeks to clarify this issue new and difficult, especially
for those countries - including Romania - where environment, as theme for politics, has undergone fundamental
changes in recent decades. For the countries concerned, the transposition of Community environmental regulations
were often one step higher than it would have made their own. It is now clear that environmental issue has become
one of the most visible and strong fields. This was partly due to broader changes in how citizens and scientists
perceive environmental issues, but also because the EU has become an important independent actor in these
changes. The European Community has grown rapidly into a strong supporter of the principles of community and
national policy formulation in the idea of protecting and preserving the environment - such as "polluter pays
"principle and the precautionary principle - its impact on other players is enormous.

Corresponding author: crystachy@yahoo.com

Keywords: sustainable growth, healthy environment, EU acquis, economic balance

INTRODUCTION integration and environmental policy. In 1981

was established Directorate General
In second Article of the Treaty of the
Environment (DG XI), which played a central
European Commission provide for a
role in developing the legal system and the
"sustainable and balanced growth, but
institutionalization of environmental issues.
environmental issues were not reported
The late '70s and early '80s is the period in
separately and had no political significance in
which it was adopted legislation based on
the first two decades of existence of the
broad areas of environment (water, air,
Community. After the United Nations (UN)
species protection, etc.). The period between
organized the Stockholm Conference on the
1987 and 1992 led to the completion of a
Human Environment (1972), founding of the
comprehensive EU environmental policies
UN Environment Programme, the European
Single European Act (1987) recognized the
Union political leaders have realized that new
environment as a legal competence of the
initiatives were needed in this direction.
Union, by adding Title VII of the EC Treaty
During the Paris summit of 1972, U.E.
By 1992, there were not many elements of
formally recognized the need for
environmental policy or the protection of
environmental policy. Thus, the European
nature that are not covered to some extent on
Parliament was established a committee on
EU directives Treaty of Maastricht (1992) and
environment and consumer protection and
the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) continued
environmental committee. The Environmental
strengthening environmental priorities by
Action Programme (1973-1976) were the
formulating the EU's main missions, namely
foundations of the European approach to
"a balanced and sustainable development." In
environmental policy, defending principles
accordance with international trends last two
such as "polluter pays" principle and the
action programs have focused on sustainable
precautionary approach "to achieve
development, not only on narrow
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Scientific Papers Series Management , Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development
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environmental objectives. In a period of 30 procedure is the following normative acts of
years, the environment has become one of the environmental protection:
important areas of EU and in addition, the Sustainable consumption and production
European community has become a major package consisting of: Action Plan for
player in the environmental policy. sustainable consumption and production and
At EU level, there are institutions, sustainable industrial policy (SCP-SIP),
environmental rules and formal procedures proposed Regulation on eco-labelling,
that must adapt quickly to dynamic proposed Regulation on the audit of
environmental policy formulation [1]. environmental management (EMAS),
Together with the European Commission, Directive on eco-design, Communication on
Council of Europe and European Union Court Green Public Procurement (GPP).
of Justice, which have roles more or less Proposed Directive on: Industrial Pollution
formal environment, the most important (Prevention and Control Directive
institutions in this respect are the Directorate reformulation integrated pollution), the
General Environment (DG XI) and the protection of soil and amending Directive
European Environment Agency. DG XI was 2004/35/EC, the restriction of the use of
primarily designed to develop basic certain hazardous substances in electrical and
legislation on the environment. European electronic equipment waste electronic
Environment Agency was designed in the late equipment (WEEE) - (recast), Stage II vapour
'80s and founded in 1994, working in recovery during refuelling of cars at petrol
Copenhagen and is the main source of stations, protection of animals used for
information for those involved in the scientific purposes.
development, adoption, implementation and Environmental policies should be evaluated in
evaluation of environmental policy. Among the context of changing patterns of production
other lesser-known institutions with expertise and consumption. Many policies developed at
in environmental issues include the the community level have failed from the
Committee of the Regions, Economic and start, or that they were not well designed,
Social Committee and the European whether it were vague or did not take into
Investment Bank. account the pragmatic aspects of
Community acquis comprises over 200 implementing or have not been discussed in
environmental directives, regulations and detail with key actors etc.. Progressive
decisions, which are horizontal legislation and environmental proposals have often been
sector legislation on environmental protection. diluted or rejected during the negotiation
Horizontal legislation covers those rules that process. Despite the sustained efforts of the
consider the transparency and flow of European Environment Agency, best
information, facilitate decision making, practices, information, tools, etc. which would
development of civil society and involvement contribute to environmental policies apply and
in environmental protection. In contrast, therefore more adoptable, are still insufficient.
sector legislation refers to the sectors covered U.E. Standing was a supporter of integrated
environmental policy (air quality, climate environmental policy formulation and
change, waste management, water quality, planning long term, but the actual application
nature protection, industrial pollution control, of these principles in its policies has proven
chemicals, genetically modified organisms, extremely difficult. And the main
noise, civil protection). All normative environmental policy issues have emerged
documents are developed by the European and are in the Member States. They must
Commission DGs specific. After the implement EU directives, and often fail to do
presentation by the Commission draft so in a timely and efficient manner, which is a
legislation be adopted by codecision or general problem with the whole community.
committee. Proposals for legislation are The claim that the most serious environmental
accompanied by impact assessments or impact problems have been solved or that it was time
studies summary. Currently co-decision for humanity to be more relaxed in terms of
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environmental policy, given increasing global country could adopt and implement the entire
economic competition, is completely acquis communitarian in the environmental
erroneous, relying at best on an incomplete field until receipt of EU Although Romania
understanding of specific problems or at worst was the only candidate for the European
a cynical belief in the old ideology of Commission has expressly stated that priority
unlimited and uncontrolled growth. should be given to environmental issues, has
adopted a realistic position, enabling our
MATERIAL AND METHODS country to harmonize and implement the
environmental acquis in reasonable time.
Environmental issues have added yet another Under the treaty of accession, Romania has
dimension of complexity to the process of benefited from various periods of transition
Romania's EU accession, our country is in an on water quality, air quality, and waste
ecological situation full of contrasts: on the incineration. Regarding air quality
one hand, a single tank of protected areas in requirements of Community law had to be
regions where ecosystems have preserved, on implemented gradually during the first three
the other hand, a number of environmental years after accession. The overall objective of
risk areas. Air pollution level was quite high, recovery and disposal of several types of
intensive use of pesticides in agriculture has waste would be achieved by 31 December
polluted the soil and water, and the latter were 2011. By 31 December 2010 Romania had to
affected by wastewater. Urban waste is recycle over 40% of the total volume of waste
another concern, most of which are stored in (with some exceptions for certain categories
locations that do not enjoy any environmental of waste such as glass, whose full recycling
system. With regard to industrial waste, will not be possible until 2013). Different
although they are subject to relatively strict periods of transition have been accepted by
regulations, the application of these rules is the EU in areas where compliance with its
generally inadequate and do not provide standards require most investment from
adequate protection. Finally, noise pollution Romania. According to initial studies by the
affects the quality of urban life. European Commission, the need to comply
Romania has adopted relatively late with European standards of environmental
environmental legislation. Although much protection requires a financial effort from
environmental damage stems from Romania's Romania about 3-4% of GDP, i.e. about 29.32
Communist past, even after the transition to billion euro by 2018 (last year given that
democracy, environmental protection has transitional period for implementing all
become a top priority, even though in 1990 he provisions of the environmental acquis
was created the first environment ministry. communitarian). The main sources for
Basic legislation specifying principles of financing these actions are from the state
environmental policy was adopted later. In budget (about 7 billion euro) by the private
December 1995 Parliament approved the Law sector (about 9 billion euro) and internal and
of environmental protection, the basic external funding programs (about EUR 13
framework for environmental protection of billion). Thus, it is expected that Romania will
the country and that the State recognizes the support the considerable EU funding, another
right to a healthy environment and guarantee reason for strengthening administrative
access to information on environmental capacity. Most of the funds to be allocated to
quality and the right of citizens to associate in environmental protection are dedicated to
organizations environmental protection and improving water quality, the most serious
adequate compensation for environmental environmental problem.
damage. Since the EU during the accession
During Romania's preparation for accession, negotiations implementation plans were
there were parts of the European Community developed for 12 directives and a regulation in
legislation into national law to be order to substantiate the requested transition
implemented quickly and found thus that our
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periods, divided into two stages and having c). Industrial Pollution Control: 8 Total
the following EC Directives: transposed directives, regulations
I. Step 1: Directive 94/63/EC on the control implemented by 20, 13 acts translated (one of
of emissions of volatile organic the project) and a law transposed and
compounds (VOC) emissions resulting implemented simultaneously;
from petrol storage and distribution from d). Waste Management: 16 total and 5
terminals to service stations, Directive transposed Directive transposed partially
1999/13/EC on emissions of volatile implemented by 35 acts (3 of the project), 63
organic compounds due to the use organic acts translated (3 of the project) and 13
solvents in certain activities and regulations transposed and implemented
installations, Directive 94/62/EC on simultaneously;
packaging and packaging waste as e). Water quality: 21 total and 3 transposed
amended by Directive 2004/12/EC, Directive transposed partially implemented by
Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration 43 laws, 51 laws translated (including 2 in the
of waste, Directive 2002/96/EC on waste project) and two regulations transposed and
electrical and electronic Directive implemented simultaneously;
91/676/EEC on the protection of waters f). Nature protection: 4 Total transposed
against pollution caused by nitrates from Directive, implemented by regulations 38 (4
agricultural sources, Directive of them in the project), 11 acts and a law
76/464/EEC and "daughter directives" on transposed and implemented simultaneously;
pollution caused by certain dangerous g). Hazardous substances: directives
substances discharged into the transposed six total and three partially
environment of the Community. implemented through regulations
II. Step 2: Directive 98/83/EC on the quality implemented in July, 17 laws translated (one
of water intended for human consumption of the project) and two regulations transposed
and Directive 1999/31/EC on waste and implemented simultaneously;
disposal, Directive 91/271/EEC h). Genetically modified organisms: 2 Total
concerning urban waste water treatment as transposed Directive, implemented by 17 acts
amended by Directive 98/15/EC, Directive (3 of the project), four acts and a law
96/61 / EC concerning integrated pollution transposed and implemented simultaneously;
prevention and control, Directive i). Climate change: 2 full and 2 Directives
2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions transposed partially implemented through
of certain pollutants into the air from large regulations implemented in July and five acts
combustion plants, Regulation (EEC) no. translated;
259/93 on the supervision and control of j). Noise: a totally transposed Directive,
shipments of waste within, from and implemented through four acts and a law
within the European Community. implemented.
Currently, the situation of the transposition
and implementation of environmental RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Directives of the European Commission, the
fields through national legislation, is as A prerequisite for fulfilling the commitments
follows: undertaken by Romania during the
a). Horizontal Legislation and regulations: 7 negotiations for accession to the
Total transposed Directive, implemented by environmental chapter of the European Union
regulations 14 and 14 transposed; is to achieve an innovative economic growth,
b). Air Quality: 9 directives transposed total both regenerative and protective environment
and four partially implemented by regulations and the individual. Among the objectives of
30, 15 acts translated (one of the project) and Sustainable Development Strategy for the
7 regulations transposed and implemented European Union, the following are of
simultaneously; particular importance for the future of the
national economy and the costs of mitigating
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climate change and its adverse effects on From an economic perspective, these funds
society and the environment, a transportation will be attracted if viable and effective
system to meet the needs of economic, social programs will mean a lot in the future
and environmental society, promoting development of our country. In this respect,
sustainable consumption and production the Bucharest authorities have initiated
patterns, improving economic management several programs and strategies.
and avoid overexploitation of natural So, bring into question - to influence
resources, recognizing the value of ecosystem environmental policy argument on the
services. Integrating sustainable development development of national economy -
objectives in economic activity involves the Environment Sector Operational Programme,
changing patterns of production and which represents the programming of
consumption. For the purposes of the above, Structural and Cohesion Funds and sets
was introduced in economic theory and the strategy for the allocation of European funds
concept of sustainable production and to develop the environmental sector in
consumption. Romania , 2007-2013. It is financed from two
To achieve or move towards EU targets funds - European Regional Development
Sustainable production and consumption, it is Fund and Cohesion Fund - with a value of
very important for our country to focus on the around 4.5 billion euro, plus national co-
accountability of business, along with civil financing of around one billion euro.
society awareness. Romania is still the first The overall objective of the Sector
steps in this area. Public authorities have a Operational Programme Environment to
key role in including in economic and social improve the living standards and
policy strategies and the concept of environmental standards and at the same time,
sustainable production and consumption and contribute substantially to achieving accession
to initiate and maintain an ongoing dialogue commitments and environmental compliance.
with civil society and the productive side of To achieve this overall investment will be
service: Business. The price of the funded for the following sectors: water / waste
suppression products "catabolic" of economic water, waste management / rehabilitation of
systems is currently charged may be too high, polluted land historic district, nature
but if it is paid later will be worse for society. protection, protection against flooding and
Switching between production and coastal erosion; technical assistance. We will
consumption "at any price" Sustainable try, among which are, to emphasize the
production and consumption, with "prices influence of the most important sector
include" or avoiding "the bill" to other environmental action on the economic
geographical areas or the future will be a development of Romania.
process which should start in March Investments in the water and wastewater will
directions: State authorities, like the EU, will receive 2.78 billion euro from EU funds
facilitate access to various tools business to (grant) - mostly from EU funds SOP
sustainable production and consumption, Environment (60%) - and considering the
empowerment through various businesses and funding of large infrastructure projects that
even "pressure" from both the authorities and will make an important contribution to
by civil society; awareness of civil society so compliance with EU environmental standards
that consumers seek products and services and will have a considerable impact national
that have been designed following sustainable development, aiming at both increasing the
production and consumption patterns. A first efficiency of investment costs (through
step was made by adopting the National economies of scale) and operating costs of
Strategy for Sustainable Development [2]. newly established investment objectives.
As noted, compliance with European Benefits for the national economy consists in
standards of environmental protection creating jobs, funds from the state budget,
requires a financial effort on the part of quality and reduced costs for consumers,
Romania until 2018, about 29 billion euro. water reclamation, etc..
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In the waste management / rehabilitation of CONCLUSIONS
historically contaminated land EU will invest
0.93 billion euro (grant), to create integrated 1. The importance now given to
management systems at regional level, environmental policy in the European Union
together with the closure of non-complying. It is closely linked to the place of the Member
will finance the collection, sorting, transport, States and Community institutions in joint
waste treatment and storage combined with production and consumption processes. Today
measures to reduce the amount of waste. in the U.E. environmental policy is no longer
Other investments are earmarked for pilot carried on the periphery of society, but
projects for the rehabilitation of land affected gradually moved to the centre of the system
over time by various pollutants that adversely represented by its production and
affect the environment and human health. For consumption, and externalities that they create
the development of Romanian industry to the system in question. It is becoming
optimize the national transport and saving of increasingly obvious that there are massive
resources or renewable resources recovery environmental consequences of what and how
and reuse program has an important role in to produce, what happens during and after
stimulating the renewal of national self Park consumption. Currently, the European
(crock Program) [3]. community is the most developed system of
River flood protection facilities benefiting the international environmental policy
270 million EU grant, the intervention areas formulation, institutional entity and is the only
were selected in accordance with relevant comprehensive environmental rules
national strategy, and based on risk analysis. mandatory and enforceable.
So, in addition to avoiding significant damage 2. In Romania, the issue is sensitive
on the national budget and public assets, environment and local pollution problem,
investments in this sector and are considering caused by heavy industry, transport and
agricultural irrigation and forest vegetation, agriculture, seems to weigh heavy. Although
with beneficial influence on the future our country has solved the issue of
development of Romania. Coastal erosion harmonization of environmental legislation -
reduction benefits of 329 million euro EU formal and technical aspects of the acquis
grant for the protection and rehabilitation of communitarian - truly national priorities must
the Black Sea, investment contributes to be reflected in the design and implementation
increased public safety and environmental of this policy, refers not only to meet EU
protection, but also the economic value of the standards in the field.
littoral, the development of tourism and
shipping. Any investment with external REFERENCES
financing, especially when some of these
funds are grants (grants), entail substantial [1] J. McCormick: Environmental Policy in the
benefits in the economic development of European Union, Pulgrave Publishing, Baingstoke,
Romania. We regard in this respect, creating Hampshire, 2001
[2] National Strategy for Sustainable Development of
jobs, supplying the state budget with Romania (NSDS), Government Decision no.
substantial funds from taxation and taxation 1216/2007, published in Official Gazette no. 737 of 31
of various activities related to modernization October 2007
and completion of the national infrastructure, [3] Program launched by the Government Emergency
transport optimization and development of Ordinance no. 196/2005 regarding the Environment
certain branches of the services sector, etc.., Fund, as amended and supplemented. For 2010, this
action was covered by the Order no. 1683 of
recovery, reclamation and reuse of material 10.12.2009 of the Minister of Environment and Forests
resources, cheap and effective and fair for approval of funding of the Program Guide to
management of natural resources available to stimulate national car park renewal in 2010
our country, with a strengthening and
preserving the environment is the foundation
for the future of Romanian society.
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CONCEPTS OF SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Vergina CHIRIŢESCU1, Mihaela KRUZSLICICA1, Viorica GAVRILĂ1,

Mariana SANDU2, Lavinia Lăcrămioara TĂNASE3
1
Romanian Academy, Institute of Agricultural Economics, 13, Calea 13 Septembrie st.,
5th district, Bucharest, Postal code 050711, Romania, Tel. / Fax. + 4.021.318.24.11, Mobile:
+4.0744.818.086, E-mail: v.chiritescu@yahoo.com; kruzli@yahoo.com; vio.gavrila@yahoo.com
2
Romanian Academy, Center studies and agro biodiversity "Acad. David Davidescu", 13, Calea
13 Septembrie st., 5th district, Bucharest, Postal code 050711, Romania, Tel. / Fax.
+ 4.021.318.81.06, Mobile: +4.0745.461.412, E-mail: marianasandu56@yahoo.com
3
Bioterra University, 81, Gârlei st., 1st district, Bucharest, Postal code 013724, Romania, Tel. /
Fax. + 4.021.490.61.29, E-mail: lavynya_tanase@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: v.chiritescu@yahoo.com

Abstract

The paper aims to achieve some clarification on the definition and characterization of the two concepts very present
conditions continue the upward evolution of the population Globe. Every day world population grows by about
220,000 people and the world's population each year we add 80 million people. All these people must have access to
sufficient food and safe food. In a generic sense, food safety is to ensure that food conditions: do not suffer physical
deterioration, physical - chemical, biochemical, microbiological, etc. which affect them harmless; do not contain, as
such species beyond the limits permitted by microorganisms legal rules; are not infested with insects and pests; do
not become harmful to human body; ensuring the pleasure of food consumption.According to FAO (Food and
Agriculture Organization - United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), food security means "guaranteeing
each individual at all times, in any place or time of access to adequate and healthy diet to allow him to have a
regime sufficient food for a healthy and active life".Multidimensional nature of food security, just as the fight
against poverty, calls a good correlation between the various sectors - agriculture, commerce, infrastructure, health
- and the variety of intervention levels - local, national, regional, international.

Keywords: food safety, food security, sustainable development.

INTRODUCTION each year we add 80 million people. All these

people must have access to sufficient food and
Community legislative framework on food safe food. [BM] The increase comes mainly
safety and security is common to all Member from underdeveloped countries, which,
States, but adapted to national diversity. The overall, almost to double its population by
EU is making significant efforts that 2050 from 0.9 billion today to 1.7 billion. In
traditional foods are not removed from the total, 2050 will be over 9 billion. The question
market due to safety standards for food and is: will manage the earth to nourish us all with
not be discouraged innovation and quality has safe and sufficient food? [MB]
not suffered. With the accession of new On 1. January. 2010, Romania had 21.4
members and their entry into the European million inhabitants, ranking 7th place in
single market, transitional measures are Europe after Germany, France, Britain, Italy,
sometimes necessary to enable those countries Spain and Poland.
to adapt to high EU standards of food safety. Globally, food security is measured by two
However, even during the transitional period, basic indicators, namely: wheat production
food not complying with EU standards can and stocks of wheat. Wheat is the most
not be sold outside those countries. effective parameter, as it provides half the
Every day world population grows by about energy needs of man and it is less perishable
220,000 people and the world's population fruit and vegetables, can be stored long term.

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Wheat production per capita is calculated and domestic market and external environment,
shows how much wheat would be a person to interests consumers, sustainable agricultural
consume, and inventories show that development, have constituted the
production exceeds consumption, or vice Community policy priority. In addition to
versa. social issues aimed at protecting consumers,
ensuring food safety and security, etc., the
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS importance of agriculture in European Union
While the Common Agricultural Policy countries and the resulting economic issues.
(CAP) has achieved great success with the Thus, the EU, in 2004, agriculture occupies in
objective of ensuring food security of the achieving GDP share from 0.5% in
European Union gradually since the 80s, the Luxembourg and 6.1% in Greece and
EU had to contend with almost permanent Lithuania, while food, beverages and
surpluses in most agricultural commodities, of cigarettes from 0.9% in Luxembourg and
which some have been exported (with 4.0% in Lithuania. These contributions are
subsidies), while others had to be stored or small though, are not negligible considering
disposed of within the EU. the value of GDP for EU-27 countries.
These measures have meant large budget EU food safety policy takes into account the
expenditures, have distorted some world whole chain of food for consumption by
markets, have not always served the best animals or humans. It provides extensive
interests of farmers and became unpopular in regulations and stresses the responsibility of
the eyes of consumers and taxpayers. At the manufacturers and suppliers regarding their
same time society has become increasingly participation in providing quality food supply.
concerned about the sustainability of EU regulations are among the strictest in the
agriculture in the context of environmental world. To make it more transparent and
protection. scientific regulation of food, there was a
Agriculture and markets of agricultural revision of the EU food safety since the late
products and foodstuffs, were often 1990s. In 1997 it established a new scientific
regulated in time, interventions that have advisory system for the EU. Eight scientific
subject a result of agricultural policy committees were created, along with a
objectives, most often aimed at ensuring food Scientific Committee headquarters.
safety and security of people and adapt to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
demands of food products manifested in the was established in 2002. EFSA is an
growing demand in domestic and foreign independent organization that works closely
markets. The importance attached to with various scientific agencies and
agriculture and food sectors stems from the institutions in EU member countries,
fact that they constitute support consumption providing independent scientific advice on all
and a large part of growth, the large matters directly or indirectly impact on food
proportion who most often hold food goods in safety. It covers all stages of production and
total transactions between countries and also supply of food, from production to supply
from that agriculture and food industry are food to consumers. EFSA also made, risk
connected horizontally and vertically with all assessments in the food chain and scientific
other branches of the economy, placing assessment on any matter that has a direct or
organic national economic environment, indirect impact on food supply safety,
regional, international and global. including good health and treatment of animal
Agricultural policies whose overall and plant health.
objectives were originally referred to food Throughout the food chain there is a risk that
security through domestic production, and food is contaminated with chemicals or
subsequently, with CAP reform, aimed at microorganisms. In general, food security is
increasing the quality of these targets its threatened by factors that fall into two
products and their competitiveness in the categories, namely:

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• Biological contamination - bacteria, fungi, microorganisms, which, through consumption,
viruses or parasites, in this type of do not affect consumer health;
contamination, food shows in most cases -organoleptic qualities of foods - which are all
easily identifiable signs; characteristics of food and consumer touch
• Chemical contamination - from the can be perceived: form, color, appearance,
environment with chemicals, veterinary drug smell, taste and consistency;
residues, heavy metals or other residues in -the use of food qualities - referring to satisfy
food reaching unintentionally or accidentally, consumer requirements for food use in the
during the processes involved in agriculture or processes of feeding - nutrition.
animal husbandry and poultry, food Release for public consumption, storage,
processing, transport or their packaging. transport or processing of food products
With the entry into the European Union and which do not meet the requirements of the
align to European norms in force, the number above rules entail material, disciplinary, or
one priority for any organization in the agro- criminal, as determined by law.
food chain is to ensure that safety was not Economic performance of a production or
compromised its products in the food chain, service of food are mostly related to the
and this can be achieved by implementing and quality of her work. In recent years, increased
certification of a Food Safety Management worldwide customer requirements in terms of
System. Each organization must demonstrate quality. This trend was accompanied by an
the ability to control food safety hazards on, understanding of increasingly emphasized the
in order to provide safe end products that fact that continuous quality improvement of
meet food safety requirements agreed upon by products and services is required to achieve
consumers and industry regulators. and maintain economic, performance
Increasingly pronounced trend of the market (efficiency).
specializing in the food industry to maintain a Food safety rules and measures apply to all
tighter control all manufacturers, in order to stages of production, processing, distribution
offer consumers high quality products, but and marketing of food and feed, except
also safe microbiologically and primary production for private use or
bacteriological, led to the birth of a system domestic preparation, handling or storage of
called HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical food for domestic consumption. The risk in
Control Point). HACCP is a system of the context of food security is the probability
internationally recognized food safety, based of adverse health effect and the severity of
on a systematic analysis and preventive this effect, following exposure to a hazard.
production process, which shows that food Risk analysis involves a process comprising
safety risks are identified, assessed and three interrelated components, namely:
controlled. HACCP involves risk • food safety risk assessment - the scientific
identification, control and monitoring of process is composed of four stages, namely:
critical points where the process could be hazard identification (hazard), hazard
compromised food quality. The HACCP characterization, exposure assessment and risk
system must apply to the entire production characterization;
chain: from the growth of plants and animals • risk management - the process, distinct from
to the finished product purchased by the risk assessment, consisting of assessment of
consumer. various possible policies, in consultation with
Rules on food safety concerns: stakeholders, taking into account risk
-nutritional qualities of food - are given the assessment and possibly on other factors and,
chemical components, biochemical, plastics if necessary, selecting appropriate prevention
and energy to satisfy physiological and control measures;
requirements through food consumption, • risk communication - the interactive
nutrition, the human body;sanitary and exchange of information and opinions during
wholesomeness of food qualities - which are the course of risk analysis of hazards and
toxic or content of pathogenic risks, correlated risk factors and risk
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perceptions, among risk assessors, risk scientific information for a more
managers, consumers, food business operators comprehensive risk assessment.
and the food animal, academia and other According to FAO (Food and Agriculture
stakeholders, including risk assessment results Organization - United Nations Food and
and explain the basis of risk management Agriculture Organization), food security
decisions. means "guaranteeing each individual at all
When it comes to food safety hazard in the times, in any place or time of access to
context we must refer to a biological agent, adequate and healthy diet to allow him to
chemical or physical, or a state thereof, have a regime sufficient food for a healthy
present in food or feed, with the potential to and active life."
cause adverse health effects. Food security is influenced by four groups of
Food law pursues one or more general factors:
objectives of protecting human life and health, -the social - economic and political;
consumer interests, the use of fair practices in -agri-food sector performance;
food trade, taking into account where -social protection;
appropriate, health and welfare, plant health -health and hygiene.
and the environment. Also, food law aims to The main bodies involved in monitoring
achieve free movement of food and feed global food security are:
produced and marketed in accordance with -FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization
general principles and requirements of food (United Nations Food and Agriculture);
safety. The development or adaptation of food -EC - European Commission (EC - European
law are taken into account existing Commission);
international standards or state of being -USDA - United States Department of
adopted, unless such standards or items Agriculture (Department of Agriculture
covered by these standards is not an effective United Nations).
or appropriate for the objectives of this In recent years indicate that there are
legislation, or if there is scientific justification problems of food insecurity in 86 countries,
or if they can determine a level of protection 43 African, 24 Asian, 9 in Latin America and
different from that established at Community the Caribbean, 7 in Oceania and Europe 3. In
level as appropriate. 2004, 35 countries have received emergency
In order to achieve the overall objective, aid because of the food crisis. The main
which aims to ensure a high level of causes were: military and civil conflicts, post-
protection of human health and life, food law conflict situations, refugees, economic
is based on risk analysis except where this disadvantaged areas and climate issues.
approach is not appropriate to the In 2001, German Chancellor Gerhard
circumstances or nature of the measure. Risk Schröder, said: "Extreme poverty, growing
assessment is based on the available scientific inequality between countries and within
evidence and undertaken in an independent, countries, are major problems of
objective and transparent. contemporary, because they are due to
Risk management takes into account risk instability and conflict. Reducing world
assessment results and opinions of the poverty is thus a prerequisite for safeguarding
National Sanitary - Veterinary and Food peace and security."
Safety (ANSVA) other factors relevant to risk Human rights are universal, interdependent
management and the precautionary principle. and indivisible. The right to be free from
In specific cases where, following assessment hunger and discrimination is a fundamental
of existing information can be found harmful right to life and personal safety. While violent
health effects, but remain a scientific conflicts surely result from a combination of
uncertainty can be taken provisional risk several factors, poverty creates conditions for
management measures necessary to ensure a the occurrence or continuation of a conflict.
high level of health protection, to collect other Investing in development is of particular
importance in the reduced likelihood of war,
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and development strategies should take into migration areas - urban and suburban areas
account possible effects on reducing the risk and installation of new entrants in the already
of conflict (or its extension accidental). When fragile environment.
a country's capital stock (including its The number of food emergencies has
physical capital, natural and human) is increased in the last two decades from an
reliable, the economy remains unproductive average of 15% per year in 1980, more than
households are poor and the environment is 30% per year after 2001. Most of these
degraded. This leads to many problems, such increases took place in Africa where the
as: average annual food crisis has almost tripled.
• Rate of small economies. Members use their Balance causes of food crises has shifted over
entire income for poor families to survive and time. Since 1992, the proportion of crises that
may therefore not save for the future. Those were primarily attributable to human causes
savings can be made - few, however - often such as conflict or economic crises, has
lack access to modern banking. doubled rising from 15% to less than 35%.
• Perceptions of limited tax. Governments do More than 45 million people were affected by
not have sufficient budgetary resources to the 21 humanitarian crises in 2003. Most of
facilitate investment and improve public these crises have persisted over time, often
administration, using modern information and being triggered by military conflict and
means of qualified managers. drought, floods and the effects of AIDS.
• Restricted foreign investment. Foreign Reported seizures disrupt food production and
investors prefer to avoid countries that lack food security undermines banishing people
basic infrastructure, countries where road from their homes, kicking at eroding the
networks, ports, communication systems and foundation of everyday life and social status
electrical networks operate poorly and are of families, communities and countries.
unreliable. However, frequently, farmers and
• Violent conflicts. Scarcity of resources can communities to disasters shows remarkable
increase the latent tensions between rival resignation.
groups.
• Exodus of skills. Skilled workers leave the CONCLUSIONS
country, because salaries are too small and too
poor future prospects. 1. In a generic sense food safety is to ensure
• Unforeseen or unplanned births and rapid that food conditions: not suffer physical
population growth. Residents of rural poor deterioration, physical - chemical,
have the highest fertility rates and the most biochemical, microbiological, etc., affecting
numerous families. Rapid population growth their harmlessness; may not contain, as such,
and gradual reduction of agricultural use species of microorganisms beyond the limits
aggravates poverty rates in rural areas. The permitted by legal regulations; not infested
poor villagers receive very limited access to with insects and parasites; does not become
information and services that enable them to harmful to human body; ensuring the pleasure
spacing births and limiting the tasks according of food consumption.
to their preferences. 2. The system called HACCP (Hazard
• Environmental degradation. Groups living Analysis Critical Control Point) is based on
in poverty lack the means to invest in the Food Code (Codex Alimentarius)
environmental protection and have no developed by the UN Food and Agriculture
political power necessary to limit the damage Organization and World Health Organization.
caused to local resources, which result in soil It is recommended that HACCP be used in
degradation, deforestation, overexploitation of conjunction with good hygiene practices and
fisheries and other damage environment. production, along with forming the necessary
These degrading conditions undermine elements of food security. It is also
training in rural incomes and contribute to recommended to be implemented with a
worsening health conditions, determine Quality Management System.
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3. In Romania, organizations can certify concerned by this problem. Nature of food aid
HACCP Management System according to (referring to the stocks of agricultural
the following three benchmarks: Codex products) is made under Article 11 of the said
Alimentarius - general and specific rules on Regulation. Reducing the vulnerability of the
good hygiene practices - GHP - and most helpless populations, food aid system
production - GMP - for organizations that results in better identifying their needs for a
process, transport, store or sell food; DS better understanding of the strategy they
3027E: 2002 - a document which introduces implement in the face of nutrition risk factors.
all the rules of the Codex Alimentarius in a 8. Multidimensional nature of food security,
system that can be documented and whose just as the fight against poverty, calls a good
achievements can be measured; ISO 22000: correlation between the various sectors -
2005 - the first international standard HACCP agriculture, commerce, infrastructure, health -
certification. and the variety of intervention levels - local,
4. Currently, CAP objectives include helping national, regional, international.
agriculture to achieve its multifunctional role Representation of Regulation 1992/96 is also
in society: producing safe and healthy food, found in the International Food Aid
contribute to rural development and protecting Convention, negotiated in 1999. The
and enhancing environmental status of its Convention sets minimum annual food aid
biodiversity cultivated. Also, it was important understanding about (Argentina, Australia,
for the EU to establish common rules for Canada, the European Commission and
approving genetically modified organisms members states, Japan, Norway, Switzerland,
(GMOs) in agriculture. U.S.A.). Actions and objectives are applicable
5. EU tries to help the environment by: to food security in the “Millennium
-providing financial assistance to encourage Development Goals” (MDGs), which is the
change, for example, reducing the number of main component of the Millennium
animals per hectare of land, leaving Declaration, adopted in September. 2000
uncultivated field borders, creating ponds or Millennium Summit, 191 countries, including
planting hedges and so going over the Romania. Millennium Declaration is the only
traditional methods of agriculture; comprehensive development agenda on which
support for the depreciation costs of there is agreement at the highest level
preservation of nature; between most countries.
-necessarily insisting that farmers comply 9. Globalization of the food chain causes
with laws relating to environment (and those constant new challenges and risks to health
relating to consumer health, animal and plant) and interests of European consumers. The
and vigil on the correct operation of the land main objective of EU food safety policy is to
if they wish to qualify for direct subsidies. achieve the highest possible degree of
6. Responsibility for food and feed safety lies protection of human health and consumer
primarily with agents and operators in food interests in relation to food. In this regard, the
and feed industry. In Romania, National EU strives to ensure food safety and proper
Sanitary - Veterinary and Food Safety labeling, given the diversity of products,
(ANSVA) develop regulations regarding the including traditional and at the same time
rapid alert system, crisis management and ensuring the proper functioning of the internal
emergency situations. market. Thus, the EU has developed a
7. Regulation no. 1292-1296 adopted by the comprehensive body of legislation on food
European Union 27. June. 1996 food aid safety, which is continually monitored and
program defines food security and the adapted as new developments. This legislative
European Commission. It resulted from a body is based on risk analysis. Creating the
policy reform progress of food aid established European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was
since 1994 to make an integrated food aid an important step and supporting the efforts of
effectively as possible in policy development European institutions to protect European
and food security strategy of the countries consumers in this area.
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10. The basic principle of EU food safety - www.insse.ro
policy is to apply an integrated approach, such - www.wall-street.ro
- www.manager.ro
as "farm to fork", covering all sectors of the - www.fao.org
food chain - including feed production, animal - www.onuinfo.ro
and plant health, animal welfare, primary - www.ansva.ro
production, processing food, storage,
transportation, retail and import and export.
This comprehensive and integrated approach,
in which the responsibilities of food business
operators and feed, and the competent
authorities are clearly defined, represents a
food policy more coherent, efficient and
dynamic.
11. According to the European Union and
World Health Organization (WHO) - Food
safety is everyone's responsibility, from their
origin until they reach the table. To maintain
quality and food safety along the food chain,
so procedures need to ensure that food is
integrated and monitoring procedures to
ensure the execution of the operations end in
good condition. Food safety can not become a
reality only if it is the responsibility of all
those involved in food, from professionals to
consumers.

REFERENCES

[1] Balescu M., 2011, Analizele Manager.ro, Ne

ameninţă o criză a suprapopulării planetei? (A crisis
of overpopulation threatens our planet?), articol
apărut pe www.manager.ro, 31. ianuarie. 2011
[2] Bidileanu V., 1996, Ce ştim despre agricultura
Uniunii Europene?, Tribuna Economică, Nr. 15 - 22,
Bucureşti.
[3] Giurcă Daniela, 2007, O nouă schimbare a Politicii
Agricole Comune – oportunitate sau constrângere
pentru România?, Proiectul MAKIS al Băncii Mondiale
implementat de MAPDR.
[4] Otiman P. I., 2006, Dezvoltarea rurală durabilă în
România, Editura Academiei Române, Bucureşti.
[5] Schnecker N., 1995, Agricultura - problemă
mondială, Revista Capital, Nr. 34 / 31. august. 1995;
[6] Tracy M., 1997, Produsele agroalimentare şi
agricultura în economia de piaţă, Editura Impex S.R.L.,
Bucureşti.
[7] Documentul Comisiei Europene - Agenda 2000.
[8] x x x – Institutul Naţional de Statistică, Anuarul
statistic al României, 1990 - 2008.
[9] Web sites:
- www.oecd.org;
- www.ecomagazin.ro;
- www.realitatea.net;
- www.siteresources.worldbank.org;
- www.ec.europa.eu/eurostat

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ASPECTS OF TRANSFORMATION OF SEMI-SUBSISTENCE
AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS IN EFFECTIVE AGRO-TOURISTIC
FARMS

Vergina CHIRIŢESCU1, Monica TUDOR1, Gheorghe SĂVOIU2, Sia SĂRARU3,

Liana Angela NECULAIE3
1
Romanian Academy, Institute of Agricultural Economics, 13, Calea 13 Septembrie st.,
th
5 district, Bucharest, Postal code 050711, Romania, Tel. / Fax. + 4.021.318.24.11, Mobile:
+ 4.0744.818.086, E-mail: v.chiritescu@yahoo.com and monik_sena@yahoo.com
2
University of Pitesti, 1, Targul din Vale st., Arges county, Romania, Postal code 110040,
Tel. + 40 348.453.100, Mobile: + 4.0745.047.085, E-mail: gsavoiu@yahoo.com
3
Bioterra University, 81, Gârlei st., 1st district, Bucharest, Postal code 013724, Romania,
Tel. / Fax. + 4.021.490.61.29, E-mail: sia_ion@yahoo.com and liana_niculaie@yahoo.com

Corresponding author : v.chiritescu@yahoo.com

Abstract

Develop and support such fears is aimed at resuming multifunctional farm idea and identifying the means by which
many semi-subsistence agricultural holdings in Romania can be converted into effective farms, through the
provision of agro-farm services. Given that we accept the idea that sustainable rural development can not be based
only on agriculture, agro-tourism may be the main non-agricultural activities, agricultural activities in family farms
complementary, being primarily a source of additional income for them. The European Union encourages, supports
and finances the development of tourism and agro-tourism and additional activities related to agricultural holdings,
especially those of subsistence, semi-subsistence and family.The conditions necessary for rural tourism activities
undertaken to achieve the desired goal are: the conservation of local resources (natural, historical, cultural,
ethnographic, folklore, etc.), environmental protection, improving the quality of life and welfare of residents rural,
etc. Minimum criteria for the classification of households in rural tourist circuit covers: access to sleeping rooms
and toilets, which must be direct without going through other rooms; mandatory connection to the public sewerage
and running water there is domestic; connection compulsory public electricity network. In general, establish an
agro-touristic farm or a rural locations requires a relatively small start-up capital, given that recovery starts on the
premise of the peasant farm surplus accommodation, of those "guest rooms". This capital and depend upon the
material available to the household, the state property that is intended to be transformed in rural locations, existing
infrastructure in the area, etc.

Keywords : agricultural holdings, agro-touristic farms, sustainable rural development.

INTRODUCTION 10 years, mostly rural population is still

defined by traditional household Romanian
Significant rural dimension of the national peasant, and to a lesser extent modern
economy is an economic reality and social agricultural farm. Rural Housing is typically
consequences in time to mark the actual specific single placed in a mostly residential
integration into the European Union. buildings built between 1945 - 1970 and
Arguments are multiple demographic, equipped with water and sewer at a rate less
economic and political. With an aging than 15%, gas supply under 10%, heating
population's growing weight synthesized in central 2%. The general budget of rural
about 10% higher in the group aged 65 years household income captures the dominant
and older with a practical lower life share in nature and agriculture, but also high
expectancy by nearly two years, with an amount of self-consumption, yet located one
overall mortality rate and higher infant almost third of the costs, as well as by the low
50%, with an illiterate population 3.3 times percentage of spending money, taxes and fees.
larger than the urban category has a weight of Approached typical, rural household cash
about 4.5% of the total population aged over income level reflects a net salary of only
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72.4% of the national media on 1 July 2007 Table 1. Number of farms by class European size
(RON 753 respectively in 1040) and a pension ( ESU)
Total 0-5 5 - 20 20 - 50 - ≥ 100
level of 38.4% of the average pension ha ha 50 ha 100 ha
insurance State to end the first semester of ha
EU - 27 7816 3921 2 406 809 393 288
that year (in 140 of 365 RON). Rural Society % 100 50,2 30,8 10,3 5,0 3,7
and the Romanian rural economy might Romania 1236 918,2 289,6 14,9 4,6 8,6
% 100 74,3 23,4 1,2 0,4 0,7
remain only under the traditional type of Source: The FSS for 2005 Report, EUROSTAT, 2006
resizing, fitness for a modern type of organic
farming and, ultimately, profitable. Two of the three properties are in category 1
to 8 ESU, while only 4% were above 100
MATERIAL AND METHODS ESU. European Union agriculture is
dominated by less specialized farms in the
The material presented was developed mainly new Member States (especially in Romania
based on the study of many Romanian and and Lithuania). Most of the small farm
international specialty papers (see references holding and the proportion of all farms are all
at the end of the work), the observation of new Member States (90%) mainly in
actual situations on the ground, the Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Bulgaria.
documentary visits - information made at First of all, the rural economy is not a specific
national level as well and in consultation with business, a business that combines inputs
numerous articles and studies published on purchased on the market to make a profit by
the Internet. The databases used were those selling low in the market. However, the
provided by official national and European Romanian peasant, although at present does
institutions in the field, such as the National not operate an enterprise in the economic
Statistics Institute (INS) of Romania, sense, he runs a household, which could turn
European Union institutions, the World Bank into business only if the business would
and others. Econometric modeling becomes become a major ecological and organic
almost impossible when the rural economic agricultural or would carry out such non-
structure as seen rapid changes, which agricultural activities as agro-tourism, the
obviously happens in the countries in crafts, traditional recipes for processing
transition. The current state of agriculture is agricultural products, etc. Type of organic
due to numerous changes in agricultural agriculture or organic farming in the EU has
policies. Policymakers still act with major about 4% with a slight trend of growth.
negative influence on Romanian agriculture Ecological type or size of this organic farm is
still generating an under-utilization of existing on average higher than normal. Some
production factors and weak complementarity. countries however have a high potential to
provide an organic agriculture and ecological
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS type, somewhere between 70 - 100%,
especially Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia,
The starting point of our scientific approach to Lithuania, Malta and Slovakia.
it had the distribution of agricultural holdings Romanian agriculture is defined by some
in Romania are based on land owned by them. European experts as being performed by an
As can be seen from the table below, the aging population than with secondary
situation is detrimental to a competitive education through subsistence farming with
agriculture. In these conditions, the changes in no future, no markets, low income. Social and
Romanian agricultural holdings may not economic architecture of Europe offers its
correlate with standard U.S. farm typology, is, European funds programs that would be saved
unfortunately, a practical impossibility even by the cultural model of rural Romanian
to achieve a rate comparable with the average village, returning him to a European heritage
EU-27. of the old rural community has virtually
disappeared permanently, thereby exploiting

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the environment and biological diversity coordination of consumer applications and the
existential areas (after 1 January 2007 number of labor.
Romania became the only EU country holding Village as a system include farms,
bio-regions five of the 11 existing differentiated in relation to access and / or
geographical contours of her community their orientation towards the market.
type). Searching for solutions for accessing
In traditional rural Romanian communities European funds is constantly hitting the
can drill some distinctive elements, such as: severe standards of the European agricultural
A. the economic nature of occupations - from model, vastly different lifestyle of the
pastoral villages to farm villages and mixed Romanian village community. Romanian
villages; agricultural rural survival, the peasantry, not
B. forms of social organization - from the only involves a relationship between peasants
village a group of free peasants in the village and non-farmers, but also a type of adaptation,
a group of peasants in the community allowed a combination of attitudes and activities to
foreigners to pay tithe, the village where the support it in its existential effort in the
ancient noble villagers congregation was in political system, economic and social, cultural
the hands of a ruler, the village recently model assimilating it now apparently
established colony, the village with double disappeared in Europe, undermining its
joint property, a boyar and a peasant from the existence. The solution to modernize
village where the group merged with the agriculture and rural areas will be expanded
congregation boyar peasant village and even inexorably over all economic and social
late feudal type. structures. In such a process already evident,
Romanian village peasants remained rural the emphasis is on following directions:
cultivators whose surpluses have been a) increase agricultural productivity;
transferred to a group of elders, the b) economic organization operating structures
descendants of the originators or the in agriculture;
settlement or village hearth, a group that used c) sustainable development of rural
the surplus and redistribute it to those who did infrastructure;
not produce, but had to feed, in exchange for d) improving the structure of production;
services. The group has generated funds for e) organizing the smuggling foodstuffs;
traditions (ceremonies suite), who stressed f) conservation of natural and land against
economic solidarity, religious and cultural degradation;
Romanian rural community. Type in the rural g) crop diversification to ensure economic
economy had become so in the first decade of stability and ecological
the twentieth century, the 1hectar of crops and h) establishing programs for young people in
10 hectoliters per capita grain, holding the rural areas;
record in Europe Romanian village of corn, i) pro-family rural agricultural policies and
wheat and barley, and its exports exceeding providing alternative sources of income;
80 million tons of cereals, between 1880 and j) revitalization of village culture through a
1914 [1]. new rural model of a new type of rural
Romanian peasant was and remained a grower community, closer to urban areas, but also
and a producer was in long-term relationship preserves the authentic traditions.
with the city. There was urban, not rural areas Unfortunately, being exposed to increased
or in the future there will be, whether urban cyclicality, farming as a contribution to GDP
areas will not be able to take office by the fell from 6.6% in 2007 and in 2009 to just
grower and breeder through modern 5.8% in 2009, amid a trend of services.
agricultural farm, based on income or Peasant economic behavior has evolved from
subsidized insurance, where state intervention an involuntary inactivity imposed by the
requires. Romanian rural economy was limited land resources and equipment
always focused on family, kinship, her whole (Nicholas Georgescu - Roegen, 1976) adopted
being determined by the size organization and a strategy focusing on just enough work to
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remain poor in order to avoid the excesses of -State support for Romanian and European
urban tax, socialist policies of agrarian Union initiatives to promote rural
proletarization and random distribution of development especially for tourism and agro-
absentee property type cooperatives forced in tourism.
recent years incorporating the transition from For a peasant can become a rural locations are
agrarian communism with its forms of required minimum number of conditions
collective ownership and community imposed relating to:
on private ownership of land. a.The location of the household - in a
Today tourism in rural areas is increasingly picturesque setting in an easily accessible
valued and sought by people who live and area, in places far from pollution, etc.
work in more stressful conditions inherent in b.Architecture building - comply with the
modern civilization. Being declared as a local in terms of structural characteristics
product who eradicate stress, rural tourism (shapes, sizes, colors, etc..) and construction
and agro-tourism is still a possibility of materials (traditional houses of stone, wood,
returning to nature, to whatever is pure, etc.).
genuine, unadulterated and pure. c.Parks and facilities of the farm yard -
Practitioners of this type of tourism can be gardens, parks, playgrounds for children,
found in the most diverse areas of the globe: turrets, etc.
in almost all Europe (the European d.Household facilities - to meet the local
Community with particular attention to (traditional items, handmade crafts, etc.).
projects and programs for tourism in rural e.Services provided - to be quality, provided
areas), North America, Australia and even by qualified personnel and in the spirit of
Africa. The European Union encourages, traditional hospitality.
supports and finances the development of Minimum criteria for the classification of
tourism and agro-tourism and additional households in rural tourist circuit covers:
activities related to agricultural holdings, -access to sleeping rooms and toilets, which
especially those of subsistence and family. must be direct without going through other
The conditions necessary for rural rooms;
tourism activities undertaken to achieve the -mandatory connection to public sewer
desired goal are: network and the availability of running water
• local resources conservation (natural, waste;
historical, cultural and ethnographic -mandatory connection to public electricity
resources, folklore, etc.); network.
• environmental protection; The main characteristics that must be
• improving the quality of life and well followed in the assessment and classification
being of rural residents. of accommodation and agro-tourism in rural
The advantages of rural tourism / agro- areas are:
tourism, compared with traditional tourism a.the outside position, the receiving unit,
(mass), are: accessibility (means of transport or private
-offers very diverse, original and unique; access roads), the overall condition of
-natural resource wealth, yet the unspoiled buildings, how buildings fit into the landscape
countryside; and regional outdoor facilities (parks, gardens,
-the immense cultural heritage, historical and parking spaces, rest and relaxation, etc.);
spiritual legacy of the Romanian people; b.from the inside: how the arrangement and
-ethnographic resources, folklore and decoration of the rooms, the general
gastronomy exception of the Romanians; impression of living space, eating area (dining
-Romanian peasant hospitality and its room, kitchen, etc..) leisure spaces, guest
traditional crafts (handicrafts, sculpture, food rooms and bathrooms.
processing, etc.). From the legal point of view, Romania,
-picturesque Romanian village, whether hill, tourism and agro can be deployed as:
mountain or plain;
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c.PFA sites (freelancers), established under 1. The seasonality of tourism, which could be
Law no. 300 / 2004; inconvenient in some respects, such as:
d.AF's (family associations), established - the infrastructure of a city during peak
under Law no. 300 / 2004 and / or Law 322 / season may not meet the needs of tourists;
2009; - prices may be too high tourist season;
e.SC (company), established under Law no. - tourists can be bothered, in peak season,
31/1991. from congestion;
In general, the establishment of rural locations - intensity of exploitation of tourism
requires a relatively small start-up capital, opportunities is relatively low;
given that recovery starts on the premise of - in winter, tourist services may be limited to
the peasant farm surplus accommodation, of weekends or during the winter holidays
those rooms. This capital and depend upon the (Christmas, New Year);
material available to the household, the state 2. Activity in tourism and tourism requires a
property that is intended to be transformed in greater effort on the part of providers, special
rural locations, existing infrastructure in the attention to the accommodation and food
area, etc. preparation;
If the household (guesthouses) is established 3. The biggest problems (risks) that can be
in a building independent, separate from the faced and agro-tourism service providers in
house of the householder, the investment the Romanian rural environment are:
required is higher and it may come from - lack of infrastructure (particularly access
funds: own sources, grants from the state roads) to facilitate access to those places for
budget, EU funds (non-reimbursable ), bank tourists who want to enjoy the offer of a
loans, joint ventures with certain investors, pension;
etc. - possible overstatement of earnings (after the
The main advantages of setting up an agro- pension system began to function normally);
tourist boarding houses (guesthouses) are: - direct competitors and especially the
 target market segment, which is underestimation of the indirect, direct
constantly expanding, the number of competitors can be relatively easily assessed
Romanian and foreign tourists who prefer by observing them carefully, the problem
quiet and rustic atmosphere of excitement occurs, particularly in terms of indirect
and atmosphere costly rural locations of competitors (specific restaurants, motels or
hotels is growing exponentially; hotels) because it is more difficult to calculate
 the tourism and agro-tourism how many customers might draw;
activities undertaken in rural areas enjoy a - start work in a poor area attractions that can
real financial support through the National not rise to the expectations of customers, in
Rural Development Programme (NRDP), this case, service providers must be very
which provides non-reimbursable creative to persuade tourists to visit the
European funds for entrepreneurs; guesthouse, for example, can organize sports
 business conducted within the tournaments , competitions and other races,
tourism industry and agro-tourism, the traditional fairs, evenings or other events
hospitality industry that can become very which are to be advertised;
profitable in the short term, if recovered - neglect guests - is not sufficient to provide
from the very beginning all the resources hospitality and good food, tourists should be
available to peasant households, namely: given other reasons for concern, opportunities
adequate housing (or can be improved for fun and relaxation, nature tourism
with efforts reduced financial), programs, etc.
agricultural products and foodstuffs in the - taking into account the exaggerated, the
household, labor resources of family, etc. possibilities of building upon the financial
Specific risks or disadvantages of incentives and access to sources of funding,
establishing an agro-tourist boarding houses how to obtain these financial incentives is not
or are [4]: simple, in most cases, to make a request so it
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is necessary to start work or at least agricultural farm. After 1990, while carrying
demonstrate serious intention to proceed, to five election cycles, the national economy has
obtain funds necessary to prepare appropriate worsened the divide into two distinct parts, as
documentation, represented usually by: defined by the criterion of residential, an
business plan, feasibility study, technical urban novel, growing with a strong libertarian
documentation, specification and economic component, which looks at opportunities
estimates, program activities, etc. rather than state support and a conservative
- lack of promotion, both inside and outside rural Romania, the place most people in the
the country, tourist destinations in Romania, age group 65 years and over, and most of
for instance, a landlord in a remote mountain them are below the poverty line who need
area, however wonderful it may be, will be help, not only for the development of
difficult to access on their own a specialized households, but selected for survival.
market in Europe or anywhere else in the Contrast, polarization, gaps, opposing
world; developments, all in one place means a
- lack of know-how, namely the art of paradoxical relationship between urban and
knowing how to give a visitor an experience rural areas in contemporary Romania.
that should mean more than just good 2. Let us not rush to write the epitaph of
accommodation and a gourmet meal. Romanian rurality, because the spirit of
Romanian peasant is born and reborn again,
CONCLUSIONS even under the burden of these hard times!
Going down the street can see that city
1.Romanian rural economy was always dwellers are increasingly sad, ringed and
focused on family, kinship, her whole being brought back. Romanian peasants are still
determined by the size organization and brown face, still laughing and playing on all
coordination of consumer applications and the occasions with all my heart, convinced that
number of labor. This explains the importance the earth and God will not betray ever. The
of the connection problem of rural process of transforming the over 3 million
overpopulation population density agricultural subsistence farms and semi-subsistence farms
area of the village during the interwar and multifunctional, such as commercial farms,
postwar. The hallmark of overpopulated agro farms and farms with craft activities,
agrarian territories were "crumbling earth, etc., will be long and difficult, but possible.
sale or rental prices of land increased, The main problems facing the current
migration, spread of agricultural occupations, holdings in Romania are: lack of funds, poor
low wages, low farm income ratios, the infrastructure, inconsistency in the legal
regression of green land area, pasture and framework, bureaucracy, local government
croplands, reducing the stock of cattle and disinterest, etc. We hope the return home of
lower income gross (Madgearu Virgil). After young people in rural areas and creating real
more than half a century, the current conditions for sustainable rural development
Romanian village is underpopulated, in a in Romania.
paradoxically mode. With an aging 3. Another approach to this problem would be
population's growing weight synthesized in to recognize that farmers are part of a larger
about 10% higher in the group aged 65 years and more complex society from a rural
and older with a practical lower life economy and supported by an integrated
expectancy by nearly two years with an urban economy benefits from the products
overall mortality rate and higher infant almost obtained here. Growers could remain rural
50%, with an illiterate population 3.3 times peasants whose surpluses are transferred to a
larger than in the urban category has a weight group of leaders able to remunerate traditional
of about 4.5% of the total population aged rural community, a group that uses the
over 10 years, mostly rural population is still surpluses only to redistribute them to those
defined by traditional household Romanian who do not produce, but must be fed in
peasant and to a lesser extent by modern exchange for services characteristic (thus
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ISSN 1844-5640
maintaining the rural Romanian traditions and teoriile sociologice şi statistico - economice rurale
culture). And that the conditions under which româneşti, Studii şi cercetări de economie rurală, Tom
IX - Paradigmele dezvoltării rurale, Editura Terra
the Romanian peasant, its minimum heat Nostra, Iaşi.
exchange as the fund would remain of utmost [4] x x x - Grupul de Editură şi Consultanţă în Afaceri
importance, as specific ceremonial expenses Rentrop and Straton, Pensiune turistică şi agroturistică,
(traditions, cultural events, etc.), which will Bucureşti, 2010.
maintain, even for purposes interest and [4] x x x - Institutul Naţional de Statistică, Anuarul
statistic al României, 1990 - 2008.
economic survival, social order has collapsed [5] Web sites: www.insse.ro, www.europa.eu,
in a peasant world in which peasant Europe is www.worldbank.org, www.antrec.ro.
in a certain extinction. Traditional rural
economy not only feeds his family, but also
provide various services. In such a rural
economic organization, the children are
grown and tailored to the adult world and all
the elders were also cares until you die, then
are paid funeral funds and with the active
involvement of traditional rural community.
Since the main objective of the rural economy
is to meet the annual consumption of the
family budget, the most important fact is not
compensation unit of work (ie day jobs), but
pay the entire year of work.
4. General advantages obtained through the
establishment a tourism or agro hostels are:
• strengthening of family business;
• highlighting the wealth of the village and
area and popularize those areas;
• new jobs for the villagers;
• upgrading local infrastructure
• local economic development activities;
• processing of raw materials from own
production: meat, milk, fish, specific area,
berries, mushrooms, honey, wool, wood;
• the improvement of culture, education and
civilization of the inhabitants of rural
villages and default;
• involvement of the younger generation
and keeping it in rural areas;
• conservation and environmental protection
areas;
• raising the living standards of villagers.

REFERENCES

[1] Axenciuc V., 1996, Evoluţia economică a

României. Cercetări statistico-istorice, 1859 - 1974,
Vol. II, Agricultura, Bucureşti.
[2] Buianu (Chiriţescu) Vergina, 2006, Economia
agroturismului, Editura Terra Nostra, Iaşi.
[3] Săvoiu G., Stanciu Mirela, Vlad I., 2010, Modelul
cultural contemporan al satului tradiţional reflectat în

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SUBSIDIES ALLOCATION IN AGRICULTURE AND ITS EFFICIENCY:
THE CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Liliana Cimpoieş 1
1
The State Agricultural University of Moldova, Chişinau, 44 Mirceşti, MD-2049 Chisinau,
Republic of Moldova, Phone: +373 79295721, Fax: + 373 22 312276, E-mail :
liliana.cimpoies@hotmail.com
Corresponding author: liliana.cimpoies@hotmail.com
Abstract

This paper presents the evolution of subsidies allocations in Moldova’s agricultural sector and the impact of
subsidies on agricultural outputs and profits. The data used were provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, the
Agency for Interventions and Payments in Agriculture, as well as data from agricultural farms collected by the
author. The results show that despite the fact that the amount of subsidies have increased during the last years, their
amount is still low. The carried research of agricultural farms in the period of 2007-2009 demonstrates that only
239 enterprises received subsidies over 650 lei per ha, thus obtaining 1522 lei per ha profit and a profitability rate
of 29,6%. In the same time, the regression analysis reveals that not all the subsidized directions are efficient.
According to it, the most efficient are the subsidies oriented to support the establishment of multiannual plantations
(0,79) and for capital investments (0,5). More inefficient farms are able to absorb larger amount of subsidies
without obtaining any positive results, therefore subsidies should be allocated to the farms relatively efficient in
order to achieve higher results.

Key words: subsidies, farmers, agricultural sector, agricultural policy.

INTRODUCTION agricultural enterprises. In the given research

were used various economic and statistics
In many countries state support for agriculture methods as: grouping method, table method,
is a widely spread practice. In the opinion of regression analysis and others.
many scientists and politicians, the market can
cause harm to agriculture and food supply RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
when the state relies on its forces only. The
specific reasons for the above mentioned are: For Moldova, as other countries in transition
the high risks of agricultural production, the to market economy, leaded to different
long production period, difficult access to problems concerning changes in ownership
loans, the large demand for assets in turn- relations, transition from a planned economy
over. In the conditions when state support for to market, adaptation of the agro-industrial
agriculture is missing, may be over-used the complex components to the new conditions
natural resources, causing harm to (market), the development of market
environment, becoming unable to meet infrastructure, investments process etc.
quality standards and leaving many people at The agricultural policies promoted during the
the edge of hunger. last decade followed some objectives,
common for transition economies, being used
MATERIAL AND METHODS a number of actions aimed at stopping the
further degradation of the agri-food sector.
The aim of this study is to analyze the The financial resources allocated from
evolution of subsidies allocations in governmental budget were oriented in
Moldova’s agricultural sector and the impact financiering, mostly partially, some programs
of subsidies on agricultural outputs and for supporting agricultural producers,
profits. The study was based on the data subsidizing of production risks in agriculture,
provided by the National Bureau of Statistics, supporting the grape production and wine
the Agency for Interventions and Payments in making sector etc.
Agriculture, as well as collected data from the
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Therefore, in 2007 were elaborated the to the agricultural crops, animal species, area,
National Strategy for Sustainable size of livestock etc.) [3].
Development of the agro-industrial complex Until 2010, the subsidizing fund was
until 2015, being reflected the main strategic administrated by 4 institutions (about 70% of
objectives of sustainable development of the the fund’s resources being administrated by
agri-food sector and the policies needed for the Ministry of Agriculture). Therefore, being
the implementation of these objectives, as noticeable a number of deviations from the
well being elaborated a plan of actions for Conception of agricultural producers
accomplishing the proposed objectives. This subsidizing system. Among these could be
includes at the national level an amount of mentioned that the resources of the fund are
political, economical and social actions distributed randomly through the country, and
oriented to the development of the agri-food the lack of transparency in their distribution
sector, having as major goal the insurance of a (no lists of beneficiaries, members of
sustainable growth in the agricultural sector, subsidies distribution committees) [1].
improvement of living conditions in rural In 2010 were created the Agency of
areas through the increase of competitiveness Interventions and Payments in Agriculture,
and productivity of the given sector [2]. being the only institution responsible for the
One of the key elements of the governmental administration of the subsidizing fund
policy is the state support to the agricultural resources. By this, were solved the previous
sector. The aim of subsidies allocation existing problems, being published the lists of
problem is to increase benefits form beneficiaries, the lists of demands on specific
governmental support while bringing the subsidies direction etc.
related negative effects to a minimum, According to the data provided by the Agency
particularly in countries which are facing in of Interventions and Payments in Agriculture
the same time with low competitiveness of in 2010 had increased the amount of subsidies
agricultural production and scare accumulated allocated to households, holding a share of
capital that could be used for reconstruction of 27% from the fund’s resources.
the sector. 1%

In 2007 was adopted the Conception of 2%

27%
subsidizing agricultural producers until 2015 3%

with the aim to elaborate and implement a

new mechanism for subsidizing farmers,
being increased the number of destinations for 60%

the allocation of financial resources thus

leading to the achievement of governmental Households LLC
JSC Individual f arms
objectives for economic growth and poverty business cooperatives
reduction. According to this, the subsidies
Fig. 1: The distribution of subsidies among legal forms,
granted to farmers are oriented into two 2010
priority direction: the modernization of the Concerning the amount of the subsidies from
agricultural sector (by the creation and budget during the last three years, is necessary
manipulation of processing units for to mention, that the largest share is taken by
agricultural production, the endowment with the crop production (about 60% in 2009),
technical equipment and machinery, insurance followed by other subsidies for the agro-
with agricultural raw materials, creation of industrial complex, and the subsidies for
new vineyards etc.) and the performing livestock sector with the smallest share (being
activities inside the crop production and insignificantly increased in 2009 with about
livestock sector (oriented towards the increase 3% compared to 2007).
of productivity and competitiveness, insurance Among the directions for which had been
of country’s food security and fair incomes for allocated the funds, the largest share belongs
farmers by offering direct payments according to subsidizing of plant protection products and

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fertilizers users (about 40% in 2008, 16% - 90000
2009). It is noticeable an increase in the share 80000

of meanings for stimulating the capital 70000

60000
investments inside the subsidizing fund (e.g. 50000

subsidizing sugar beet producers). 40000

30000
According to the data from table 1, is 20000

noticeable that the amount of allocated 10000

0
subsidies had increased by 50 times in the North South UTA
Gagauzia
analyzed period. The largest share belongs to
subsidizing agricultural producers (67,8%). Crop production Livestock

Nevertheless, the amount of allocated Fig. 2: The amount of subsidies allocated from state
subsidies is still low. budget, by regions (2007-2009), thousands lei
A largest share in subsidies allocation belongs
to crop production, as a result of its high share Analyzing the data from the table 2, is
in the gross agricultural output (about 70%). noticeable that the amounts of subsidies
Concerning its distribution, about 40% of crop allocated are different by groups, and the
production and 34% of livestock subsidies are lowest amount belongs to farms from the first
for the enterprises located in the country’s group. The next groups (from 50-650 lei per
North region (Fig. 2). ha) the amount of subsidies is higher,
Subsidies allocation in the agricultural sector allowing obtaining a profit until 530 lei per
are aimed at supporting the farmers and has a ha. The impact of subsidies is more efficient
positive impact in increasing the amount of for the last group of farms who beneficiate
production, quality etc. Thus, is necessary to from an amount upper than 650 lei per ha and
mention that during 2007-2009 only 53% of thus obtaining better economic results (1522
enterprises were subsidized. lei per ha). This group also has the highest
Table 1: The amount and structure of subsidies during level of profitability – 29,6%. Therefore, is
2005-2009 in the Republic of Moldova more efficient the allocation of subsidies to
Indicators
Years the farms that are carrying out a stable
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Total, mio lei 76,7 72,0 357,5 328,6 413,3 economic and financial activity.
Total, % 100 100 100 100 100
including: Table 2: The impact of the amount of subsidies on the
Subsidies for indicators of economic efficiency of agricultural farms
agricultural of Republic of Moldova in 2007-2009
24888 30733
production and 18675 Groups according to the amount of subsidies per
254 3214
compensation ha, lei
of costs, Indicators Total
50 - 200 - 350 - 500 -
thousands lei >50 >650
200 350 500 650
Share, % 0,3 4,5 7,0 9,4 4,4 Number of
98 282 216 153 111 239 1099
Subsidies for farms
agricultural - - 188287 200158 280265 % from
producers the total 8,9 25 19 14 10 21 100
Share, % - - 52,7 60,9 67,8 number
Compensation Area of
of costs for agricultural
458 603 707 805 881 606 667
planting land per 1
42588 24076
9561 farm, ha
perennial - -
Subsidies
plantations, 27 130 270 422 567 1109 453
per ha, lei
thousands lei
Material
Share, % 55,5 33,4 - - 2,5
costs per 1669 2049 2766 2481 3050 4190 2804
Compensation
ha, lei
of agricultural
Retribution
enterprises per worker, 9344 8935 10064 10548 10689 12515 10693
losses from 7465 9102 lei
natural 30749 43437 41536 Gross
diseases, agricultural
2150 2182 2807 3010 3832 6273 3477
thousands lei product per
Share, % 40,1 60,3 11,6 2,3 2,3 ha, lei
Other Profit per
103 213 232 255 530 1522 518
subsidies, - - 102683 90267 94931 ha, lei
thousands lei Level of
profitability, 0,5 10,9 15,5 12 15,2 29,6 17,7
Share, % - - 28,7 27,5 22,9 %

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The inefficient enterprises can absorb a larger thousands lei will grow the profit with 79
amount of subsidies than the relatively thousands lei, from purchasing plant
efficient farms. Governmental financial protection materials and fertilizers – 31
resources are limited; therefore subsidies thousands lei, and capital investments – 49
should the distributed to the enterprises that thousands lei. Therefore, even when are
will obtain a higher efficiency from its available limited financial resources there are
allocation. possibilities for a better distribution of
The linear regression analysis of the amount resources.
of the allocated subsidies in 2009 and the
profit obtained per ha, shows a quite weak CONCLUSIONS
influence on increasing profits(R=0,37).
1. Subsidies allocation are important for the
According to the obtained results developing of the agricultural sector, but
( y = −54,30 + 2,5 x ) if the subsidies will the existing system does not create
increase with one thousands lei, the profit incentives for the efficient farms activity;
increases with 2,5 thousands lei. 2. Priority for granting subsidies should be
In the table below are presented the results of for those farmers that are carrying out a
the multiple regression, of the influence of stable economic activity and improve their
obtained profits per ha and the main financial situation from beneficiating of
subsidized directions. In the calculus where subsidies, contributing to the increase in
included only those main subsidizing branch efficiency.
directions that allowed to include a maximal
number of enterprises.
The utilized factors demonstrate the REFERENCES
dispersion of the profit at the level of 74%. As [1] Chivriga V., „Sistemul de subvenţionare în
a result of the multiple regression analysis agricultură: situaţia actuală şi perspective”, Institutul
were obtained the next equation: pentru Dezvoltare şi iniţiative Sociale „Viitorul”,
Chişinău 2006, p.15-20.
[2] Monitorul Oficial al Republicii Moldova. 2008, nr.
y= -163,3-11,05 x 1 + 4,88 x 2 + 0,31x3 + 0,46 x 4 57-60 nr. 282 din 11 martie 2008 - Hotărârea
Table 3. The influence of main coefficients of multiple Guvernului Republicii Moldova cu privire la aprobarea
regression Strategiei naţionale de dezvoltare durabilă a
Dependent complexului agroindustrial al Republicii Moldova
2 Independent
Variable R variables
B Beta (2008-2015), p. 20-41.
R
(Y) [3] Monitorul Oficial Nr. 188-191 art Nr: 1356 -
Subsidizing sugar
beet producers -11,05 -0,26
Hotărârea Guvernului Nr. 1305 din 28.11.2008 cu
(X1) privire la aprobarea Concepţiei sistemului de
Subsidizing subvenţionare a producătorilor agricoli pentru anii
establishments of
multiannual
4,88 0,79 2008-2015.
plantations (X2)
Profit per ha 0,86 0,74 Subsidizing
purchasing plant
protection 0,31 0,14
materials and
fertilizers (X3)
Subsidies for
capital 0,46 0,49
investments (X4)

The carried regression analysis demonstrates

that not all the subsidized directions are
efficient. The highest impact on profits has
the subsidizing of establishment multiannual
plantations (0,79) and subsidizing capital
investments (0,5). The results shows that
increasing the amount of subsidies for
establishing multiannual plantations with one
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IS RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN SLOVENIA REALLY
SUSTAINABLE?

Tomaž CUNDER 1, Matej BEDRAC 2

1
B.Sc. geogr., Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Department of Agricultural Economics,
Hacquetova 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Phone:+386-28-05-110, Fax:+386-28-05-255 e-mail:
tomaz.cunder@kis.si
2
B.Sc. agriculture., Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Department of Agricultural Economics,
Hacquetova 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Phone:+386-28-05-225, Fax:+386-28-05-255 e-mail:
matej.bedrac@kis.si

Corresponding author :tomaz.cunder@kis.si

Abstract

Slovenia defined its basic goals of agricultural policy by adopting Strategy of Slovenian Agriculture in 1993. The
“eco- social orientation” of development of agriculture had been decided. The main objective of Slovenian
agricultural policy was permanent increase of competitiveness in accordance with social and environmental
functions of agriculture. In the paper the implementation of the Rural development programme 2007-2013 is
analysed. According to the analysis of the programme priorities it is possible to conclude that at least at strategic
level all components of sustainable development are considered. An analysis of the implementation of the measures
shows that there is great imbalance between the strategic goals and actual implementation of the programme. In the
first three years of the implementation majority of the funds were allocated to the measures which pursuing
economic and environmental components of sustainable development while the measures which pursuing social and
especially spatial aspects lagging behind.

Keywords: agricultural policy, rural development, sustainability, Slovenia

INTRODUCTION objectives of agricultural policy were defined.

The strategy emphasizes the eco-social role of
Slovenia is a small European country with agriculture and its main goals were stable
above average share of rural areas. According production of cheap and quality food, the
to OECD classification 77% of the entire preservation of population density in the
national territory is designed as rural areas countryside, permanent increase of
and has around 40% of total population [5]. competitiveness and guaranteed parity income
Despite this classification agriculture for agricultural producers [1]. These
contributes relatively small share to objectives have to be achieved so that
Slovenia’s GDP. Over the last fifteen years agriculture plays its economic, spatial,
this share has declined from around 5% in environmental and social role.
1990 to 1.1% in 2008. Despite the small share
in GDP agriculture has always played an MATERIAL AND METHODS
important role in the development of rural
areas. The paper consists of three parts. General
Agriculture in Slovenia has a much wider role objectives of Slovene agricultural policy and
than just production of food. Apart from its the basic characteristics of rural areas in
production function, agriculture encompasses Slovenia are presented in the first part.
other functions such as the preservation of the Second part comprehends a qualitative
rural landscape, the protection of the analysis to determine to what extent
environment and contribution to the viability individual measures pursuing economic,
of rural areas. environmental, spatial and social aspects of
In 1993 Slovenia adopted Strategy of integrated rural development. In the third part
Slovenian Agriculture where long-term the implementation of the measures in
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Slovenian Rural development Programme additional income from off- farm sources.
2007-2013 is analysed. The paper is based on According to the data from Farm Structure
desk research drawing from literature, Survey in 2007 about 4% of agricultural
legislation, programming documents and holdings were diversified in other economic
available research studies. All data for activities. The prevailing supplementary
analysis are gathered from the Slovenian activities on farms are machinery services,
legislation, Statistical Office of the Republic food and wood processing and rural tourism.
of Slovenia and the Ministry of Agriculture, As already noticed above rural areas in
Forestry and Food. Slovenia have important social function.
There are over 6.000 settlements and only 55
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS of them are considered as urban [2].
Relatively unfavourable natural conditions
Basic characteristics of rural areas in result in dispersed settlement and large
Slovenia number of small settlements, since only 16
Klemencic et al. describe five characteristics has more than 10.000 inhabitants. Slovenia is
which are important for sustainable rural relatively sparsely populated. Almost 60 % of
development. They are: demography, the total population lives in densely populated
economy, structure of agricultural holdings, basins and walleyes, while in hilly part
environment and social aspect [3]. prevails small settlements with mostly aging
Slovenia has unfavourable demographic population. There is strong correlation
structure in rural areas. Out-migration of between rural areas with the lowest
young people and large percentage of people population density and the size of the
above 65 years have negative impact on settlements.
sustainable development. According to the
results of the latest agricultural sample census Rural development Programme 2007-2013
the number of family members on agricultural Slovenia implements its rural development
holdings decreased from 323 thousands in the policy through Rural Development
year 2000 to 258 thousands in the year 2007. Programme 2007-2013 (RDP). Its primary
Almost 60% of holders of family farms are purpose is promotion of sustainable rural
older than 55 years. development. In this programming period
There is strong connection between the within four development axis 21 measures in
development level of the region and the share total amount of 1.177 millions of € is
of agriculture. Regional disparities are bigger implemented. The following table shows
in the regions with the higher share of distribution between different axes of the
agriculture. Although agriculture contributes programme [4,8].
less than 2% to Slovenia’s GDP it is still an
important economic activity, especially in the Table 1: Financial plan by axes in the period 2007-
regions where there is the lack of other 2013
Development axis Total (€) Share (%)
employment possibilities.
Axis 1: 402.023,2 34,2
Unfavourable size structure and low level of Axis 2: 592.890,8 50,4
specialization of agricultural production Axis 3: 136.308,0 11,6
Axis 4: 33.760,0 2,9
remains the greatest difficulties of agricultural Tehnical assistance 12.003,6 1,0
sector in Slovenia. According to the Total 1.176.985,6 100,0
Source Rural Development Programme Slovenia 2007-2013
preliminary results of the latest agricultural
census (2010) there are around 75.000
agricultural holdings in Slovenia and the The planned division of the public funds
average size of agricultural holdings is 6.3 between the different axes of the programme
hectares of utilised agricultural area. shows that 34 % is devoted for Axis 1
Slovenian farms are too small in a view to measures. Measures in Axis 2 will get more
ensuring enough income for all family than half of available funds, while 11% is
members. Almost 75% of farm holders earn devoted for Axis 3 measures. Approximately
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3% of available funds are devoted to the their characteristics and contents. In the first
implementation of LEADER axis. group are measures which reduce the negative
The measures and activities under axis 1 are impacts of agriculture on the environment (7
aimed at improving the competitiveness of measures). Second group of measures is
agriculture and forestry sector. The range of directed to the preservation of nature,
measures includes farm modernisation, biodiversity, soil fertility and traditional
strengthening human potential and improving cultural landscape (8 measures). The third
the quality of agricultural products. group of measures under agri.-environmental
Among the measures of the 1st axis are three payments ensures maintenance of protected
measures which are pursuing mainly social areas (6 measures).
component of sustainable development: Measures under Axis 3 are dedicated to
Training for persons engaged in agriculture improve the quality of life in rural areas and
and forestry, Supporting young farmers and promote the diversification of economic
Early retirement for farmers. These measures activities. Lack of other employment
improve education structure and possibilities outside the agriculture and poor
employability in agriculture and agri-food traffic infrastructure causes depopulation of
industry. rural areas. Especially in the remote region
Second group of measures under this axis are this could lead to the abandonment of
aimed at upgrading and restructuring of agriculture production and overgrowing of
agricultural holdings and pursuing agriculture land. Activities under 3rd Axis are
predominantly economic component of divided into two groups. In the first group are
sustainable development. two measures which promote the
Third group of measures under this axis are diversification of income and creation of jobs
intended to improve the quality of agricultural in rural areas. In the second group are
and agri-food products with incentives for measures which improve the quality of life in
inclusion of producers in food quality rural areas. They are aimed at improving
schemes. living conditions in rural areas and to
Axis 2 is dedicated to improve the conservation and upgrading of rural heritage.
environment and the countryside. In the frame Most of the funds are devoted to investments
of this axis are implemented compensatory for creation and development of micro
allowances for Less Favourite Areas (LFA) enterprises, especially on the field of tourism.
and agri-environmental payments. Slovenia The development of micro enterprises is
has unfavourable conditions for intensive particularly important in remote areas with
agricultural production since there is around limited employment opportunities.
85% of total area considered as LFA areas. Under 4th axis of Rural Development
The main objective of LFA payments are Programme Slovenia implements local
prevention of agricultural land from development strategies which are based on
abandonment, maintenance of cultural endogenous development potentials and
landscapes and retention of settlement on the active role of local communities.
countryside. The LEADER axis is important in terms of
Second group of measures under 2nd axis are including wider sector of the population in the
agri- environmental payments which are programme and promoting public-private
aimed at the implementation of the partnerships in promoting rural development.
environmental friendly practices, promotion Grants are set aside for building local
of agricultural production compliant to the partnerships, promoting cooperation and
consumer’s demands as well as human health, innovation, as well as improving local
assuring sustainable utilisation of natural management. The main objective of the
resources and supporting the conservation of LEADER approach is integrated rural
biodiversity and characteristics of the development on a local level. In this
Slovenian landscape. The measures are programming period Slovenia has 33 Local
divided into three main groups which define
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Action Groups, which covers 97% of rural More than half of all applications were
areas and 94% of rural population [7]. approved for the measure Modernisation of
According to the analysis of the priorities in agricultural holdings where prevail
National Strategy Plan and the measures in investments in stables and purchase of
the Rural Development Programme 2007- agricultural machinery.
2013 it is possible to conclude that at least at The beneficiaries for LFA and agri-
strategic level all components of sustainable environmental measures are granted at the
development are considered. The qualitative basis of Decree on payments for measures of
assessment of sustainable development is axis 2 from the Rural Development Plan for
presented in the Table 2. the Republic of Slovenia. They have to file
the claims on an application form which is
Table 2: Qualitative assessment of sustainable also used for submitting claims of first pillar
development at the level of development axis of RDP of the CAP. It appears that LFA payments in a
2007-2013
Development Aspects of sustainable development great extent pursuing all aspects of sustainable
axis Economic Social Environment. Spatial development. According to the data from the
Axis 1: XXX XX X X
Axis 2: XX X XXX XXX
Agency for Agricultural Markets and Rural
Axis 3: XXX XX XX XX Development over 48 thousands agricultural
Axis 4: XX XX XXX XX holdings participated in the LFA scheme.
Almost 42 millions of € were spent for over
Implementation of Rural development 320 thousands of hectares of utilised
Programme 2007-2013
agricultural area in year 2009.
The implementation of the measures under 1st
Compensatory allowances for Less Favoured
axis is conducted through public tenders. In
Areas considerably contribute to income of
the first three years of the implementation 32
farmers in handicap areas. In connection with
public tenders for all 10 measures were
basic criteria of good farming practice, the
published. Altogether 3.464 applications were
measure contributes to preservation of
approved in the total amount over 141
agricultural land and therefore improves the
millions of € which represents 35% of
environmental functions. The measure has a
available funds for the whole programming
positive social impact on sustained presence
period. In the Table 2 available funds for the
of farmers with lower population density [6].
whole programming period and share of
Approximately 38 millions of € has been
already allocated funds according to available
spent on agri-environment schemes in 2009.
funds for individual measures are presented
Area included in the implementation of agri
[4,8] .
environment measures is slightly decreasing.
Table 3: Available funds for the Axis 1 and absorption
In 2009, these measures affected 284
in the period 2007-2009 thousands hectares of agricultural land while
Axes 1 Measures
Available Absorption in 2008 their extent was 323 thousand
(000 €) (%)
Training in agriculture 10.070,2 0,3
hectares. In 2009, the most important
Supporting young farmers 35.253,2 52,8 measures were Sustainable rearing of
Early retirement of farmers 38.097,9 25,2 domestic animals and Greening of arable land
Modernisation of holdings 90.872,3 55,1
Improving economic value of forests 24.939,3 99,1 which covered 139 thousands of hectares.
Adding value to agricultural products 93.172,0 36,1 The absorption of agri environmental
Improvin and developing infrastructure 43.633,9 15,6
Participation in food quality schemes 16.069,0 0,4 measures is still relatively good in spite of the
Supporting producer groups 6.619,3 61,4 decrease in the year 2009. The decrease is a
Supporting setting up of producer group 1.471,5 13,8
Source: Rural Development Programme Slovenia 2007-2013 and
result of finished 5 years contracts from the
Annual report about the situation in agriculture 2009 previous programming period and some
farmers didn’t conclude new contracts.
The biggest absorption of funds has been for Agri-environmental measures definitely have
the following measures: Improving economic a positive influence on the environment,
value of forests, Supporting producer groups whether by decreasing the negative impact of
and Modernisation of agricultural holdings. agriculture or through maintaining the current
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state. They are aimed at long-term contribute to demographic development and
improvement of natural resources in Slovenia. education of local inhabitants.
Agri-environmental measures have also An analysis of the implementation shows that
positive impact on improvement of skills and there is great imbalance between the strategic
qualifications for the implementation of goals and actual implementation of the
sustainable agricultural practises [6]. programme. In the first three years of the
The implementation of the measures under 3st implementation majority of the funds were
axis is also conducted through public tenders. allocated to the measures which pursuing
In the first three years of the implementation economic and environmental components of
12 public tenders for all 4 measures were sustainable development while the measures
published. Altogether 425 applications were which pursuing social and especially spatial
approved in the total amount of almost 39 aspects legging behind.
millions of € which represents 31% of
available funds for the whole programming CONCLUSIONS
period.
Based on the results of our assessment and
Table 4: Available funds for the Axis 3 and absorption allocated funds in the first three years of the
in the period 2007-2009 implementation of the programme it may be
Available Absorption
Axes 3 Measures concluded that:
(000 €) (%)
Diversification into non agricultural
31.551,0 40,9 1.On the strategic level sustainable
activities
Support for the creation of micro development of rural areas represents one of
55.520,1 32,6
enterprises the main Slovenian development orientations.
Village renewal
and development
30.259,0 21,2 2. The majority of available funds are devoted
Conservation and upgrading of the rural
14.709,0 8,5 to the promotion of environmentally friendly
heritage
Source Rural Development Programme Slovenia 2007-2013
farming and improving economic efficiency
and competitiveness of agricultural
Throughout the programme period over 40% production. For the measures which in a great
of available funds for the measure extent pursuing social and spatial functions of
Diversification into non agricultural activities sustainable development only 20% of all
has been allocated. Almost half of all funds are available.
applications under 3rd axis were approved for 3. The LFA payments are pursuing all aspects
the measure Support for the creation of micro of sustainable development. The new system
enterprises where investments in wood for delimitation the less favoured areas which
processing industry are prevailing. The assess individual agricultural holdings
absorption of funds within this axis is particularly emphasises spatial aspect of
relatively low due to the fact that all measures sustainable development.
except the measure Diversification into non 4. Despite of relatively small amount of
agricultural activities were carried out for the available funds for horizontal LEADER axis
first time. Applications are often incomplete those measures have great impact in local
or poorly prepared and applicants have a lot capacity building and inter-sectoral
of difficulties with administrative procedures cooperation. These are crucial for integrated
and acquisition of the data from official and sustainable rural development in
records. Slovenia.
The implementation of the 4th axis is carried
out through Annual implementation plans REFERENCES
which are prepared by Local action groups.
By the end of 2009 396 projects in the total [1] MAFF, 1992, Strategy of Slovenian Agriculture,
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food,
amount over 12 millions € were approved. Ljubljana, 88 p.
Majority of the projects contribute to 3rd axis
and only few of them contribute to 1st and 2nd
axis of RDP. A lot of projects directly
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[2] Potocnik Irma , 2001, Geographical aspect of rural
areas: Transformation in Slovenia, Bulletin de la
Société géographique de Liège no. 41, p. 69-76
[3] Klemenčič, M., Lampič, B., Perpar, A., Potočnik
Slavič, I., Slabe, A. 2005. Ciljni raziskovalni program
“Konkurenčnost Slovenije 2001-2006”, Strukturni
problemi in razvojni izzivi slovenskega podeželja v
evropski razsežnosti: končno poročilo. Ljubljana:
Oddelek za geografi jo, Filozofska fakulteta,
Biotehniška fakulteta, Inštitut za trajnostni razvoj.
[4] MAFF, Rural Development Program of the
Republic of Slovenia 2007-2013, 2007, Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Ljubljana, 323 p.
[5] MAFF, National Strategy Plan for Rural
Development 2007-2013, 2007, Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Ljubljana, 55 p.
[6] Cunder Tomaz, 2006, The role of rural development
policy in environmental and land management in
Slovenia, in 1st International Conference on
Agriculture and Rural Development. Competitiveness,
multifunctionality and sustainability: a new perspective
for agriculture and rural areas in Central and Eastern
Europe : conference proceedings, Topusko, Croatia,
November 23 - 25,p1-7
[7] BEDRAČ Matej, CUNDER Tomaž, 2010,
"LEADER" approach and local development strategies
in Slovenia. in FIELDSEND, Andrew (ur.). Linking
competitiveness with equality and sustainability : new
ideas for the socio-economic development of rural
areas, (Rural areas and development, 7). Debrecen:
University of Debrecen, Centre of Agricultural
Sciences and Engineering and Institute of Agricultural
and Food Economics - National Research Institute, p.
245-256
[8] VOLK, Tina, REDNAK, Miroslav, CUNDER,
Tomaž, BEDRAČ, Matej, PINTAR, Marjeta, MOLJK,
Ben, ZAGORC, Barbara, ZEMLJIČ, Andrej, ŠKOF,
Mojca. Poročilo o stanju kmetijstva, živilstva in
gozdarstva v letu 2009
[9] SORS, 2010, Economic accounts for agriculture,
Slovenia, 2008, Rapid reports, Statistical office of the
Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, 20 p.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF ECOMARKETING IN DEVELOPING OF
ECOTOURISM IN ROMANIA

Cristian CUTAŞ 1, Petrică ŞTEFAN 2 , Silviu GHEORGHE3

1
General Division of Foreign Relations - Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business
Environment, 16, Ion Câmpineanu, sect. 1, 010036, Bucharest, Romania, Ph: +40.21.401.0564,
Fax: +40.21.315.0961, cristian.cutas@dce.gov.ro
2
University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, No. 59, Blvd. Marasti, sect. 1,
011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232, 0723554321, Fax: + 40 21318 28
88, stefanmarian2004@yahoo.com
3
University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, No. 59, Blvd. Marasti, 011464,
Bucharest, Romania, (+49) 021/2242815, 0764-501.690, tulcea@antrec.ro

Corresponding author : cristian.cutas@dce.gov.ro

Abstract

Ecotourism appeared in order to satisfy the people’s need to retreat in the middle of nature and to visit and know
natural areas still unaffected or little affected by man’s presence and activity. The first steps in developing
ecotourism have already been made: the protected areas perimeters have been established, most of them (26 out of
28) have their own administrative structures, projects have started to develop for the conservation, the development
of (eco)tourism or for raising awareness at local level. For most protected areas, management plans have been
elaborated, certain good practices models have been created. Ecomarketing deals with promoting these products
and services. It promotes the products and services which have ecological benefits and low impact on the
environment, in other words „eco” characteristics. Nevertheless, in Romania there are still many things to improve
in this domain.

Keywords: ecotourism, ecomarketing, „eco” products and services, ecological benefits.

INTRODUCTION living in the surrounding area, their needs,

culture and relationship with the land.
The year 2002, as the International Year of
Ecotourism [Nistoreanu and collaborators MATERIAL AND METHODS
2003], generated a series of activities
worldwide, the most important of which were In 2020, at national level, famous ecotourist
regional conferences and the World destinations will be created, which will
Ecotourism Summit. Within it was stated that contribute to the improvement in the local
ecotourism is a clear way to actually communities’ life, to protecting and
implement sustainable development, the preserving natural resources and to providing
summit ended with the Quebec Declaration, quality tourist services. All these actions will
document which synthesises the role and turn Romania into an internationally
impact of ecotourism on the environment, acknowledged ecotourist destination.
local communities, economic and social General objective:
activities in general. To create the conditions for the development
Ecotourism [Swanson] means travelling most of ecotourism at the level of protected areas
often to emerging countries towards relatively and in their neighbouring areas, aiming at
undisturbed natural areas in order to study, achieving a tourist product that is competitive
relax or for voluntary assistance aimed at the nationally and internationally.
flora, fauna, geological structures and The national strategy for the development of
ecosystems in an area, as well as the people ecotourism was developed based on a set of
priority domains.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS order to obtain a database necessary in
substantiating the decisions of all the actors
Strategic actions for the development of involved in this type of tourism, office
ecotourism in Romania research, surveys, field research, etc., may be
The objectives 1 identified for the achievement organised as follows:
of the general objective are presented in figure
no. 1

1. Market Actions associated with

research in objective 1
order

Action no. 1.1. Action no. 1.2.

Gathering the Creating and managing
4.Ecotouris 2. The information in order to the database
t product improveme create the database
promotion Objectives nt

Fig. 2. Actions associated with objective 1

 performing market research: a market

3. segmentation survey; image surveys
Streamlinin on the target markets; performing
g the
ecotourist surveys on the demand pattern and
distribution, the consumer’s profile
(motivation, needs, social categories,
Fig. 1. Objectives of Ecotourism Development Strategy what is expected from a destination,
how much they are willing to pay)
Objective no. 1. To intensify the market etc.; the analysis of the competition
research activity in order to create a database (supplied products, weaknesses,
available toall the organisations involved in strengths, competitive edge, etc.);
ecotourism which will facilitate the decision-  the analysis of the existing ecotourist
making process. product – identifying each
In order to achieve this objective, the destination’s weaknesses/strengths,
following actions will be identified, as shown identifying the
in figure 2. differentiation/uniqueness elements,
Action no. 1.1. Gathering the information in identifying ways to develop/diversify
order to create the database the ecotourist product/experience,
Action description: identifying the products that will be
In order to maximise the marketing research promoted at international level at the
contribution, regardless of its type, to the first stage of the promotion strategy;
decision-making process, this complex  the periodic control of the
activity must be organised most carefully, effectiveness of the mechanisms
based on the same management principles as implemented through the strategy;
in the case of other marketing activities. In  establishing a protocol with the
National Institute of Statistics for the
1
INCDT – The National Institute for Research and Development in provision of periodical data on the
Tourism, “The National Strategy for the Development of Ecotourism
in Romania, Stage II, THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE destinations with ecotourist potential;
DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURSIM IN ROMANIA”, November,  the periodical update of the data and
2009
results obtained, the performance of
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new research required by the market Action no. 2.1. Creating integrated ecotourist
evolution. products/programmes
The results to be obtained from this action Action description
are: surveys, reports, statistical data will be Cooperation among the local actors is the key
obtained and it will be possible for all the to success in an effective ecotourist activity.
actors involved in the ecotourist activity to Each of them may specialise in a certain
access them; knowledge of the realities of the direction but only together can they provide a
market we target and the accurate complete and competitive tourist package.
substantiation of the decisions that will be Under these conditions, it is necessary to take
made about the ecotourist product; the an integrated approach to both the tourist
availability of statistical data that quantify the supply and the way in which it is organised in
tourist flow recorded in national/natural parks; order to create diversified tourist programmes
better planning of the visitors’ management with a slower visitation rate, which polarise
activities in protected natural areas. the main resources within the destination.
The monitoring indicators targeted at this The ecotourist product within a destination
stage are: the number of reports, the number may be integrated in unitary concept by
of surveys, monitoring indicator sheet, means of:
number of work meetings, participant lists, -Developing a unitary slogan and logo at
number of systems monitoring the visitor destination level, elements which will be used
flows created. Number of parks which in all the promotional activities at destination
implemented visitor flows monitoring level. In addition, a park brand may be
systems. developed, by means of which the products
Possible funding sources for this action: The and services provided within the destination
Ministry of Tourism, The Ministry of may be marketed;
Environment. -Creating innovative ecotourist products at
Action no. 1.2. Creating and managing the destination level. They will be created in close
database cooperation among the factors involved, and
Action description within these products, all the tourist
The actual creation of the portal comprising opportunities provided by the destination will
the database implies the performance of the be used – hiking and activities in the open
following sub-actions: (rafting, canoe, horse riding, climbing,
-creating the database in electronic format observing animals, bicycle rides, tour skiing,
with password-based access for the etc.), visiting tourist sheep farms, visiting
organisations involved in the ecotourist cultural sights, participating in agricultural
activity; and craftsman activities within the local
-managing the database; households, participating in local events etc.
The results of performing this action: an The targeted results: individualising each
electronic archive, easily accessible (it may be ecotourist destination by providing
hosted by the Ministry of Tourism or characteristic products, guaranteeing the fact
separately). Links to this archive may be that the products and services provided are
introduced on the websites of all the protected created at local level; providing higher
areas and of other organisations whose main accessibility to an integrated ecotourist
activity objective is ecotourism. product (natural area and tourist sights in the
The monitoring indicators are: database/portal area surrounding the parks), increasing the
in the interval 2011-2013, the number of activity range will lead to increasing the
visits/number of persons to which the tourists’ satisfaction and the number of days
information was disseminated in a 10-year they spend within the destination.
interval, 2011-2021. Possible funding sources: Monitoring indicators for this action: the
The Ministry of Tourism. number of destinations that developed local
Objective no.2. The improvement in the brands; the number of local products
tourist experience quality promoted under the umbrella of one brand;
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the number of issued access permits and raise the national tour operators’ awareness of
ecotourist cards; the number of national / the advantages of distributing the ecotourist
natural parks using the ecotourist cards product by means of organising workshops
system (completion period 2011-2013); the and study tours;
number of tourist programmes promoted at The targeted results: tour operators will
destination level (long term 2011-2021). become much more interested in creating and
Possible funding sources 2: APN, ADE, APN, distributing ecotourist programmes, thus
ANTREC, ANAT, AER, ADE, APL contributing to the development of the market,
Objective no. 3. Streamlining the ecotourist of the supply, and also to increasing this
distribution network product’s visibility.
In order to achieve this objective, the Monitoring indicators: the number of events
following actions will be identified, as organised for tour operators;
resulting from figure no. 3: The completion interval: 2011 – 2014
Possible funding sources: The Ministry of
Tourism
Actions associated with Action no. 3.2 Developing the ecotourist
objective 3
product distribution system
Action description: In order to define the
distribution means, the selection and
establishment of the number of agents, the
ecotourist destination must start from the size
Action no. 3.1. Action no. 3.2. of its activity in general and from the
Stimulating the Developing the
expansion of the national ecotourist product distribution ones on certain markets in
tour operators network distribution system particular, so that next, according to them, it
distributing ecotourist will be able to select the most advantageous
strategic option. An evolution tendency of the
tourist products and services distribution aims
Fig. 3. Actions associated with objective 3
at involving the specialised suppliers and
Action description agents more visibly in using the opportunities
In order to maximise the marketing research provided by the new communication
contribution, regardless of its type, to the technologies.
decision-making process, this complex -Establishing partnerships with foreign tour
activity must be organised most carefully. operators specialised in niche tourism and
Action no.3.1. Stimulating the expansion of ecotourism;
the national tour operators network -Establishing partnerships with organisations
distributing ecotourist products promoting foreign ecotourism.
Action description: Targeted results: increasing visibility and the
Distribution ensures, by means of selling and access to an impressive mass of potential
buying, the market use of ecotourist products customers; increasing the number of tourist
and, at the same time, their availability to packages sold.
consumers. Monitoring indicators: the number of
In order to implement this action, the established partnerships; the number of
following activities may be initiated so as to booking systems set up; the number of
systems adhered to; the number of ecotourist
2
packages sold after the implementation of
APN – National / Natural Park / Biosphere Reserve Administration these measures/the sales evolution;
ADE – (Eco)tourism Development Associations
ANTREC - ANTREC – The National Rural, Ecological and Completion interval: 2011 - 2013
Cultural Tourism Association
ANAT – The Romanian National Association of Travel Agents
Possible funding sources 3: MT, ANAT, POR
AER – The Ecotourism Association in Romania Axis 5 Domain 5.3.
APL – Local Public Administrations
3
MT – The Ministry of Tourism
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Objective no. 4. Promoting the ecotourist and exhibitions; the number of visitors to the
product at national and international level stand.
Promotion will be made both at central level The completion interval for this activity:
(on the Ministry of Tourism initiative), and at 2011-2021.
local level (on the initiative of (eco)tourism Possible funding sources: MT, POR Axis 5
development agencies) Domain 5.3.
Action no.4.1. Achieving the plan and the Action no.4.2. Taking promotional actions at
promotion campaign ecotourist destination level
Action description: At central level, the Action description: In the future, at local
ecotourist product will be integrated in the level, the (eco)tourism development
national tourism promotion campaigns. associations (ADE) will play a decisive role in
Romania will be promoted as ecotourist managing the activities promoting the
destination, as well as the ecotourist destination. The campaigns will target both
destinations that are to be certified; also the individual consumers and the specialised
promoting ecotourist programmes and even agents.
guesthouses or agricultural producers actually Within this action the following measures
supporting the ecotourist offer. may be taken:
-In order to implement the action, the -performing outdoor advertising: advertising
following are suggested: posters, banners.
-To create special section within the Ministry -producing print-outs: brochures, fliers, maps,
of Tourism promotion website dedicated to guides, calendars, postcards;
ecotourism. This section must be created in a -creating or optimising the parks’ websites,
logical and attractive structure to increase the creating their own websites for the
degree of accessibility. (eco)tourism development associations.
-To design an advertising campaign; emphasis -participating to specific promotional events
will be laid on generating materials in in the country and abroad (tourism fairs,
specialised publications because it is special showrooms, topic-based seminars);
considered that for this type of tourism the -the annual organisation of a seminar on
other media are not as effective; topics such as ecotourism, sustainable
-Making a public relations campaign; development, environmental protection.
Targeted results: making it possible for Targeted results: informing the potential
consumers and the general public to find out ecotourist; boosting the fame of the
about Romania as an ecotourist destination destination; stimulating the desire to consume
and about its products, services and brands; and to purchase; increasing the number of
creating a favourable attitude to the ecotourist ecotourists; knowing and anticipating the
destination Romania, to the type of tourism, to trends of the market and of its specific
nature and to preserving the natural segments; creating a positive image at market
environment; influencing the purchase and level, among the consumers and the media;
consumption behaviour; developing long-term the possibility to contact various suppliers,
functional relationships with the media, which service providers and end consumers.
will improve Romania’s overall image as an Monitoring indicators: the number of
ecotourist destination. posters/banners; the number of printed
Monitoring indicators: section within he materials; the number of websites
promotional portal; the number of visits to the created/optimised; the number of
portal; the number of brochures, flyers, participations to events; the number of
hoardings, posters; the tourist guide; the participants to events, the number of persons
number of documentaries; the number of exposed to the message; the number of
events; the number of participations to fairs organised events.
Completion interval: 2011-2021
ANAT - The Romanian National Association of Travel Agents
POR – The Regional Operational Programme

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Funding sources 4 : ADE, APN, POR Axis 5 are only a few of the possible future ecotourist
Domain 5.3., POS Environment Axis 4, destinations.
donations. [3] In addition, for the parks in which ecotourism
plays a secondary role (for example, Bucegi
CONCLUSIONS Natural Park, Domogled – Valea Cernei
National Park), it may complete the
In developing ecotourist products we must established types of tourism. Thus, the
take into account that, generally speaking, the problem is that of providing these categories
potential ecotourists have a high education of tourists with new possibilities to spend
level. Therefore, their expectations are much their spare time, increasing the level of using
higher, and creating a product that satisfies the tourist infrastructure and providing the
these expectations is essential. locals with visible sustainable development
For the ecotourist product, we aim at alternatives. [4]
designing a correct marketing, which must
lead to realistic expectations on the part of the REFERENCES
visitors. This implies providing customers
with complete and responsible information [1] Hornoiu Remus Ion Ecotourism – Priority Direction
in the Local Communities’ Sustainable
which leads to increasing their respect for the
Development (2009);
natural and cultural environment of the visited [2] NISTOREANU Puiu, Gabriela TIGU, Delia
areas and the tourists’ satisfaction level. POPESCU, Mihaela PADUREAN, Adela TALPES,
Promotion the ecotourist product will be made Mădălina TALA, Cristina CONDULESCU (2003),
both in a centralised way by means of the Ecotourism and Rural Tourism, ASE;
[3] INCDT – The National Institute for Research and
Ministry of Tourism–promoting Romania as
Development in Tourism, “The National Strategy for
an ecotourist destination, and by means of the Development of Ecotourism in Romania, Stage II,
(eco)tourism development associations which The Strategic Plan For The Development Of
will be created at destination level. Ecotoursim In, November, 2009;
In Romania, we must progress from [4] www.greenmarketing.ro/GREEN Marketing – The
marketing magazine for green products and services.
promoting isolated ecotourist products,
provided by the parks’ administrations or by
specialised tour operators, to developing
ecotourist destinations, within which an
integrated ecotourist product is provides,
resulting from the partnerships established
with the relevant factors and promoted both
through the (eco)tourism development
associations set up at local level, and through
the central public administrations. Basically,
these destinations may be developed on the
structure of the natural or national parks and
of the biosphere reserves, but ecotourist
destinations may also be created in other
natural areas in which the traditional way of
living has been preserved unchanged. Retezat
National Park – Ţara Haţegului Geopark
Natural Park, Danube Delta Biosphere
Reserve, Piatra Craiului National Park,
Maramures Mountains Natural Park, National
Park or Macinului Mountains National Park

4
POS – Sectoral Operational Programme

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DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURISM IN BUZAU COUNTY
Matei-Agathon DAN 1, Petrică ŞTEFAN 2, Silviu GHEORGHE 3

1
Employers Confederation of Industry of Romania CONPIROM, No. 48, Calea Victoriei, sect.
1, 010063, Bucharest, Romania, (+49) 021/3266089, conpirom@yahoo.com
2
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 59, Marasti, 011464, Bucharest,
Romania,+40 021/2242815, 0723554321, stefanmarian2004@yahoo.com.
3
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 59, Marasti, 011464, Bucharest,
Romania, (+49) 021/2242815, (+40) 21 318 25 64/232, 0764-501.690, tulcea@antrec.ro

Corresponding author: conpirom@yahoo.com

Abstract

From a touristic point of view, the Buzau County is situated among the first five counties on a national level.During
the past years, various territorial development initiatives have been finalized such as: roads, water supply and
sewage systems, Roman castrums, spa resorts, touristic and agro-touristic board and lodging etc, that have increased
the number of tourists attracted by the tourist attractions of the county. The hereby theme undertakes to study one of
the most beautiful areas in the country which is very little known by tourists in the same time. This is the ‘Meledic
carst plateau’ in the Buzau County. The aim of this study is to calculate the costs needed for improving the Meledic
Carst Plateau for developing eco-tourism in the Buzau County. The first part of the study analyzes the present
situation in the area, while the next part shows what we would like to improve and finally, the cost calculation of
such an environmental initiative, regardless of who is going to substantiate it: non-governmental organization, local
authority, private legal entity, etc.

Keywords : Environmental initiative, improvement, eco-tourism, carst, plateau.

INTRODUCTION The salt caves in Mânzăleşti form a necklace

comprising: the cave in the Meledic plateau
The Meledic carst plateau is situated in (the most important), the caves in the
Mânzăleşti village, the Buzău county in the Jgheabului hollow integrating 35 big recesses
Curve Sub-Carpathians, in the upper hollow out of which 26 are situated in the Meledic
of the Slănic river (tributary stream of the plateau (Image 1) and 9 in the Jgheabului
Buzău river), between the Slănic river (in the hollow.
south), the Jgheab brook (in the eastern part),
the Meledic brook (to the north) and the Salty
brook (in the western part). The Meledic
plateau is situated 600 m high and it is made
up of clays and slates on the brackish treacle
of a salt massif.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study aimed to present the actual situation
of Buzau county from a tourism point of view
based on observation, comparison, analysis and
synthesis methods. Ecotourism is presented by
means of its characteristics in the area.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
1. PRESENT SITUATION
Image 1. Location of the Meledic Carst Plateau

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The caves have a large diversity of shapes area housing the caves being periodically
followed by a fascinating polychromes affected by the failure of the clay banks that
comprising immaculate white, yellow, pink, cover the salt deposit.
red, brown, grey. Stalactites go up to 1.5 m Presently, the plateau in the Lacul Mare area
long and 30 cm thick on the bottom, often (Big Lake area), under the property of
changing their position from vertical to peaks Mânzăleşti village local authority, is occupied
arranged in broken line (aberrant by the Meledic touristic complex which
stalactites) [2]. comprises 5 wooden lodgings, a dry toilet, a
Stalagmites are short, only a few centimetres mess room with kitchen, a food store, a
high and about 8 cm on the bottom. natural camping area, a stone fireplace, a
The scientific value is complemented by the platform for artistic events with an un-
existence in this area of the turtle and the finished building, ground level designed for
scorpion in a mild climate area. The slopes of tiring rooms and platform enclosures.
the Meledic plateau have deep canyons of 5-6 On the natural slope of the glade in front of
m, 0.5 to 3 m wide and slope failures of 2 m. the platform, there are several rows of
A marvellous place, perfect for those who are wooden benches for the spectators.
looking for relaxation. [2] Annually, this is the location of the Slănicului
festival that has reached its 39th edition, a
2. EXISTING OUTER FACILITIES cultural event that attracts thousands of
The carst Meledic area (Image 2) does not visitors. [4]
comprise underground facilities; therefore all In the northern part of the lake, on a forest
the suggested improvements are exclusively hidden plateau, there is the Meledic board and
on the ground, which allows tourists to come lodging, the only bed and breakfast place in
closer to the tourist attractions and to cover the area. Just between the board and lodging
routes and itineraries facilitating the view of and the glade where there is the touristy
unique landscapes in Romania, the salt carst complex, there is a marked tourist track
being in the same time a rarity all over the stretching to the north and driving you
world. through the forest to three of the most
important caves in the area, situated on the
bottom of some sinkholes with fallen and
insecure banks.

3.PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENT

AND MODERNIZATION
Proposals sight the improvement and
modernization of the tourist complex under
local authority’s property, as well as making
some tourist tracks for visiting the carst
plateau.
The following improvement works will be
carried out in the touristic complex area:
-The existing 5 wooden lodgings will be de-
allocated due to serious ageing, as well as the
dry toilet close to the border of the lake;
-The un-finished ground level building behind
Image 2 – The carst Meledic area
the shows platform will be consolidated, re-
compartmentalized and modernized, turning it
Visiting caves can not be achieved by tourists
into a tourist centre with the following tasks:
due to the special, difficult access conditions
exhibition area with information desk – tourist
and in the same time due to the impossibility
information and shop for selling promotional
of ensuring visitors’ safety, the relief in the
items, maps and tourist guides, souvenirs and
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local handicrafts, administrative building and CONCLUSIONS
toilets for men and women tourists. The
During the past years, the touristic potential of
building will have a wooden framing roof and the Buzau County has increased due to
bolter cover, with a traditional, rustic aspect;
territory improvement initiatives in the tourist
-There will be built a covered terrace on attractions area. There have been modernized
wooden frame on the western part of the
the access ways to the tourist attractions that
existing mess room, oriented towards the lake are unique both in Europe and worldwide, that
(with a capacity of 30 seats) and toilets for is: the Muddy volcanoes, the oil mine in
both men and women, customers of the
Sărata Monteoru, the living fires, as well as
restaurant. those to the wine yard, fruit-growing and spa
-There will be arranged a camping area in the
resorts, monasteries, etc.
eastern part of the glade, in the southern part The water supply and sewage system has been
of the visitors’ centre, made up 14 wooden rehabilitated both in the urban and rural areas.
lodgings with 2 beds and a covered terrace, a
Several voluntary environmental initiatives
camping platform with 7 lanes with 4 tent
taken by non-governmental organizations
places, 4 double fireplaces, a pavilion for
have contributed to the visible decrease of the
toilets and showers for both men and women
waste quantity over flown in forests or
where there will be a septic tank close by,
camping areas, green areas, on roads, in the
BIOSYSTEM type;
waters, etc.
-There will be a parking for 35 cars in the
Following the territory improvement
access area, between the mess room and the
initiatives analyzed in the hereby study,
camping platform;
presently too little known by tourists, this will
-There will be alleyways paved with concrete
lead to increasing the visitors number in the
decorative ecologic tiles leading to all
Buzau county.
envisaged buildings in order to direct the
The scenario presented by us has the
traffic and to protect the landscape and flower
following advantages:
improvements which will fill the areas
-At economic level, this will lead to the
between buildings.
increase of the exploiting level and
In order to visit the carst plateau, it was
capitalizing the natural tourist resources;
suggested to arrange the marked track towards
-At social level, this is aiming for improving
the sinkhole located to the northern part of the
people’s living standard in the areas where
forest (about 500 m) and to make an itinerary
tourism is developing;
on the existing tracks that will be renovated in -At ecological level, this is aiming to
order to visit the Great Coliseum (1,200 m recycling and avoiding the degradation of the
long), starting from the telecommunication
environment where the tourist activity takes
relay located on the highest point of the
place.
plateau (650 m high). In the centre of the
Following these aspects, we suggest
Mânzăleşti village and at the entrances of the
establishing some priorities in furnishing and
carst plateau there will be installed
re-furnishing this objective for a tourist
information boards with the map of the area,
purposes, the selection criteria being the value
the characteristics of the caves and other of the investment, the amount of the tourist
tourist attractions in the neighbourhoods.
traffic, the importance of the attraction from
Also, inside the tourist complex and in the
the tourist resources point of view and the
high interest areas of the itineraries there will
novelty and originality characters of the
be installed panels with the detailed
tourist destination. This way, by applying
description of the surface and underground these criteria to the studied objective, we can
carst phenomena, accompanied by pictures
come to the conclusion that the carst Meledic
and explanatory maps. [3]
plateau represents a non-capitalized area,
which is unique on a national level (carst on
salt, having the world record for the “the

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longest cave in salt”), amazing landscapes,
indedited, easily accessible, fairly low
investment value, without requiring
underground investments. This is situated in
an area with a prspective tourist potential,
with tourist attractions in the neighbourhoods
and resources that can be capitalized through
tourism (salt water springs, thermal waters).
[3]

REFERENCES

[1] Georgescu Emil-Sever (2004), Earthquake zonation

of Romania. Risk evaluation laboratory
Earthquakes and actions in the constructions field –
INCERC, article: www.cutremur.net;
[2] Teodoreanu Elena, Dacos-Swoboda Mariana,
Voiculescu Camelia, Enache L. (1984),
Bio-climate of the spa resorts in Romania, Sports
printing house –Tourism, Bucharest;
[3] Collectively, The Geography Institute of the
Romanian Academy. Research report (2005),
Natural hazards and quality of the environment in the
long-lasting perspective in the Carpathians and the
Curve Carpathians. Science and Scientometry
magazine.
[4] Pre-feasibility study regarding the tourist furnishing
and re-furnishing of some caves. The National Tourism
research and development institute – INCDT
Bucharest.

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EVOLUTION OF TOURISM IN S-W OLTENIA REGION

Manea DRĂGHICI1, Dragos Ion SMEDESCU1

1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, 59 Marasti, sector 1,
011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232, Fax: +40 21318 28 88, Email:
dmprofesor@hotmail.com Fax: +40349 401346, Email: smedescudragos@yahoo.com

Corresponding author : dmprofesor@hotmail.com

Abstract

This paper is a simple pass through the development of tourism in S-W Oltenia region from 1990 to 2009. Were
considered and analyzed: the state of reception capacity in Oltenia region in comparison with the other seven
regions, the situation in the reception capacities Oltenia region, comparison between the counties of components,
development of accommodation capacity from 1990 to 2009, tourist reception with functions Accommodation in the
Oltenia Region 1998 - 2009 and the situation where levels of classification of hotels, from 03/31/2005. In all these
cases conclude that S-W Oltenia region in the early '90s, had a capacity of a five rank among the eight regions and
7th place at the facilities (accommodation). In coming years the situation has not changed much, Oltenia was all
between the last regions to these indicators. It is remarkable that only after 2003, have diversified forms of tourism
and the increased number of accommodation, having been a more intensive development of rural tourism and the
tourist and agro tourism in the region in the year 2009 to 50 respectively 70. Some conclusions are also presented
the idea of a better exploitation of tourism in the area.

Keywords : S-W Oltenia Region, rural tourism , reception capacity

INTRODUCTION

The regional strategy plans, tourism is

considered a priority development programs
taking into account both existing resources
and finding new ones, coupled with the
necessity of achieving economic and social
connections in the region. Valcea
We refer to S-W Oltenia region, a region that, Gorj
Mehedinti
due to its geographical position offers Dolj Olt
multiple opportunities to practice various
forms of tourism: Spas, rural, alpine,
spelunking, sports, ecumenical, tourism, Photo1: România – S-W Oltenia Region
cultural tourism, fishing, vineyard etc.
S-W Oltenia region, mostly in terms of The five components counties of Dolj, Olt,
geographic boundaries correspond to Valcea, Mehedinti and Gorj, sums up a total
historical Oltenia, as it is also said at the time area of 29,212 km2 and a population in the
of Austrian rule, Oltenia of those five years 2005, 2,306,450 people representing
counties, the only specification that has 10.67% of the population with a density
disappeared from the map Romanati County below the national average (79.3 to 90.9
and its location has been taken by Olt, which inhab/km2 inhab/km2).
expanded territorially in the right side of river The region's population lives in a proportion
Olt (Photo1). of 52.5% in rural areas, compared to 43.5% in
urban areas (national, rural and urban ratio of
45.1% to 54.9%) The most rural counties are
59.4% Olt, Valcea and Gorj 54.8% 53.1%.
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Network of settlements in this region consists relation to other regions in the first place, on a
of 40 cities, 11 of them being municipalities considerable distance and at a rate of almost
and 408 communes, totaling 2066 villages. In 50% of the total accommodation capacity is
terms of relief, Oltenia region appears as a Moldova (353 236). Unfortunately, in 2003,
well balanced territory, assuming almost all S-W Oltenia region, the material contained
forms of terrain, from mountains and hills in accommodation only 183 units, representing
the north (the Carpathians and in the 5.12% of the national total, a number that was
Carpathian region, where forests and on the penultimate place compared with other
grasslands predominate extended) by regions and, with a total of 15,112 jobs
Southern Plains (planted with grain) with a accommodation (5.52% of the national total)
hydrological network consists mainly of the Oltenia region occupies the whole place in
Danube River and two major rivers, with July, before the Bucharest region, which had
numerous tributaries, Olt and Jiu, energetic 10,025 seats. We mention that in 2002 in the
role of ensuring the region mainly in Romania Oltenia region, were registered 58 travel
(71.57% of the total hydropower production). agencies (24 in Dolj, Valcea 15, 7 Olt, 6 in
Gorj, Mehedinti 6), there are data from the
MATERIAL AND METHODS socio-economic development S-W Oltenia
region, conducted by Applied Economics
Looking on Oltenia region's tourism potential, group GEA Bucharest. All these indicators,
as materials and methods we use the the reference to tourism, have been
following indicators of accommodation: 1990 continuously declining in a natural way by
- 2003, by county components, receiving following the economy of the area. These
capacity situation in the region of Oltenia, indicators are: the ability of accommodation,
comparison between counties 1990 - 2003; tourists stay, nights, index of capacity
capacity of the Oltenia region compared with utilization in service, have decreased in some
other regions of tourists' reception with cases less than half. Unfortunately Oltenia
functions of accommodation in the Oltenia region is the region with the most significant
region between 1998 - 2003 and hotels, decrease in accommodation capacity, more
according to the classification levels. All these than doubled compared with the regions SW,
indicators have been cited as a source of S, V and Bucharest - Ilfov and about 3 times
Romania's Statistical Yearbook 2004. There compared with the N - W Region (tab.1).
were used: the accommodation 2004 - 2009 S- The indicators on the number of overnight
W Oltenia region, structures of the functions stays, S-W Oltenia region is not better,
of accommodation S-W Oltenia, both as a finding somewhere in 6th place in 2003.
source National Institute of Statistics Dolj and Speaking of S-W Oltenia region that is a real
Data Development Plan S-W Oltenia Region tourist area, therefore, the development
(Department Development of Tourism). To program S-W Oltenia region, including details
determine the evolutionary trend equations of land development include: the creation of
were calculated on the type Y = a + bt + ct ^ regional tourism clusters with infrastructure
2, where t = time. development, operations and delivery
capacity, especially in the counties Gorj and
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Valcea, developing cultural tourism in areas
From discussions on reception capacities in outstanding national heritage (churches and
Oltenia region compared to other regions monasteries in Valcea and Olt counties), the
under consideration were two reference development of sport tourism (caving,
periods: 1. 1990, out of the old social system tourism, cycling, etc.) mountain and hill areas
and in 2003, where we see that the 1990 in the counties of Mehedinti, Valcea and Gorj,
Oltenia region, have an accommodation the rehabilitation of health tourism through
capacity of 26,376 seats, which ranked 5 in the transformation of social tourism .

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Table1. Situation reception capacities in Oltenia region, Tab. 2. Reception capacity situation in Oltenia region,
compared with other regions comparison between counties
Capa Overni Accommo Accommo Capacit
Accommo Accommo
city - Overnights ghts Overni dation dation y – Overni Overni
dation dation ghts ghts Overni
decre 2002 ghts - capacity19 capacity decreas
capacity capacity 1990 2003 ghts -
Region ase (thousa decrea 90 2003 e(%)
1990(thou se Territori (thousa (thousa decreas
nds) al unit nds) nds) e (%)
sands) (%)
1990 2003
(%) Dolj 1929 1179 38,9 333,1 58 82,6
- - Gorj 4426 1159 73,8 358,5 84 75,2
NE 24986 17965 28,0 3824,5 1451 62,0 Mehed
9 6 inti 2407 1358 43,6 341,4 117 65,7
- -
Olt 1863 725 61,0 258 36 86,0
SE 162799 130991 19,5 14115,6 5154 63.4
2754,
3 9
Vâlcea 15751 10691 32,1 6 1348 51,0
- -
S 26900 21729 19,2 4205,8 1704 59,4 Region 26376 15112 -42,7 4045,6 1643 59,4
2 8
- -
OLTE
26376 15112 42,7 4045,6 1643 59,3 Among the factors that led to the collapse of
NIA
0 9 indicators (privatization, changing the legal
- -
V 26006 20713 20,3 4089,2 2034 50,2 status of facilities and land, lack of investment
5 5 from the state, etc.) we can enumerate the
- -
NV 29102 24320 16,4 4909,9 2251 54,1 precariousness of access infrastructure to
3 5 undeveloped areas of interest, lack of utilities
- -
C 44241 32759 25,9 6341,5 2431 61,6
or unmodernized the existing technical
5 6 facilities, lack of qualified personnel and, last
- -
B 12826 10025 21,8 3019,7 1177 61,0
but not least, lack of adequate management
3 2 and tourism marketing programs. We present
- - below the accommodation capacity
Româ 1784
353236 273614 22,5 44551,8 59,9
nia 5 development for the years 1990 - 2003 S-W
4 5
Mention at this point that social tourism has Oltenia (Tab. 3).
been tourism, in long periods of time (kept Tab. 3. Evolution accommodation capacity 1990 - 2003
Accommodation Ratio (%)
alive) many of the resorts in the county of Year
capacity
Arrivals Overnight
of the
stays
Valcea, although tourism was poor, those available
in
(thousands)
capacity
operation (thousands) function
benefiting from the state tourist ticket
discounts rest and treatment. It was thus a 1990 26373 6790,3 1024,6 4045,6 59,8
form of subsidized travel to the present time, 1991 22230 5906 793,3 2730 46,2
is found only at pensioners, in a rather small
1992 18766 5167,5 642,4 2369 45,8
number. Also in the reference period 1990 to
1993 18046 4926,3 576 2070 42
2003 reported here, in the same situation
Statistical Yearbook of Romania and the 1994 17875 4125,3 495,4 1974,9 47,8
reception capacities of selected counties in the 1995 17462 4149,8 544,6 2044,1 49,3
region of Oltenia. It is noted here, the gap 1996 17010 4095 506,3 1791,9 43,8
between the five counties receiving both
1997 17118 4238,9 433,7 1682,1 39,7
capacity and at nights. Only Valcea with its
huge tourism potential and a more basic 1998 16890 4082,3 374,3 1619 39,7
material placed in the report differs from other 1999 15363 3758 343,1 1569,8 41,8
counties with the lowest indices both 2000 15295 3736 327 1591 42,6
indicators of decay (Table 2).
2001 15326 3885 338 1745 44,9
2002 14855 3755 350 1691 45
2003 15112 3701 324 1643 44,4

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Following graphs represent the table 3. Based on the development of accommodation
capacity, we present the structure of tourists'
reception with functions of accommodation in
the Oltenia region taking benchmark years
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003. What we
noticed analyzing data in this table (Table 4):

Tab. 4. Tourist reception facilities with accommodation

in the Oltenia region
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Fig.1Accommodation capacity available(Y=25822,55-
Total 186 157 162 164 158 183
1885,27t+82,91t^2) which:

Hotels and 71 66 67 63 64 72
motels
Tourist inns - 2 3 - - -
Tourist 8 7 6 7 6 5
chalets
Tourist villas 75 52 48 51 41 50
and
Fig.2 Accommodation capacity in operation bungalows
(Y=6990,64-611,34t+28,21t^2) School camps 12 12 13 12 12 12
Tourist 7 8 12 19 21 27
boarding
houses
Camping 13 10 12 10 10 10
sites
Hosts - - 1 1 1
since 1998, there is a certain balance
Fig.3 Arrivals (thousands)( Y=1039,037- regarding the situation of tourist reception (all
121,271t+5,1819t^2) in 1998, 186, all in 2003, 183) of which 71
hotels and motels in 1998, 72 in the 2003
disappearance of tourist inns: 2 1999, 3 in
2000 and 0 in 2001, increasing instead of
tourist boarding houses, from 7 in 1998 to 12
in 2000 and 27 in 2003, maintaining a
Fig.4 Overnight stays (thousands)( Y=3899,607- constant number of school camps for 12
477,919t+237964t^2) students in 1998 and 1999, 13 in 2000 and 12
in 2001, 2002, 2003. Is interpretable position
tourist villas and bungalows, where in 1998
had a total of 75 such capacities in 2002 have
decreased to 41 and in 2003 an increase to 50
units. Here is a complaint or possible
downgrading of the accommodation in
question. As a conclusion, this structure is
noted, by far, hotels and motels that have the
Fig.5 Ratio (%) of the capacity function(Y=57,131- largest share in terms of accommodation
3,35827t+0,18238t^2) capacity S-W Oltenia region, a situation that
is reflected nationally. And we're in this
chapter, we should note that in the Oltenia
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region until 31/03/2005 (Source Ministry of was working with an occupation rate of
Transport, Constructions and Tourism. 44.5%, higher rate, however, the national
National Tourism Authority) there are no average. Tab. 6. Tourist reception with functions of
five-star hotels just 2 4 stars, both in Dolj tourist accommodation, 31 July 2009.
(Table 5). Table 6. Number of units by Category in South West
Oltenia Development Region
Tab. 5. Hotels by levels of classification certificates
valid on 03/31/2005
Number of
units
County Classification Level:
Development Region 2009

SOUTH - WEST OLTENIA

DOLJ 0 2 5 4 0 Total 299
GORJ 0 0 2 2 0 Hotels and motels 92
Tourist chalets 9
MEHEDI 0 0 2 3 0
NŢI Camping sites 9
Tourist villas 47
OLT 0 0 0 6 0 School and pre-school camps 3
VÂLCEA 0 0 7 16 3 Tourist boarding houses 56
Agro-tourist boarding houses 70
OLTENIA 0 2 16 31 3 Tourist halting places 3
We said in early material, that there are Hostels 10
countless forms of tourism and I listed some Although the capacity of accommodation,
of them. Of the 2003 analyzed by the structure both existing and operational as increased
reception capacities were not available agro- from 2004 to 2009, the latest year data in the
touristic boarding or hostels, tourist table below, we see variations in the index of
accommodation structures newest entrants in arrivals and overnight stays at even decreases.
the Romanian tourism market. Agro-touristic It is curious, in a sense this phenomenon,
boarding played and plays an important role given that the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and
since recovered by accommodation and food 2009 were years where the economy and
services, rural and marginal areas of cities. prices stabilized to some extent. Here for
Also because of them have been developed shelters and composition with functions of
some forms of turism: cultural tourism, rural tourist accommodation and accommodation
tourism, ecotourism, agriturism, ecumenical, capacity, 31 July 2009. (Table 6.7).
wine, fish, many having the local area. S-W
Tab. 7. Tourist accommodation capacity and activity,
Oltenia region is, in terms of number of
S-W Oltenia region.
monasteries and churches on the 2nd place
after Moldova, also in the Valcea region, the Accomodation Capacity
capacity Arriva Nights utilization
country ranks number 3 on the functional Developm
Availab In function ls spent ratios of
ent Region (thousands (thous (thousan net
capacity of accommodation and place 2 to le persons- ands) ds) operating
Years (places) days) (%)
number of nights. It should be noted that the
2004 13936 3703 361 1648 44,5
counties of Oltenia have a natural virgin 2005 14672 3950 334 1602 40,6
environment, a rural area of wild beauty that 2006 14816 4226 371 1641 38,8
hasn't felt yet to much the human touch. In 2007 15219 4107 403 1674 40,7

2004 only 26.57% of the existing 2008 14973 4197 429 1730 41,2
2009 16349 4233 366 1442 34,1
accommodation capacity of Valcea County
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Observing the accommodation capacity, we

see that they have increased almost every
year, but indications of net capacity in service
use were lower. Also we may note the
increasing tourist boarding houses from 27 in
2003 to 70 in 2009 and tourist boarding
houses from 27 in 2003 to 56 in 2009. But
dramatically decreases the number of school
and pre-school camps from 12 in 2003 to 3 in
2009.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Regiunea S-W Oltenia is a region with a

strong and diversified tourism potential. 2. It
has many attractions (historical, religious, folk
art, architecture, etc). 3. Many of these
objectives are in rural areas, by exception,
enabling rural and agro-tourism development
that can lead to a development of traditional
crafts: weaving, pottery, furriers, making the
crafts. 4. Accommodation capacity in recent
years is constantly increasing. 5.Improving
infrastructure through national and regional
road networks. 6. Qualification of personnel
from all the tourist reception and
accommodation units. 7. An improvement in
the management of reception and
accommodation of these capacities. 8.
Diversified forms of marketing in promoting
and supporting tourism phenomenon.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research work was carried out with the
support of Project POSDRU/ CPP107/
DMI1.5/ S/76888 Program, SOP Human
Resources Development from 2007 to 2013.

REFERENCES
[1] Statistical Yearbook of Romania 2004
[2] S-W Oltenia Regional Plan for Development, 2005,
chapter. Tourism.
[3] National Institute of Statistics Dolj, 2009, Tourism

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THE REORGANIZATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANCY
SERVICE IN ROMANIA

Alina DRAGOMIR

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest

59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, dag_alina@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: dag_alina@yahoo.com

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the manner in which the agricultural consultancy service operates in
Romania. The analyzed material is represented by the legislation in force and the manner of operation of the
agricultural consultancy services. The agricultural consultancy services represent a vital element in the field of
agricultural information and technological transfer, providing flows of information which can contribute to the
improvement of the living conditions of the population in the rural area. The consultancy also plays an important
role in the transfer of the results of the research by adapting them to the local agricultural ecology conditions and
the farmers’ resources. The reorganization of the agricultural consultancy service occurred following the intention
to make it closer to the needs of the farmers and the inclusion thereof in the decisional process. The agricultural
chambers represent the deliberative body in the promotion of the Romanian and European agricultural policies.

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural chambers, consultancy, Romania.

INTRODUCTION period prior to the reorganization as well as

the new elements which the Agricultural
The deep economic and social Chambers bring for making more efficient the
transformations, which occurred in our collaboration with the farmers were analyzed.
country after 1989 are manifested in
agriculture by changes regarding the structure RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
of the forms of ownership, the arising of new
types of agricultural exploitations and the The major objective of agricultural
development of the specific economic market consultancy is to develop a modern and
relations [1]. In this respect, the Ministry of profitable agriculture, aligned to the EU
Agriculture decided to organize an activity of standards. The consultancy services have an
agricultural assistance, consultancy and important role due to the new challenges
information in a separate structure – the agriculture is facing: changes in global
National Agricultural Consultancy Agency agricultural and food system, including the
[1]. Wanting to be closer to the farmers’ needs development of supermarkets and the
and to answer as promptly as possible to their increasing importance of the standards and
requests in 2010, the reorganization of the labels; the increase of the degree of rural
agricultural consultancy service was decided. engagement in fields other than agriculture
and the food sector; limitations imposed by
MATERIAL AND METHODS the health problems affecting rural life; the
deterioration of the base of natural resources
In order to characterize the situation of the and the increasing need to cope with the
agricultural consultancy, the structure of climate changes. The National Agricultural
organization of the Agricultural Chambers Consultancy Agency has responded to the
and the manner in which they can contribute farmers’ requests by organizing different
to the improvement of the consultancy service actions (training and skills improvement
in our country were monitored. For the courses, technical assistance course, etc.)
performance of such characterization, the having as goal the dissemination and updating
legislation in force, the results obtained in the of the technical, economic and legislative
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information, in order to improve the - the development of family agriculture by the
competitiveness of commercial or semi- modernization of the family farms and the
subsistence farms. In 2008, the National development of the agricultural industry;
Agricultural Consultancy Agency organized - the increase of the contribution of the
551 qualification courses for 16,173 trainees; agricultural sector to the gross domestic
and in 2009 it organized 3,312 qualification, product;
training, skills improvement and train the - the decrease of the disparities between the
trainer courses, for 84,052 participants [2]. At urban and rural environment;
the end of 2010 it was decided to reorganize
the agricultural consultancy service by - environment protection and the sustainable
approving the law no. 283, law which set out management of the natural resources;
the manner of set up, organization and - the sustainable and balanced development of
operation of the Agricultural Chambers. They the territory.
have a consultative role, representing the main The following principles lie at the basis of the
dialogue partner of the central public set up of the Agricultural Chambers:
authority with powers in the field of - The decentralization principle, which entails
agriculture and other related fields, as well as the set up of a national network for the
of other authorities and institutions of the facilitation of the exchanges and cooperation
central and local public administration, in the between the members. The Agricultural
areas of competence [3]. The set up of the Chambers shall be set up as a system of
Agricultural Chambers aims to promote a representation of their members before the
sustainable, modern and competitive public and / or private partners.
agriculture through the development of
- The autonomy principle, which guarantees
agricultural undertakings, family farms and of
the right of the Agricultural Chambers to
the good practices of this field, as well as
establish development objectives, action
through the maximum use of the local
programs and the manner of management of
agricultural potential. This initiative responds
their own resources, without external
to the objective of decentralization of the
interference.
public administration through the integration
of the local, agricultural and forestry - The principle of incompatibility between the
specificity in the process of development of representation mission and the commercial
own operation regulations. The Government, activities: the functions of the Agricultural
by means of the Ministry of Agriculture and Chambers must not lead, under any
Rural development, the local authorities by circumstances, to the performance of
means of the of the County Councils and commercial transactions with the farmers who
Local Councils, the associations of producers, are members.
farmers and any other associations set up for - The professionalization principle, which
the promotion of the common interests of means that only farmers, agricultural
farmers (trade unions, federations, producers or similar persons - breeders, forest
professional organizations, organizations of owners, fishermen, etc. - can be represented
the civil society) and, optionally, the by the Agricultural Chambers.
financing bodies (banks, mutual funds, rural - The principle of budgetary constraint, which
credit etc.) will cooperate for the set up and prohibits the use of the special transfers or of
operation of the Agricultural Chambers. the amounts distributed for financing the
The set up of the Agricultural Chambers has Agricultural Chambers by the authorities of
as main objectives: the central and local public administration for
- the promotion of the economic and social other purposes;
interests of the population of the rural area - The principle of ensuring the necessary
engaged in agricultural activities; resources, which entails that the institutions
involved in the set up of the Agricultural

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Chambers must provide human, financial and - supports the organization and consolidation,
material resources necessary for the proper at national level, of the agriculture and
operation thereof; forestry associations, of the cooperatives,
- The partnership principle can be found in all groups of producers and other as such;
levels of organization of the Agricultural - organizes seminars, symposiums, fairs,
Chambers and promotes the internal, external exhibits and related scientific manifestations
and international cooperation with similar in the country and abroad;
institutions and organizations, public-private - promotes the Romanian products and
institutions in compliance with the partnership services of the field, in the country and
obligations. abroad;
The Agricultural Chamber is structured on the - draws up local, zonal, regional and national
following levels: national, regional, county plans and strategies;
and local, as follows: - concludes domestic and international
- The National Agricultural Chamber, with its agreements, protocols and partnerships;
headquarters in Bucharest, is an executive - collaborates with the research institutions of
body under the methodological coordination the field in order to increase the
of MARD (the Ministry of Agriculture and competitiveness of the Romanian agriculture
Rural Development). and applied research;
- The Regional Agricultural Chamber, - contributes to the draw up, promotion and
regional structure coordinated by the National implementation of the agricultural or related
Agricultural Chamber. policies as partner of the Ministry of
- The County Agricultural Chamber, with Agriculture and Rural Development and of
offices in each of the 42 counties. the other governmental institutions;
- The Local Agricultural Chamber, - organizes professional skills improvement
autonomous local structure coordinated by the activities for the personnel of the zonal and
County Agricultural Chamber. county agricultural chambers;
The Agricultural Chambers include: - supports and ensures the activity of
Representative management bodies – The innovation in the field of technical assistance
Management Board of the Chamber which grated to the farmers and identifies new
establishes the own objectives, programs and sources for financing the zonal and county
action plans, the manner of use of the agricultural chambers.
distributed resources (human, material and The financing of the Agricultural Chambers is
financial). performed from: contributions of the farmers
Technical and operational execution bodies, who are members of the agricultural
representing the technical-administrative chambers; the interests and dividends
structure of the Agricultural Chambers – the resulting from the investment of the available
Technical Service. amounts of money, the dividends of the set up
The National Agricultural Chamber has the trading companies, incomes obtained from
following powers: direct economic activities; donations,
sponsorships; resources obtained from the
- represents the interests of the National
state budget, by means of the budget of the
Agricultural Chamber and of the zonal and
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
county agricultural chambers with before all
Development.
the institutions of the state and any other
national public or private, European or
international bodies; CONCLUSIONS
- provides legal assistance to those it 1. The National Agency for Agricultural
represents, Consultancy, by means of the County Offices
and the Local Consultancy centers have
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carried out a large number of diversified
actions dedicated to the increase of the level
of knowledge of the agricultural producers in
order for them to be capable to take correct
decisions so as to increase the production
performances and the competitiveness on the
market, by means of the efficiency and quality
of the products.
2. The set up of the Agricultural Chambers
aims to create a partnership between farmers
and the Government, in order to promote the
interests of the farmers.
3. The Agricultural Chambers were set up
under the Agencies Reorganization Law, with
the intention for these chambers to be the
agricultural farmers’, through their active
presence in the rural area.
4. The Agricultural Chambers represent the
deliberative body in the promotion of the
Romanian and European agricultural policies
as regards agriculture.
5. The Agricultural Chambers represent the
interests of the agricultural producers, which
they promote before the governmental
institutions and various economic operators.
6. The agricultural consultancy is a
component of the Agricultural Chambers,
contributing to the improvement of the level
of knowledge and the performance of the
objectives of the activities of the agricultural
producers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The research was performed during the

process of elaboration of the doctoral thesis
funded by project POSDRU/88/1.5/S/52614.

REFERENCES
[1] Sin Gh., 1998, Asistenta si Consultanta Agricola,
Ed. Agris- Redactia Revistelor agricole, Bucuresti,
pag.1, 271,
[2] xxx- Raportul de activitate al Agentiei Nationale
de Consultanta Agricola pe anul 2008 si 2009,
[3] xxx- Legea nr. 283/2010 privind camerele pentru
agricultură, silvicultură şi dezvoltare rurală.

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THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANCY IN
THE EDUCATIONAL TRAINING OF ADULTS OF THE ROMANIAN
RURAL ENVIRONMENT

Alina DRAGOMIR

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest

59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, dag_alina@yahoo.com
Corresponding author: dag_alina@yahoo.com

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the contribution of the agricultural consultancy services to the
improvement of the educational level of the adults of rural areas. For this purpose we analyzed the statistical data
published by the state institutions which carry out activities in this field. In Romania, the professional training of
adults is a national priority. The Romanian rural area has a high agricultural potential, large land surfaces and
multiple diversification opportunities. The population carrying out agricultural activities has different degrees of
training and more often than not does not have access to information related to the progress in this field. The
agricultural consultancy contributes to the training and improvement of the professional skills of the persons
carrying on activities in the agricultural field by means of the various performed actions.

Keywords: agricultural consultancy services, rural area, education, Romania.

INTRODUCTION
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Romania’s land is mainly agricultural land,
the rural population representing 44.9% of the
In order to highlight the contribution of the
total population. The professional training and
agricultural consultancy service upon the
development systems have been
educational training of the population of the
fundamentally influenced by the great
rural area we took into account the annual
changes in the society, generated by the
reports for 2008 and 2009 of the National
information revolution and the technical
Agricultural Consultancy Agency.
innovation, but also the demographic
dynamics and the effects of the globalization
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
of the economy upon the labor market. The
development of the information and
For Romania, the rural area may represent the
communication technologies, the expansion of
engine of the economic development. 60.3%
the technical innovations in all fields, have
of rural population has agricultural activities,
generated new demands regarding knowledge
which places Romania above the average of
and forced people to switch to new jobs and
5.9% in the EU-27 countries. The professional
professions due to the structural and
training has become, in the context created
occupational changes occurring on the labor
after 1990, a fundamental component of adult
market [2]. The professional training for
education.
adults from rural area is for: initiation,
People are different one from another, the
qualification, training, specialization, and
differences consisting in the knowledge and
obtaining an additional qualification or
skills they have, as well as the match between
requalification. The farmers use very different
what they say and what they do. For adults,
sources to obtain knowledge and information
learning or completing accumulation of
they need for managing their farms [1]. The
knowledge is not a problem, but is a problem
National Agricultural Consultancy Agency,
the reorganization, the restructuring or the
by means of the performed activities, met
unlearn. In the learning process, the adult
these demands.
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motivation is more complex than in school. offices, by telephone, e-mail and written
The adult has already well established the correspondence.
mental processes and they can be manifested
in their professional activity. Major influences
in learning have the affection and the social
issues.
The professional training helps to:
- training, accountability and personal
development of adult,
- development and exploitation of
individual capacities,
- development communication capacity,
allowing research, analysis and
diversification of opportunities.
Fig.1. The impact of the qualification courses
Also, the professional training and the
organized in 2009
continuous improvement of the knowledge
represents an important step in the Generally, the requests for advice and expert
achievement of the measures established by technical assistance aimed at specific areas of
the Romanian Government in the National agro-industry: the correct application of
Rural Development Program 2007-2013. production technology, identification, access
Having as major objective the development of and use of inputs, the correct management of
a modern and profitable agriculture, aligned to production processes, marketing of products,
the EU standards, the National Agricultural activities in accordance with specific
Consultancy Agency (ANCA) paid special legislation, government grants and facilities,
attention to the adults’ continuous EU regulations, land fund, agricultural life
professional training activities in the annuity, milk quota, etc.
following fields: agriculture, forestry, fish It was noticed that the technical assistance
farming, the processing of agricultural granted to the farmers varies according to the
products and rural development. size of the undertaking and the performed
In 2008, ANCA organized 3,098 business. The structure of the undertakings,
qualifications, training skills improvement according to their size, is as follows:
and train the trainer courses for 87,598 - for large crops, 79% of the farmers have
people, and in 2009 3,312 courses were small undertakings, 18% have medium sized
organized for 84,052 participants. ones and only 3% have large ones.
The impact of the qualification courses - for vegetable growing, 90% are small
organized in 2009 upon the trainees is undertakings, 9% are medium sized ones and
highlighted in the following situations: 1% are large ones;
European funds accessing (Measures 121, 112 - for fruit growing, 92% are small
and 141), agricultural undertakings set up and undertakings, 6% are medium sized ones and
modernization, the registration in an 2% are large ones;
agricultural association and the occupation of - for vine growing, 82% are small
a job (Fig. 1). undertakings, 15% are medium sized ones and
The consultants at central, county and local 3% are large ones;
level have permanently gotten involved in the - for animal husbandry, 84% are small
granting of specialized consultancy directly to undertakings, 14% are medium sized ones and
the farmers, mainly the ones of small and 2% are large ones.
middle-sized family farms, including In 2008 and 2009, 2,315 actions were carried
specialized technical and economic and out, with 47,578 participants, in the following
technologic services. Moreover, individual fields: large crops (fertilization, weed killing,
consultancy was granted to the interested determination of the state of vegetation,
persons at the central, county and local
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adjustment of the agricultural machines etc); price of agricultural products; the marketing
vegetable growing (the production of and care and quality of the agricultural food products;
for seedlings, phytosanitary treatments etc); facilities granted to the agricultural producers
fruit growing (forming, fruit bearing and by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
regeneration cutting works for fruit trees); Development (M.A.D.R.); notifications
vine growing (forming, fruit bearing cutting regarding the environmental, hygiene and
works for the vineyards); animal husbandry animal health regulations, the main
(animals and birds feeding). production sectors (milk, meat, vegetables,
The consultants from the design teams at fruit, wine), the obtaining of quotas;
central and county level were involved in agricultural support programs with external
providing consultancy both for accessing the funding (EU, the World Bank etc.);
European Agricultural Fund for Rural environmental protection and the Code of
Development (EAFRD) to the potential Good Agricultural Practice; organic farming;
beneficiaries and for their implementation. In sustainable agriculture; the role of the
the sessions of March - November 2008 a agricultural consultant; other specialized
total number of 220 projects were filed, topics. Discussions may help producers
amounting to €30,695,053, a total of 74 become aware of how the manner in which
projects was selected, with a total value of their opinion influences the decision they
€9,166,516. In the submission sessions of take.
2009 for Measure 121 – Modernization of In addition to the public institutions which
Agricultural Holdings a total number of 242 offers consultancy in Romania there are other
projects were drafted and submitted with a companies which produce seeds and inputs
value of EUR 31,909,738 and 75 projects which organize field days in which farmers
were selected with a total value of EUR may participate and analyze the crops in
9,423,588. For Measure 112 - Setting up of vegetation, in order to see the advantages or
young farmers, 671 projects were drafted and disadvantages of using the respective
submitted, and for Measure 141 3792 projects products, having the opportunity to share
were drafted and submitted. ideas with other participants in meeting. All
In 2009, 4,695 potential beneficiaries who these actions are aimed at consolidating the
received information regarding the accessing strengths of the rural area and diminishing its
EAFRD, most of them were being interested weaknesses. It is necessary to extend the
in accessing Measure 141 – Support of Semi- professional training activities, the activities
Subsistence Agricultural Farms. of information and dissemination of
Among the actions of popularization and knowledge to all adults who are involved in
technical assistance destined to the producers fields related to the rural economy.
we have:
- demonstrative batches and practical CONCLUSIONS
demonstrations;
- fairs, exhibits, contests, festivals;
- seminars, symposiums, debates, meetings, 1. Agricultural consultancy is a factor with an
round table discussions; important contribution in the increase of
- visits and exchanges of experience in the production and labor efficiency in agriculture.
country and abroad; 2. The agricultural consultancy services
-the creation of audio-visual materials contribute to the educational training of the
(cassettes, photographs, slides); adults of the rural area by means of a series of
- radio –TV shows at national and local level. actions, such as: qualification and skills
At the request of farmers various types of improvement courses, the popularization of
problems were approached, such as: high-performance agricultural practices, the
agricultural undertakings management; dissemination of the Romanian legislative
incomes and expenses budgets, with emphasis provisions etc.
on the decrease of the production costs; the
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3. The transmitted information must be
presented in a manner which responds to the
needs of the person who will learn it, to
his/her expectations and previous experience.
4. It is necessary to permanently analyze and
adapt the approached topics according to the
requests of the farmers and to the conditions
specific to the Romanian agriculture in order
to continuously improve the consultancy
services.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The research was performed during the

process of elaboration of the doctoral thesis
funded by project POSDRU/88/1.5/S/52614.

REFERENCES

[1] Sin Gh., 1998, Asistenta si Consultanta Agricola,

Ed. Agris- Redactia Revistelor agricole, Bucuresti,
pag.1; 271,
[2] URSU A., Negrea O., Toma.A.D. , 2010, Un nou
sistem de formare profesionala a adultilor pentru
activitatii din mediul rural, pag. 9
[3] xxx- Raportul de activitate al Agentiei Nationale
de Consultanta Agricola pe anul 2008 si 2009.

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AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN VISION EUROPEAN
COURT OF AUDITORS

Sabina FUNAR , Claudia IONESCU

Romanian Court of Accounts

22-24, Lev Tolstoi Street, 71289, Bucarest, Romania Phone: +40 0213078861,
Fax: + 0213078878, E-mail : sfunar@yahoo.ca

Corresponding author: sfunar @yahoo.ca

Abstract

This paper presents the field of agricultural and rural development policies, assessing the scope and audit approach
for the funds allocated for this purpose. After presenting the effectiveness of the systems regarding the regularity of
operations, the procedures regarding the correctness of payments and the databases quality are exposed.
References are made also, to control cross-compliance. Based on its audit activities, the Court of Auditors
concluded that payments for the year ended 31 December 2009 for group policies Agriculture and natural resources
are affected by a significant level of error, and supervisory and control systems for agriculture and natural
resources are generally only partially effective in ensuring the regularity of payments. Regarding IACS, the Court
concluded that significant improvements are needed, especially for three of the eight agencies interviewed. Court
recommended remedy of the identified deficiencies in the systems.

Keywords: agricultural policy, rural development, control of cross-compliance, audit of rural development

INTRODUCTION tasks are delegated to Member States.

According to the Treaty, common agricultural
In 2009, for the farming and natural resources policy objectives are: increasing agricultural
policies group have made total payments of productivity to ensure a fair standard of living
56.683 million euros, have been made of for farmers, stabilize markets, guarantee
which: Agriculture and Rural Development regular supplies and ensuring that supplies
EUR 55.209 million (97.40%); Environment reach consumers at reasonable prices.
356 million euros (0.63 %) for Fisheries and European Union finance budget expenditure
Maritime Affairs 592 million euros (1.04%), are accomplished under the common
Health and Consumer Protection 526 million agricultural policy through two funds:
euros (0.93%). • European Agricultural Guarantee
Intended destination for Agriculture and Rural Fund (EAGF) to complete financing of
Development payments was as follows: Direct direct aid granted by EU and market
Aid EUR 39.114 million (70.85%) Rural intervention measures.
Development EUR 8.738 million (15.83%) • European Agricultural Fund for
Investment in agricultural markets EUR 7.006 Rural Development (EAFRD) for
million (12.69%); Measures the pre-euro 254 financing at different levels of rural
million (0.46%) and administrative expenses development programs.
EUR 97 million (0.17%). European Agricultural Guarantee Fund
(EAGF). The main measures are financed
EU BUDGET through EAGF:
In accordance with the Treaty on the a. The direct aid "Single Payment Scheme
European Union, the responsibility for the (SPS), of which benefits farmers who have
implementation of the European Union budget obtained rights to payment, calculated by the
is delegated to the European Commission. national authorities in accordance with the
With regard to agriculture and rural models set out in EU legislation, namely the
development, all spending is carried out under historical model, regional model, hybrid
shared management, which implementation model and dynamic model. Each of these
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rights, for eligible surfaces (hectares) the demands placed in the calendar year of the
farmer said, gives rise to a payment SPS at finding.
least until 2013. The SPS, in 2009, was worth
spending EUR 28.806 million. Only farmers are eligible for area aid granted
b. The system of direct aid, "Single Area by the European Union. The farmer means a
Payment Scheme (SAPS), provides for the person who exercises an agricultural activity.
payment of uniform amounts per hectare of If the applicant fails to perform any
eligible land. Currently, the SAPS is applied agricultural activity, maintaining land in good
in 10 new Member States, including Romania, agricultural and environmental conditions is
representing expenses amounting to EUR the minimum agricultural activity required the
3.723 million. applicant to be eligible for aid.
c. Other direct aid schemes (coupled EAGF and EAFRD expenditure is made
payments), designed in order to maintain through payment of approximately 80 national
production in areas where, in their absence, or regional agencies. These agencies, in
this is likely to be abandoned. The amounts advance, verify, either directly or through
involved were EUR 6.585 million. delegated bodies, applications for aid
d. Investments consist of intervention in eligibility. Then they approve the payments to
agricultural markets, storage and export the beneficiary. Agency accounts payable and
refunds and other measures, such as specific payments made by these bodies are examined
support for programs in wine, fruits and by independent audit reports prepared by the
vegetables and food programs, a total of 3.988 Commission in February next year. In 2009,
million euros and Sugar Restructuring Fund, the EAFRD payments represented only
of 3.018 million euros. interim payments. At the end of 2009 budget
appropriations in the amount of 1650 million,
European Agricultural Fund for Rural were canceled a reduction in expenditure
Development (EAFRD) co-finance rural conducted by the Member States, due to the
development expenditure, such as agri- difficulties with providing national and co-
environment schemes, compensatory amounts financing, when Romania and Bulgaria, the
granted for agricultural activities in lack of experience as regards the
disadvantaged areas, investment in implementation of rural development
agricultural holdings and infrastructure in programs.
rural areas, amounting to EUR 8.992 million.
In 2009, additional funds were provided INTEGRATED ADMINISTRATION AND
under the rural development funding priorities CONTROL SYSTEM (IACS)
such as broadband internet infrastructure,
climate change, renewable energies, water The general approach of the European Court
management, biodiversity and measures to of Auditors audit tested a sample of 241
accompany the restructuring of the dairy payments. In 2009, of the 241 transactions
sector. However, in 2009 there has been no tested, 66 were affected by errors, of which 42
expenditure under this measure. In all systems operations were affected by errors in
of aid directly through EAGF and certain particular concerning eligibility and
support schemes by the EAFRD, recipients of quantifiable accuracy. Within EAGF
the EU aid must meet certain requirements of operations, of the 148 selected, 35 were
cross-compliance, relating to environmental affected by errors. As regards the expenditure
protection, public health, animal and plant on rural development operations of the 80
animal welfare and maintaining land in good selected, 25 were affected by errors. Most of
agricultural and environmental condition the errors relate to measurable significant
(GAEC). EU legislation provides that any differences in terms of plot remeasurement
failure to meet these requirements apply to a made by the European Court of Auditors.
reduction in the total amount of 1% -5% or
exclusion from direct payments as a result of
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The main control system is designed to ensure Member States should conduct annual spot
regularity of the Integrated Administration checks to cover, for most of the aid schemes,
and Control System (IACS), which consists of at least 5% of all beneficiaries.
existing databases in each Member State,
relating to: agricultural holdings, aid The Court's audit focused on the degree to
applications, agricultural plots, where which risk analysis procedures to allow the
payments are still related to the number of selection of beneficiaries of such controls,
animals, from a database of animals and a quality controls and the adequacy of
record of payment entitlements, in those corrections. Following the Court's audit
Member States that implement SPS. revealed deficiencies in specific spot checks.
The following table presents the results of the
The system provides several controls for examination system for the group of
eligibility: administrative check of all claims, agricultural and natural resources policy.
cross checks with databases in order to avoid
declaring the same ground twice / of the same THE MAIN FINDINGS OF THE AUDIT
animals and a minimum rate of 5% for
inspections to be carried the farm by paying In the EAFRD, the Court found deficiencies
agencies. in the accuracy and completeness of
IACS covers SPS, SAPS and all area aid inspection reports (in Germany and Romania)
schemes and bonus schemes for animals. and overall assessment of monitoring results
(in Bulgaria). During site visits, the Court
CHECKS CARRIED OUT DURING THE found violations of the cross compliance
AUDIT BY THE EUROPEAN COURT OF requirements for approximately 5% of
AUDITORS payments subject to obligations in this area.
Regarding recovery of old debts: a rate of
The Court has evaluated eight systems IACS/ 50% of any undue payment which Member
EAGF eight specific control systems and States have not recovered from the
checked EAFRD following elements: beneficiaries in a period of four years or eight
• administrative controls and procedures years if legal proceedings will be borne
designed to ensure the accuracy of payments, automatically from the national budget.
including the quality of databases; Improper payments resulting from
• control systems based on spot checks; administrative errors committed by the
• systems to ensure implementation and national authorities are excluded from EU
control cross. funding. Member States are obliged to pursue
The Court believes that IACS is generally an recovery.
effective control system for limiting the risk In 2009, the amounts recovered for the period
of error or irregular expenditure, provided it is 2000-2004 were supported by Member States
properly applied. Administrative controls 31.4 million euros and 20.1 million euros
must be performed for all requests for support from EU budget. Aid paid by the Member
and all requests for payment and must include States are then reimbursed by the Commission
all items for which control is possible and the appropriate amounts. Final Acceptance of
necessary administrative means. expenditure shall be by a two-stage procedure,
Administrative controls should include cross- verification and validation of accounts, called
checks with data recorded in the IACS closing the accounts. On 30 April 2010, the
database. Commission adopted three decisions
The Court's audit examined whether the validation (closing) costs incurred by financial
databases were complete and reliable, and the EAGF EAFRD and TRDI (temporary tool for
extent to which controls enabling the rural development) and validated with some
identification of anomalies and apply exceptions, all accounts of the paying
corrective actions. agencies. These decisions are based primarily

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on the certificates provided by independent natural resources are generally only partially
auditors. effective in ensuring the regularity of
The Court's audit did not detect incorrectly payments.
validated expenditure by the committee of Regarding IACS, the Court concluded that
financial decisions validation. In the last three significant improvements are needed,
years, instead the court found shortcomings in especially for three of the eight agencies
the reliability of the accounts of borrowers. interviewed. Court recommended remedy of
For 2009, the commission has initiated the identified deficiencies in the systems.
financial corrections on the 13 agencies from Referring to shortcomings in the SPS and
10 member states to pay for $ 14.8 million, SAPS there are needed the following
representing 1.43% of the 1,037,000 euro had measures:
recovered by year-end 2009. • remedy deficiencies in the systems that lead
Rezults of the inspection agencies shall be to errors on non-eligible land, over lands or
communicated by measuring the regularity of inaccuracies in respect of payment
payment and payment applications submitted entitlements, in particular by improving the
by farmers. Certification bodies are required reliability and completeness of the data
to formulate an opinion on the quality of the recorded in SIPA, referring to the most recent
premises. These certification bodies are ortho-photos;
supposed to verify and validate the control • ensuring that all IACS databases provide a
statistics of Member States. The annual reliable and complete audit trail for all
activity report for 2009 states that having changes;
quality certification bodies on the premises • clarify and ensure better compliance, so that
was, in approximately 90% of cases positive direct aid from the European Union are not
for various populations, and the organisms paid to the applicants who have not used the
opinion certification was positive for 70% of land for agricultural activities or have not
the population and only 54% EAGF of maintained it in good agricultural and
population EAFRD. environmental conditions;
The Court observes that for a certain number • the establishment at the EU level, of the
of paying agencies, certification bodies have minimum annual requirements in terms of
not been able to confirm the reliability of maintenance for grazing areas to be eligible to
statistics control, or because the reports were obtain direct assistance from the European
incomplete, either because they were not Union.
available.
In the annual activity report, the Director The Court considers, that further efforts in
General for Agriculture, referring to the rural development are necessary to continue
results of inspections carried out by the the process of simplifying the rules and
Member States concluded that the residual conditions. Court considers it necessary to
error index for direct aids and market revise the Commission's guidelines on
interventions for rural development measures activities to be performed by certification
is below 2%. The annual Report contains a bodies regarding the nature, coverage and
reserve on the IACS expenditure in Bulgaria information requirements, particularly on
and Romania. tasks related to the validation of statistics of
Member States relating to controls and
CONCLUSIONS inspections.
Based on its audit activities, the Court of
Auditors concluded that payments for the year REFERENCES
[1] http://www.eca.europa.eu
ended 31 December 2009 for group policies [2] Raportul annual referitor la executia bugetului
Agriculture and natural resources are affected (2010/C 303/01)RO 9.11.2010 Jurnalul Oficial al
by a significant level of error, and supervisory Uniunii Europene 3
and control systems for agriculture and

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STUDY ON THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ROMANIAN FARMERS,
AFTER 2007

Ruxandra Maria GAIŢĂ, Camelia MĂNESCU, Lucian MORARIU, Andreea RADU,

Nicoleta MATEOC-SÎRB

Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Timişoara

Nr. 119, Calea Aradului, 300645, Timişoara, Romania, Phone: + 40(0)256 – 494023,
Fax : +40(0)256 - 200296, E - mail : ruxandra_gaitza@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: ruxandra_gaitza@yahoo.com

Abstract

This paper presents the financial support mechanisms for Romanian farmers, the forms of direct payments formed
by Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) and Complementary National Direct Payments (CNDP and) their quantum
and grant arrangements in the vegetable sector during the 2007-2010 period. The European Union established a
single area payment scheme for new Member States, category that includes Romania and Bulgaria. This scheme
simplifies the system of direct payment that is given in the old Member States of the European Union and allocates a
uniform amount per hectare of eligible land. Direct payments are given uniformly as a single payment per hectare,
payable once per year and totally dislocated from production, for all farmers who meet the eligibility conditions and
that submit a grant application to request this aid. The funding source is represented by the European Guarantee
fund for Agriculture. CNDP represents a direct complementary subsidy form to the SAPS quantum for crops located
in arable land and eligible for SAPS, support financed from the national budget and European Fund for Agriculture
and Rural Development.

Keywords: European funds, direct payments, beneficiaries

INTRODUCTION measures financed by the European

Agricultural Guarantee Fund .
Financial support mechanisms for Romanian The APIA campaign starts receiving
farmers for the seven years of the financial applications for payment support schemes on
perspective between 2007-2013 can be the area in 2011, between 1st March to 16
presented as follows: May, 2011.
1. Direct payments per hectare 2. Complementary National Direct
The amount awarded in 2007 was 50 euros Payments (CNDP)
per hectare. This amount has increased step CNDP were introduced in 2007 and are added
by step, every year, reaching over 200 euros to direct payments per hectare. The difference
per hectare per year in the year 2013.The is that the complementary national payments
quantum allocated from European funds to the are paid by the Romanian state from the
SAPS payment scheme in 2010 was 80.36 budget of the Ministry of Agriculture.
euro / ha, while the one from the national 3. Funds for Rural Development
budget was 50.64 euro / ha, representing a The Rural Development Funds are the
total sum of 131 euro / ha. financial supports for Romania from the
Direct payments per hectare introduced in European Union for investments in agriculture
2007 are financed from EU funds. and rural development.
The institution that implements the direct In accordance with the negotiations between
payments per hectare is the Agency for Romania and the European Union our country
Payments and Intervention for Agriculture has more than 8 billion euros for the 2007-
(APIA). In each county of Romania there are 2013 period, which means over 1.0 billion
several centers of this agency.[1, p. 308]. euros per year.
From January 1st 2007 APIA runs the To this contributions from the Romanian state
European funds for implementing support are added, depending on the types of
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investments that are made. Of the total amount for payment in 2007, 440
4. State Aids million euros come from the European
Rural Development Funds are financed by the Agricultural Guarantee Fund for Agriculture
Payment Agency for Rural Development and (EAGF) for the single area payment scheme
Fisheries. This agency has 42 county offices (SAPS) and 290 million euro from the
where the projects were submitted since European Agricultural Fund for Rural
spring 2007. Development (EAFRD) and the national
State aids are distributed through APIA and budget.
the Department of Agriculture and Rural The SAPS budget for Romania in 2007 was
Development (DARD). 440 million euros from EAGF, representing a
5. Market Mechanisms subsidy of 50.5 euros per hectare, plus the
The market mechanisms represents the actions 290.2 million euros from the EAFRD and the
to protect the agricultural producers both in national budget.
relation to competition from outside the The budget allocated for SAPS in 2008 was
European Union and against changes in prices 528.82 million euros, financed by EAGF, the
of agro-food products. Romanian farmers receiving 60.6 euro per
Market Mechanisms are managed by the hectare. Besides these amounts payments
Agency for Payments and Intervention for from the national budget are added
Agriculture (APIA).[2] (Complementary National Direct Payments)
set for 2008 at 47 EuroS for basic crops. [5]
MATERIAL AND METHODS Financial support for farmers in 2008-2009
The European Commission has published in
Research has been made at APIA, from where 28 January 2011 a report on the distribution
data was taken, concerning direct payments of funds allocated to each member state and
on the two payment schemes (SAPS + CNDP) the amount of financial support received by
for a period of analysis of 4 years, between farmers, based on the data on budget
2007-2010. execution for the fiscal year 2009 and about
All materials and data obtained were the situation of spending funds related to
processed and interpreted offering an direct payments from European Guarantee
overview of the evolution and direct payments Fund for Agriculture.
granted to agriculture in Romania after 2007.
Another source of information used was the Table 1. The Romanian beneficiaries and the amount of
report on the distribution of direct payments direct payments to Romania, from the EU budget, in
2009
to farmers in 2009, report published by the Grants Total % of Farmers % of total
European Commission. (euros / farm) Amount
(million
total
amount
(no.
thousands)
beneficiaries

euros)* for
Romania
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 62-500 166,4 31.25 993.400 92%
500-1250 38,06 7,2 53.290 5%
1.250-2.000 13,69 2,6 9.050 0,83
Financial support for farmers in 2007-2008 2.000-10.000 64,71 12,22 15.010 1,5
10.000-50.000 132,27 24,95 6.130 0,56
Area payments made by the Agency for 50.000-100.000 54,8 10,33 810 0,075
Payments and Intervention for Agriculture 100.000-200.000 31,29 6 240 0,022
200.000-300.000 7,4 1,4 30 0,0027
(APIA) from european funds and from the 300.000-500.000 5,57 1,05 20 0,0018
peste 500.000 15,9 3 20 0,0018
national budget exceed 710 million euro, of Total 530,09 100 1.078.000 100
the total amount planned for 2007 ( with a Source: Report on the distribution of direct payments to
value of 730.8 million euros). farmers in 2009 (report published in February 2011) [5]
From the total number of 1.241.701 farmers *according to the 2009 financial year
who applied for direct payments in 2007,
99,73% (exactly 1.238.471 farmers) have The total direct payments dislocated from
already received the recurrent sums from production that were given in the European
SAPS and CNDP, according to 8.588 million Union in 2009 were approximately 32.8
hectares. billion euros, subsidies given for a total of
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7.66 million farmers. necessary after controls done by the Agency
Regarding Romania, EU granted, for Payments and Intervention for Agriculture.
according to liquidation accounting [3]
statements of accounts EAGF 2009, an
amount of 530.09 million euro for a total of
1.078 million farmers.
Most of Romanian beneficiaries (about
993,400 thousand farmers, representing 92%
of all Romanian beneficiaries) received, for
the agricultural areas exploited and
administered in eligible holdings, by paying
the single area payment scheme, subventions
amounting between 62 and 500 euro per farm.
The total amount allocated to these farmers is
Fig.1. The amounts allocated for SAPS, to Romania,
166.4 million euro, which represents by the EU and the number of beneficiaries, in 2009
approximately 31% of the total amount
accorded to Romania in 2009. Financial support for farmers in 2010
Other 53 290 beneficiaries, representing 4.9% From January 1st 2010, the subsidies financed
of total farmers received farm subsidies from the national budget in the last three years
between 500-1250 euro per farm, amounting have been removed, respectively the support
to a total of 38.06 million euro, which for milk quality, the support granted to pork
represents 7.19% of the total amount. and poultry breeders, the subsidy on diesel,
Also, 9050 farmers have received amounts and the support allocated for water irrigation.
between 1250-2000 euro, representing a total From January 1st, 30% of the granted subsidy
of 13.69 million euros; a total of 15,010 for agricultural loans and the support for
farmers received subsidies, per farm, between specific crops such as soybean, tobacco, rice
2000-10000 euro, with a total of 64.71 million or sugar beet has also been removed.
euro per country; a total of 6130 farmers In 2010, the amount allocated to Single Area
received subsidies per farm between 10,000 Payment Scheme was 80.36 euros / ha,
and 50,000 euro, amounting to a total of amount granted to SAPS recipients and
132.27 million euro for the whole country; a financed by the European Agricultural
total of 810 farmers have received subsidies Guarantee Fund (EAGF).The financial
per farm between 50,000 and 100,000 euro, support per allocated area, in 2010, from the
representing a country total of 54.8 million national budget, was 50.64 euro / ha.[5]
euro. SAPS Contribution PNDC 1 Contribution Total 131
140
A total of 240 farmers benefited from 120 107,46 115,76
98,06
subsidies ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 100
80,36
71,12
euro, totaling 31.29 million euro; 30 farmers 80
50,55 60,75
50,64
47,51 46,71 44,64
have received subsidies from 200,000 to 60

40
300,000 thousand euro, amounting to EUR 20

7.4 million; 20 farmers have received 0

2007 2008 2009 2010

subsidies per holding between 300,000 to
500,000, totaling 5.57 million euro and 20 of
Fig. The amount allocated for direct payments (SAPS +
the largest recipients received subsidies of a PNDC), in the vegetable sector, in 2007-2010 [5]
over 500,000 euro, with a country total of
15.9 million euro (Fig.1). In Fig.2. we present the evolution of the
As a negative aspect, from the total numbers amount allocated for direct payments on
of farmers who submitted requests for vegetable sector in 2007-2010.
payment, a total of 1210 persons are The contribution of SAPS increased gradually
obliged to reimburse a total of 447,000 euro each year, from 50.55 euros / ha in 2007 to
due to corrections or recovery considered
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80.36 euros / ha in 2010, with 29.81 euros / ha 50.64 euro / ha and for 2011 it will be
more than in 2007. approved for an amount of the same value.[4]
In 2007 CNDP reached the amount of 47.54
euro / ha, with significant growth in following CONCLUSIONS
years, respectively 50.64 in 2010.
The subsidy paid per hectare for Romanian 1. Schemes / surface support measures are
farmers from the two direct payment schemes financed from the European Agricultural
(SPS + PNDC1) for 2007 was 98.06 euro / ha, Guarantee Fund and the European Fund for
reaching a value of 131 euro / ha for 2010. Agriculture and Rural Development.
Single Area Payment Scheme is granted in a 2. Direct payments that may be granted to
fixed amount per hectare, payable once a year, Romania from the EU budget increased from
dislocated from production, for surfaces 440 million in 2007 (25% of the negotiated
maintained in good agricultural and amount) to 1766 million in 2016 (full amount)
environmental condition, and specific, for if in accordance with the agreed
crops located on arable land: commitments.
-cereals; 3. Under these conditions the amount per one
- protein crops; agricultural eligible hectare increases
-industrial plants; proportionately from 50.5 euros in 2007 to
-root crops ; 201.6 euros in 2016. Therefore, only in 2016,
-potatoes, vegetables, strawberries, melons, the full direct support from the European
flowers and ornamental plants, fodder plants Union could reach 200 euro / ha, thus 100%
and other crops, other cultures on arable land of the direct payments allocated to Romania.
and the land left uncultivated deliberately; 4. Until then the Romanian farmers receive
Complementary national direct payments only a part of the direct payments due
(PNDC 1) is a complementary form of direct (according to negotiation), while the farmers
subsidy to the SAPS amount, dislocated from from the EU-15 receive payments at their full
production, for all crops located in arable land value. This situation greatly disadvanteges
and eligible for SAPS, but excluding the farms in the new Member States and holdings
permanent crops and permanent pastures. [2] whose level of profitability and
Campaign for receiving payment requests competitiveness is much lower than in the
for SAPS 2011. older EU member states.In these
APIA starts the receiving campaign for circumstances, the discrimination made on
payment claims for the area support schemes allocating financial support will make these
for 2011 between 1 March to 16 May 2011. differences even more pronounced, favoring
This year Romania benefits from a financial Western European farms.
allocation of 907,473 millions euro from the
European Agricultural Guarantee Fund REFERENCES
(EAGF) for the single area payment (SAPS),
which means that the farmers will receive [1]. Man, T.E., Mateoc-Sîrb, Nicoleta, Dezvoltare
about 100 euro per hectare, compared to 80.36 rurală şi regională durabilă a satului românesc,
Timişoara, 2007
euro / ha in 2010. [2]. Ministerul Agriculturii şi Dezvoltării Rurale -
In 2011, the financial support package for MADR, Anexa nr.3/22
Romanian farmers is estimated at 1.6 billion [3]. Raport privind distribuirea plăţilor directe către
euro in 2011, of which 1.3 billion euro from fermieri în 2009, raport publicat de catre Comisia
European Union budget. Europeana, 28 ianuarie 2011
[4]. http://www.apia.org.ro
The amount allocated to the payment scheme [5]. http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/12/03/
SAPS from European funds was 80.36 euros /
ha in 2010, but in 2011, reported to value and
number of hectares it will reach 100 euro / ha.
Also, the financial support from the national
budget allocated on the area in 2010 was
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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EVOLUTION OF EMPLOYMENT
IN AGRICULTURE IN ROMANIA AND FRANCE
Ruxandra Maria GAIŢĂ, Camelia MĂNESCU, Diana BLAGA, Miroslav RAICOV,
Miruna DORNEA, Păun Ion OTIMAN

Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Timişoara

Nr. 119, Calea Aradului, 300645, Timişoara, Romania, Phone: + 40(0)256 – 494023,
Fax : +40(0)256 - 200296, E - mail : ruxandra_gaitza@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: ruxandra_gaitza@yahoo.com

Abstract:

In all economically developed countries, workforce is employed in a high proportion in services (tourism, trade),
then a lesser extent in industry and in a very low proportion in agriculture. Although the employment in agriculture
population is still one of the largest in Europe, well above the EU average, of 3.5%, the share of agricultural
population dynamics shows a gradual downward trend of it, from 40.9% in the year 2000 to 26.8% in 2009.In
countries like Germany, Britain and France the share of population employed in services exceeds 70% (France
holds 76%).Even in countries with a medium or below average level of development like Spain, Portugal, Greece,
Croatia, Hungary and Poland the share of population employed in services exceeds 60%.Regarding Romania, in
2010, the share of population employed in services is only 51% of the total, that of agriculture 24%, construction
7% and industry 18%.

Keywords: rural, workforce, employment in agriculture

INTRODUCTION methods used were: data collection, data

rocessing, data analysis and interpretation of
The population employed in agriculture data.
represents an important indicator, in a
country's agricultural sector. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The population employed in agriculture
recorded large oscillations, in Romania, WORK FORCE IN THE MEMBER
during 2000-2010, from 40.9% to 24%. STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The employment in agriculture in the
MATERIAL AND METHODS European Union includes all persons working
on farms.
The two bibliographic sources used, for the In the European Union, member countries
analysis of population employed in noted important variations of employment
agriculture, in Romania were: Dezvoltarea rates in the working population. Some
rurală şi regională durabilă a satului countries have already reached the target
românesc, Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb, Ungureanu, occupancy rate of 70% imposed by European
G and Implications of the economic growth Union policy (Sweden - 73.5%, United
reducing the unemployment, Nicoleta Kingdom - 71.7%, Denmark - 75.9%), but
Mateoc-Sîrb, Gh. S. Sârb, Victoria Şeulean, also countries that still have levels of
Teodor Mateoc, Camelia Mănescu. employment rates below the EU average (Italy
The statistical data used, for the analyse, in - 57.6%, Poland - 52.8%, Hungary - 54.8%).
France, were taken from these sites: Agreste – Regarding the employment in EU agriculture,
Handbook of Agricultural Statistics and the data presented in Table 1. is particularly
National Institute of Statistics and Economic representative on the workforce in agriculture.
Studies. Employment in agriculture in the 15 old EU
To achieve the objectives of this work, the member states is 4.1%, in contrast to
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employment in the EU - 25 is 4.5% and 5.6% Romania is working in the agricultural sector,
in the EU - 27. while in France this sector represents only 3%
Table 1. Evolution of employment in agriculture, of the total employed population.
during 2002-2008% Table 3. Analysis indicators of economic development
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 in France and Romania
UE 27 7,1 6,8 6,3 6,1 5,8 5,6 Analysis Indicators Romania France
RO 37,7 37,7 32,6 32,3 30,6 29,5 Area (in km2) 238.391 543.940,9
BU 10,7 11,1 10,7 8,9 8,1 7,5 Population (in millions) 21.435.200 64.322.785
FR 4,1 4,3 3,9 3,6 3,7 3,4 Population density (number of 94.1 113,6
IT 4,9 4,7 4,2 4,2 4,3 4,0 inhabitants/km ²)
The structure of employment 100 100
DE 2,5 2,4 2,4 2,4 2,3 2,2
(%)
UK 1,4 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,4 1,4 Agriculture 24 3
UE 25 5,5 5,3 5,0 4,9 4,7 4,5 Industry 18 14
UE 15 4,1 4,0 3,8 3,7 3,6 3,5 Construction 7 7
Source: Processing by Eurostat; Services 51 76
Source: Agreste - Farm Structure, 2010 ;
The proportion of population employed in
agriculture in Romania is the largest in the The Romanian rural area continues to be
EU, but is still down from the pre-accession dominated by the agricultural employment
period (from 32.3% in 2005 to 29.5% in 2007 population even if the share of this category
and 27.7 in 2008). The largest source of has declined steeply in the last decade.
decrease is external migration, especially to In 2009, the share of population employed in
countries like Spain and Italy, facilitated by agriculture was 26.8%, the largest in Europe,
freedom of movement in Europe. well above the EU average of 3.5%.
UE 27
Regarding Romania, the share of population
40
RO employed in services in 2010 was only 51%
35
UE 25 of the total, that of agriculture 24%,
30
UE 15
25 construction 7% and industry 18%.
20 As reflected in the figures below, the most
15
important sector of the population employed
10
5
in the case of France is the service sector.
0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 24%
Fig. 1. Evolution of employment in agriculture,
during 2002 – 2007 51%
The Romanian agriculture focused on over 18%
50% of EU farmers. Approximately 3.5 7%
million people from the agricultural Agriculture
population express a social burden rather than Industry
Construction
a factor of social progress due to a Services
pronounced aging degree and the state of Fig 2. Employment structure by sector of activity, in
poverty in which they are living.[2] Romania, in 2010

ANALYSIS OF WORKFORCE IN
FRANCE
Concerning the employment structure by
sector, the services sector has the highest
share in France, of over 70%, in contrast to
Romania, where only half the number of
people employed are absorbed in this sector,
which is approximately 50%.
A quarter of the employed population in
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3% 15 - 24 ans 25 - 54 ans 55 - 64 ans

14%
10,40% 11,70%
76%
7%

77,90%

Agriculture
Industry
Construction
Services Fig 1. The structure of the active population, by
Fig 2. Employment structure by sector of activity in age group, in France
France, in 2010
Population structure by sex in France is as ANALYSIS OF WORKFORCE IN
follows: female population is 33,186,221 ROMANIA
thousand people, its percentage: 51.6% in the In the first quarter of 2010 Romania's active
total population of France is higher than males population was 9,721,000 persons, of whom
(48.4%) and the male population amounts to a 8.934 million persons (including armed forces
total of 31,136,564 thousand. and people working in the informal sector)
Regarding the population structure by age, in were employed and 787,000 people were
France the percentage of population of over unemployed. Of the total employed
59 years of age is 22.2% of the total population only 6.35% were employees.
population, while young people under 20 thousands people
years represent only 24.81% of the total.
The largest share of employment in France is
held by the services sector - 76%, followed by
industry with 14% and agriculture with
3%.[4]
Table 4: Population by type of activity, at 1st January
2007number
Specification France
Active population 29.748.028
Active population employed 26.341.541
- Men 13.998.649
- Women 12.342.892
Unemployed 3.406.487
- Men 1.591.115 Fig 4. Categories of the population in the first quarter,
- Women 1.815.372 in 2010
Inactive Population 33.852.428
Pensioners or early retirees 13.121.778
From the potentially active population group
Pupils, Students, unpaid trainees 5.251.849
Other inactive persons 15.478.800 of 18.210 people only 9.721 (in effect
Total population 63.600.455 53.38%) are employed, from which 787.000
Source: National Institute of Statistics and Economic are registered as unemployed.
Studies (Insee), Population Census, 2007 It should be noted that, from the total rural
population, the share of population employed
Regarding the active population by age (total in agriculture has increased significantly since
population of 29,748,028 active persons) the 1990, from 28.8% to 40.8% in 2000 and
largest share is held by the age group between slightly decreased in 2003 to 39.5%,
25-54 years (23,038,772 thousand people), respectively 24% in 2010.
followed by the 15-24 years of age group with The employment growth in agriculture was
a share of 11.7% (3.465.060 thousand caused not only by the needs of agriculture,
persons) and the age group 55-64 years, but especially as labor layoffs in other sectors
accounting only 10.4% of the total.[3]
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of economy.[1] CONCLUSIONS

1. In developed countries such as France the

agricultural work is in general family work,
family farms making less and less appeal to
salaried workforce;
2. In Romania about 49-50% of the workforce
employed in agriculture is aged 60 years and
49.7% above 60 years of age.
3. Maintaining a stable and viable rural
population requires measures for insuring an
Fig. 5. Proportion of population employed in
optimal number of jobs in agriculture and
agriculture from the total employment, between 1990- related services;
2010 4. The share decline of employment in
Although employment in Romanian agriculture is caused by:
agriculture is still one of the largest in Europe - the withdrawal of a large number of older
the share of agricultural population dynamics people from agriculture;
shows a gradual downward trend from 40.9% - low incomes achieved in agriculture, which
in 2001 to 24% in 2010. are not attractive to young people;
At the end of 2008, from a total of employed - limited rural investments - services and
civilian population of 8.75 million people small industry – that can absorb younger
employed in agriculture, hunting and forestry, workforce.
there were only 2.42 million active workers,
representing approximately 27.7% of the total REFERENCES
employment.
Concerning the population occupied in [1] Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb, Ungureanu, G., Dezvoltare
regională şi rurală. Evoluţii şi tendinţe, 2010;
agriculture by age groups we observe an aging
phenomenon of the workforce in this [2] Mateoc-Sîrb Nicoleta, Gh. S. Sârb, Şeulean
branch.Therefore, over half of this population Victoria, Mateoc, T., Mănescu Camelia - Implications
belongs to the age groups of over 45 years old of the economic growth reducing the unemployment -
and the share of population employed in International Scientific Symposium „Durable
agriculture – present and perspectives” – Faculty of
agriculture between the ages of 55 and 64 Agriculture, Iasi, 2010, (magazine indexated in BDI –
years is increasing. The workforce is Cab International England Publishing – Organic
characterized by an uneven distribution of age Research Database), ISSN 1454-7414;
groups.
The workforce aging phenomenon is known [3] Agreste – Handbook of Agricultural Statistics,
all over the world, which is modernizing, but [4].National Institute of Statistics and Economic
in our country this process is particularly Studies
emphasized.
Our migration pattern in the postwar period
was very fast and intense, meaning a real
change in the majority of the rural world and
transferring it to the city.[2]
This complex and contradictory phenomenon
has led to a rejuvenation of the workforce in
industry and construction (80% of workforce
in these industries comes from rural areas)
and on another level it causes a forced aging
of the population that remained in the rural
areas.

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RURAL DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS OF DAMBOVITA COUNTY

Ileana GEORGESCU

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest

59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail : ilytu@yahoo.com

Corresponding author :ilytu@yahoo.com

Abstract

The present study examinates the extent to which funds have been applied and used in specific agricultural policy and
the effects on rural development in the county Dambovita. The development work have been taken into account
statistical data provided by Dambovita County Prefecture and Departament for Agriculture and Rural Development
Dambovita. Analyzing the nine measures that have been funded in the country of Dambovita a total of 1119 project with
a total value 635.333.604,1 may be issued conclusions regarding the impact on rural development of Dambovita
county in terms of both agricultural and economical.

Keywords: Rural area, Rural development, NPRD measures

INTRODUCTION areas;
- Balancing economic opportunities and social
Located in southern central part of the conditions in urban and rural areas;
country, overlapping and Ialomita river basins - Stimulating local initiatives;
of the rivers Dambovita, Dambovita county - Spiritual and cultural heritage preservation.
has an area of 4054 square kilometers (1.7% In the 2007-2013 financial perspectives of
of the country), being prepared in three steps European Union rural communities will be
within the landscape consisting of mountains jointly financed by the Common Agricultural
(9%), hills (41%) and plains (50%). The Policy specific funds, financial instruments
specific conditions of climate and vegetation and by other Community policies, especially
on the plains were formed most fertile soils in structural funds in regional policy. The
the county. National Rural Development Programme are
From the administrative point of view concerned a number of objectives to support
Dambovita county has 2 municipalities, 5 growth and competitiveness of the agro-food
towns and 81 communes with 361 villages. sector forestry, improving the environment
Rural area is composed of all municipalities and the countryside, improving quality of life
and is defined in Article 5 of Law 2 / 1968: in rural areas, launch and operation of local
“The village is the administrative territorial development initiatives.
unit encompassing the rural population united The objectives of the three axes of the
by common interests and traditions. A village program is done by implementing the
is made up of one or more villages by measures provided for each axis. Such
economic conditions, social, cultural, measures have been taken in the Dambovita
geographic and demographic. Common County and the following objectives:
organization provides economic, cultural and -“Setting up of young farmers“-Measure 112
social administration of rural locality”. -“Modernization of agricultural holdings” -
Human resources are the main factor in the Measure 121
development of rural area and beyond. -”Adding value to agricultural and forestry”-
Rural development has a distinct place within Measure 123
regional policy and refer to the following -“Improving and developing infrastructure
aspects: related to the development and adaptation of
- Removal / reduction of poverty in rural agriculture and forestry”- Measure 125

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-“Support for semi-subsistence farms’’- areas, sports fields, bike trails), renovation of
Measure 141 public buildings and car park facilities,
-“ Support for the creation and development squares, spaces for fairs, etc.). Investment in
of micro-enterprises” - 312 Measure construction of new kindergartens for
-“Encouraging of tourism activities”- children, including endowments; studies on
Measure 313 cultural heritage (material and immaterial) in
-“Village renewal and development, heritage rural areas with the possibility of putting them
conservation and improving rural heritage” - and put them to the community;
Measure 322 - “Setting up of young farmers” - Measure
- 431.1 as“ Under Phase 3 - Financial support 112
for preparation of dossiers for selected GAL” The statistical data presented in PNS and in
“Support for semi-subsistence farms”- the National Reform Programme highlighting
Measure 141 the fact that a relatively high proportion of
Support for restructuring of semi-subsistence young people, aged between 24 and 44 years,
is a tool to determine, primarily a are occupied in agriculture. This situation is
management improvement accompanied by caused by the fact that not having other
their transformation into commercial family sources of income, young people remain in
farms, able to identify new opportunities for rural communities they belong to help carry
recovery and increased production for sale, out agricultural activities.
according to diversify production market Improving and increasing the agricultural
demand and introduction of new products so sector by promoting the installation young
that subsistence farmers to become farmers and supporting the modernization
economically viable. process and compliance with the requirements
Support for restructuring of semi-subsistence environmental protection, hygiene and animal
is a tool to determine, primarily a welfare, safety at work increase the number of
management improvement accompanied by young farmers to start farming for the first
their transformation into commercial family time that a heads of farms and encouraging
farms, able to identify new opportunities for young farmers to make investments
recovery and increased production for sale, -“Modernization of agricultural holdings”-
according to diversify production market Measure 121
demand and introduction of new products so The measure aims at increasing the
that subsistence farmers to become competitiveness of the agricultural sector
economically viable. through a better use of human resources and
-“Encouraging of tourism activities”- production factors. Promoting investment in
Measure 313 agricultural holdings of the plant and animal
Objective of this measure aims to develop breeding to achieve new construction and / or
tourism activities in rural areas to help upgrading of existing agricultural buildings
increase the number of seats employment and and utilities within their associated
alternative incomes, and increase the acquisition of machines and new
attractiveness of the countryside. establishment of plantations, etc.
-“Village renewal and development, heritage -“Adding value to agricultural and forestry”-
conservation and improving rural heritage”- Measure 123
Measure 322 The measure aims at increasing the
With this type of measure is funded projects competitiveness of agro-food processing
aimed at creation of new roads, expansion and enterprises and by improving the overall
improvement of local road network, the first performance of forestry businesses processing
establishment, expansion and improvement of and marketing of agricultural and forest
public sewage network, establishment, products through better utilization of human
development of public recreation space for resources and other inputs.
the rural population (parks, children's play

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- 431.1 as “Under Phase 3 - Financial support

for preparation of dossiers for selected GAL”.
Sub-masure 431.1 supports the construction
of public-private partnerships, local
development strategies and training for Local
Development Plan participation in the
selection of GAL [1], [4].
112- ``Setting up of young farmers`
MATERIAL AND METHODS
121-`` Modernization of agricultural holdings ``

In the case of Dambovita County, projects 123-`` Adding value to agricultural and forestry ``
selected for funding under the National Rural
141-`` Support for semi-subsistence farms ``
Development Programme 2007-2013 are
presented in Table 1. 123- Adding value to agricultural and forestry State aid
scheme XS13/2008
312-`` Support for the creation and development of micro-
Table1: Status of projects selected for funding in the enterprises ``
county of Dambovita, the National Rural Development 313-`` Encouragingof tourism activities ``
Programme 2007-2013
322-`` Village renewal and development, heritage
N Measure Nr. of Total value of conservation and improving rural heritage ``
r projects projects (lei) Under Phase 3 - Financial support for preparation of
dossiers for selected Sub-measure 431.1GAL
1 112-``Setting up of 89 7.522.778,1 125- “Improving and developing infrastructure related to
young farmers` the development and adaptation of
2 121-``Modernization of 31 80.446.771
agricultural holdings `` Fig. 1. Situation the number of projects approved in
3 123-``Adding value to 11 87.650.056 Dambovita County and at national level
6% 1%
agricultural and 0% 13%
forestry``
4 141-``Support for semi- 877 27.837.035
subsistence farms `` 14%

5 123-``Adding value to 6 34.758.584

agricultural and forestry
47% 4%
State aid scheme
XS13/2008`` 5%

6 312-``Support for the 39 39.064.496 6%

creation and 4%

development of micro- 112- ``Setting up of young farmers`

enterprises ``
7 313-``Encouraging of 17 25.426.314 121-`` Modernization of agricultural holdings ``
tourism activities``
8 322-``Village renewal 24 288.959.866 123-`` Adding value to agricultural and forestry ``
and development,
heritage conservation 141-`` Support for semi-subsistence farms ``
and improving rural
heritage ``
123- Adding value to agricultural and forestry State aid
9 431- Under Phase 3 - 12 3.673.360 scheme XS13/2008
Financial support for
312-`` Support for the creation and development of
preparation of dossiers micro-enterprises ``
for selected GAL
313-`` Encouragingof tourism activities ``
1 125- “Improving and 13 39.974.344
0 developing
322-`` Village renewal and development, heritage
infrastructure related to
conservation and improving rural heritage ``
the development and
adaptation of Under Phase 3 - Financial support for preparation of
dossiers for selected Sub-measure 431.1GAL
agriculture and
forestry” 125- “Improving and developing infrastructure related
to the development and adaptation of
TOTAL 1119 635.333.604

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Table 2. Share of projects selected in Dambovita 25.066.981 lei. Moreni village receives a
County from the national projects, MAFRD[2], [3] project worth 12.242 million lei, which
Measures Projects Selected share provide funds for sewage treatment plant,
selected projects in (%)
at the county upgrading roads, rehabilitation and cultural
national Dambovita endowment and foundation and endowment
level home child day center. In remarks 121se
112 5.706 89 1,55 measure aims at setting up the project that a
121 1.845 31 1,68 farm with dairy processing section and unit
123 562 11 1,95
energy production from renewable sources,
141 18.408 877 4,76
123(XS13/2008) 215 6 2,79 whose value is 21.613.514 lei. The project
312 2.196 39 1,77 amounting to 26.445 million lei, which aims
322 3.039 24 0,78 to build a meat processing factory in the
431.1 111 12 10,8 village Racari is included in Measure 123
TOTAL 30.733 1.119 3,64
CONCLUSIONS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The data presented follows that Dambovita
From the data we can see that the largest county funding from NPRD 2007-2013
share a recording projects as part of 431.1. further contributed and contribute to business
The 12 selected projects each have an development in the rural economy with
approximate value of 310.250 lei and include infrastructure works that lead to the
areas of development strategies for modernization of the romanian village and
municipalities Darmanesti, Sotanga, even economic growth of the economy. For
Buciumeni, Bărbuleţu, Ocnita, Dobra, the future, the county Dambovita NPRD
Rascaeti , Razvad, Cornatelu, Visinesti, Titu, 2007-2013 is focused on a number of
the average total county 3.64% Dambovita objectives to support the increasing
being selected projects. Measure 141 projects competitiveness of the agro-food and forestry,
aiming at an average value of 31.764 lei in improving the environment and the
addressing particular individuals and PFA's. countryside, improving life in rural areas,
Although they share the lowest 0.78%, diversification of rural economy, launch and
projects under Measure 322, reaching their operation initiatives rural development.
highest value to the amount of 288.959.866
lei, 24 recipients of this amount is common REFERENCES
Dambovita county. Project financing is an
important one for the village Potlogi / [1] ***-Programul National de Dezvoltare Rurala
Odobesti with the execution of water supply 2007-2013, versiunea decembrie 2009
network, sewage network and treatment [2] ***-internet, WEB, Prefectura Judetului Dambovita
[3]***-internet, WEB, Ministerul Agriculturii si
plants, day care center for persons requiring Dezvoltarii Rurale
social assistance, expanding local networks of [4] I. Bold , 2003 ``Spatiul Rural definire, organizare,
natural gas supply , upgrading village roads, dezvoltare``, ed. Mirton, Timisoara 2000
maintaining cultural traditions is the value of

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MORPHOLOGY AND MICROSTRUCTURE RELIEF FROM
DEPRESSION AGRIJ - VILLAGE ROMÂNAŞI

Adelaida Cristina HONTUŞ

University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine - Bucharest, Faculty of Management,

Economical Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Developments, No. 59, Mărăşti Boulevard, no.1 Sector,
Bucharest, cod 011464, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232, Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail :
adelaidahontus@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: adelaidahontus@yahoo.com

Abstract

This paper is the result of both field investigations and consultation of existing bibliographic material. The relief of
the commune administrative territory overlaps Românaşi two major relief units: Depression Agrij and Meseş
Mountains.In this paper have revealed a positive or negative series of notes on planning and have shown some ways
to improve spatial Românaşi village. Presentation of various aspects suite is recorded by a series of maps, charts
and tables, many of them corresponding to some practical requirements.Due to its location along the European
road E81 and in the vicinity of large cities, Zalău, Cluj-Napoca, Românaşi common amenities for potential
investors.

Keywords: geological analysis, laminated clays, sediments, morphometric characters, hydrographic network
landscape fragmentation

INTRODUCTION MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of the spatial position of the This paper is the result of both field
commune of Românaşi by reporting to the investigations and consultation of existing
various physical or economic and bibliographic material. The relief of the
geographical landmarks, allows us not only a commune administrative territory overlaps
full understanding of qualitative issues Românaşi two major relief units: Depression
concerning the natural environment and and Agrij Meses Mountains.
human-nature relationship. In this paper have revealed a positive or
The village occupies the central Românaşi negative series of notes on planning and have
Agrij Depression, western section of shown some ways to improve spatial
depression than older unit known as the Românaşi village. Presentation of various
geographical literature Almas-Agrij aspects suite is recorded by a series of maps,
Depression. This valley is flanked by the hills charts and tables, many of them
east of Cluj and Dej, namely Şimişna-Garbou corresponding to some practical requirements.
Hills and west of the crystalline peak Meses
Mountains. Depression is open to North RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Somes Passage area of local subsidence Jibou.
The advantageous position compared to As a natural unit Someşeni Platform region
natural units of the area, the village is given a register as a transition zone to the
series of mild economic development Transylvanian basin, which is why in some
opportunities, primarily resulting from a high papers is defined as "depression contact.”
potential of local natural and human factors. There is a second understanding that
They are added to complement the depression is regarded as a compartment of a
development of the entire network of depression larger units called Almas-Agrij
settlements in the valley and county. depression, named after two rivers that run
through and drained to the same area of
subsidence from Jibou. Fair, however,
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consider the distinction between the two
compartments of his depression and
depression Agrij Almas, because "entwining"
is weak as evidenced by their presence
interfluve of them making a specific note of
discontinuity.
The natural conditions of the depression
have many common elements, which is why
we extended the study on its entire territory,
focusing in detail on the central sector which
is superimposed over the village.
Particularly important in terms of
stratygraphic layers are for depression Agrij
smiled representing a final Oligocene
Figure 1. Lithological map
sedimentary cycle. They occupy large areas Sand and gravel belonging 1.Depozite meadow-
extending far more Almas Depression. Are holoceu-2-6m thick, clay-marly 2.Depozite layer
formed on the bottom of siliceous sandstone Sânmihai; 3.Depozite Tihău sandstone-sandstone;
loose, white quartz sands with intercalations 4.Depozite the marly-limestone-strata Bizusa;
of red clay. Such a clay seam can be seen in a 5.Depozite brittle limestone-limestone Hoia; 6.Depozit
compact limestone-limestone with nummulite;
village near the natural opening on the right 7.Depozite metamorphic rocks
Agrij Românaşi constituting the bed slide "of
a major landslide that reached even the river Particularly complex problems in terms of
riverbed. tectonics provides Agrij Depression, given its
Small fragments of crystalline deposits occur position in the direct manifestation of the
even in the current interleaved Depression relationship between the Transylvanian Basin
Almas, thus betraying an old carriage, pre- and the unit of crystalline shale. Geological
quaternary, closely and completely changed investigations reveal that the Eocene is not
the configuration of the river system. normally on the mountains resting Meses
Depression occurs in axial and formations crystalline. Anticline appear quite large,
Agrij newer: quaternary represented by clays flattened, with a maximum basal width of 6.5
and sands and generally overlap the valley km. To the north flank of this anticline is
corridors. Viewed in terms of lithology, flatten and its eastern bend to the west around
geological structure directly impacts the the northern end of the ridge Meses. Eocene
current issues of physical and geographical deposits are covered here aquitaniene deposit
features. Thus, the presence of litho-soil latest [2].
Ciumărna Valley is related to the presence of An interesting aspect is the contact between
limestone, just as abrasion landforms are a crystalline and sedimentary deposits that
consequence of the presence Romita usually is less visible due to alteration in
sandstone deposits, alluvial, meadow area of relief. Frequently, the lens forward to the east
Agrij and its tributaries. on the ridge of hills, Ciumărnei Hill, and
withdrawn to the west the valleys. But there
are situations where older sedimentary rocks,
Eocene lower falls crystalline schists, which is
most notable tributaries of Agrij Meseseni
Valley and Valley Ciumărnei tin.
Subsequent course of Agrij be associated
tributary valleys characteristic of either the
left (Stana, Romita) or right (Groapa Sorţilor)
on the interriver separating Agrij Almas.
These valleys flowing direction in the deeper

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layers of sediment were forming steep banks "bridges" of inter-grain and fruit trees in hilly
with higher energy relief Valley tin. Tectonics areas. Current morphological processes are
and geology so that the elements fall with also subject to the values of slopes. The run-
direct implications on the evolution and off slopes reveal us by torrential bodies whose
current relief appearance Agrij Depression. development is out of important agricultural
In general depression appears as a network of land area (left side of the valley Ciumărna
structural surfaces cuestas and more or less between Românaşi and Ciumărna). High
preserved. Main Custas accompanying long values are recorded on the right slopes of the
right bank of Agrij and the interriver, shorter valley north of Enchanted Românaşi where
growing perpendicular to the first. the steep cuesta (form of relief as a slant,
Depression on the overall relief Agrij which appeared in a region where rock layers
fragmentation is characterized by a sea of: with alternating hard with soft, flowing water
particulars which shall in general, relatively due to erosion and gradual withdrawal the
complex river system organization in terms slope.), far beyond the Romita.
of:
• major tectonic lines, which have made
morphological compartments, especially in
terms of structural relief;
• structural or lithological contacts which
allowed selective action of rain erosion;
• river convergence zones, such as that of
Românaşi, must be made about the
evolutionary and Almas Valley: Hida and
Almas.

The main feature resulting from the prolonged

action of the river system is the uneven
distribution, the vertical and horizontal forms
of relief, which were selected, in turn, the Figure 2. Map of slopes
development of space settlements.
Under morphographical report, the village
Value distribution of slopes within the village comprises a series of inter-Românaşi, slopes
is closely linked to the distribution Românaşi and valleys with the general SW-NE direction
the altitude of the relief stage and the energy. towards the confluence of the Jibou Agrij with
Analyzed in relation to territorial values fall Somes. Against this background there are a
between 0.5 gr. the meadow and over 20gr. number of local differences in the conduct of
steep slope areas present both in the valley secondary peaks and valleys and slopes.
corridor and the tributaries. 1-10gr slopes Interfluves have for the most part rounded
predominate, which shows the character of the and in some cases flat. Their presence is
landscape with hills and broad inter-arching, normal for a typical region of hills like the
sometimes a surprising smoothness: At Castle one in which the territory of [3].
Hill, Hill Cântătoreasa. The slopes are concrete expressions of the
Appear even some areas with slopes form is mostly interfluves convex or concave
approaching 0gr where poor drainage area, slopes. Agijului Valley can only speak of the
causing land over wetting with direct existence of steep slopes, where the river
implications on natural vegetation and its undermined the head Cuesta. This is what
effective use in agriculture: the snout, near the occurs and where the most intense slope
village gate Breb Sălajului. processes in the area. Welcome steep
Slopes introduces a distinct note of lithological appear highlighted, cut into tiles
differences of cultures. On the flat meadow Tihău visible right from Romita and Brusturi
land is usually cultivated vegetables, the Agijului.
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The valleys are generally large, many of them the evolution of Quaternary piedmont
having an intermittent flow regime. Torrential Meseşan until today.
young bodies have evolved rapidly advancing The main elements that attract attention
and new white table very loose sediment. geomorfological landscape today are:
Levels of erosion are the result of modeling in -compactness interfluve, sweep of Almas and
air, these are 400-500m altitude, is presenting Agrij water, with little saddles, except for the
a compact, higher extension Meses gate-Salaj, Zalau highway passes through
Mountains, or insular form of erosion present Cluj-Napoca;
witnesses on both sides of the region. -relations between the saddles and valleys of
The occurrence of erosion levels is made in tributary Agrij Meses;
some cases, evolutionary speaking, the series of differentiations between upper and
presence at the beginning at the foot of lower basin Agrij;
piedmonts Meses accumulation occurring as -evolution of Quaternary piedmont below
flat shapes, resulting from erosion until Meses until the phase of destruction;
smooth or to the release layer surface, more character-current processes on the territory of
hard cover slightly away from the mountain, depression.
sand, clay and marl. In the village have been In summary, we can distinguish three stages
detected in map analysis and field research at of the relief during Paleogene-current:
two levels of erosion. - paleogene-Levantine-stage or step Eocene
The level of over 450m: to introduce compact coastal plain, where large extension of
ridge near Meses, west of the village deposits belonging to this period. Now is the
Ciumărna. It dominates the valley Ciumărnii outline of the rivers that came down the river
altitude of almost 150m, is forested and used Meses Almas, oriented SW-NE, as plain and
to provide a 2 km stretch of the road that slope was more pronounced than the north
climbs to the summit in Zalau Meses. east, probably due to movements caused by
400-450m level, called the marginal level, lifting Biharia block;
where its position on the outskirts of the - phase or phase geographical quaternary
village territory, has a much greater extent, reshuffles the capture important phenomena
presenting as large overhanging plates from occur even in the commune, and when the
deepening their valleys. To prevent flooding, designs and Agrij. Now broadly outlines the
are necessary in many points, consolidation of current configuration of relief. Piedmont
banks, which can be made by planting soft Meseşan begin to take this time to the
essences, and raising banks near the village destruction phase, which continues today;
Românaşi. Românaşi upstream of the - modeling-stage or phase characterized by the
tributary valleys have deepened and predominance of torrential river-slope
strengthened Răstolţ, Tresna, Dry Valley, processes which have an impact on the overall
Valley Ciumărnei in their course Agrij appearance of the landscape into account.
meadow, because they no longer flow. Just to The importance of relief for Depression Agrij
be executed this work and for some torrents settlements in general and those belonging to
that waste-dumping the village Românaşi, in particular, is
the meadow. essential. The contact raised floodplain areas
with slopes, looking for Glacis, entwining
CONCLUSIONS cones from the droppings of mountain
tributaries are most favorable.
For the center of the Depression Agrij, which Geotechnical conditions favorable
includes the village Românaşi, in relation to possibilities for easy water supply and flood
evolutionary reshuffles occur very important protection elements have entered as a
river system in the Quaternary. They justify dynamic emergence and development of both
the importance of erosion processes Agrij villages and communication routes.
lower basin, while confirming some results on Relief has provided good jobs and shelter for
the settlements. Românaşi village formed its
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initial core set of pa Dry Valley, where he
found a sheltered valley between the slopes of
the broad arch. Likewise Ciumărna
intertwined in a small village in the mountain
valley, sheltered from the winds, rich in
springs and cultural fields. We therefore
conclude that relief Românaşi village with a
variety of forms, it was in the pool, typing,
morphostructural and human settlements
development, whose relative dependence
longer maintain this important factor today.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank INSSE, Geological

Institute of Romania and also local authorities
for kindness Românaşi village they gave
evidence.

REFERENCES
[1] Honţuş Adelaida, 2005, Geografia turistică şi
agroturistică a României, Editura CERES, Bucureşti
[2] Posea, Gr. şi colab., 1970, eomorfologie generală,
Editura Didactică şi Pedagogică, Bucureşti
[3] Savu, Al., 1962, Contribuţii la studiul reţelei
hidrografice din Bazinul Almaş-Agrij, St. Univ. Babeş-
Bolyai Cluj-Napoca
*** (2006) – Atlasul climatologic – I.M.H. Bucureşti
*** (2007) – Harta solurilor României, scara
1/500000, Inst. Geol., Bucureşti
*** (2007) – Hărţile topografice militare, scara
1/25000, 1/50000, D.T.M. Bucureşti
*** (2002, 2006, 2007, 2008) – Anuarul statistic al
României, Comisia Natională de Statistică, Bucureşti

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HYDROSPHERE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES FROM COMPLEX
PLANNING HYDROTECHNICAL CINCIŞ-CERNA

Adelaida Cristina HONTUŞ

University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine - Bucharest, Faculty of

Management, Economical Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Developments, No. 59, Mărăşti
Boulevard, no.1 Sector, Bucharest, cod 011464, Romania, e-mail: adelaidahontus@yahoo.com

Corresponding author : adelaidahontus@yahoo.com

Abstract

The reason for choosing this subject it is primarily the desire to publicize, to make known tourist report this
geographical area (area-Cerna Cinciş lake), given that the literature treats this subject very briefly. For the
development work we carried out field investigations, we conducted a thorough documentation of specialized bodies
(Autonomous Romanian Waters-Tg. Mures, Hunedoara Steel Integrated, Hall Teliuc), an analytical research in the
field, starting from the premises location (relief , climate, water, vegetation, soil, etc..), a prerequisite for achieving
tourism (potential lake access, favorable land available for development, tourism can practice different). However,
the work is a rich literature that have attempted to highlight the potential of the neighborhood, the potential
attractiveness of water, to determine the type and existing forms of tourism in this area and make an assessment of
the tourist flow.

Keywords: reservoir lake, river basin, planning hydro catchment flood waves, hydrological system, alluvial material

INTRODUCTION vegetation, soil, etc.), a prerequisite for

Anthropogenic interventions Cerna basin achieving tourism (potential lake access,
favorable land available for development,
dynamics, since 1989, based on the legal
tourism can practice different).
vacuum on the one hand and improper
In carrying out the work we had some
application of the law of the land, on the other
difficulties due to individual privatization
hand, with blatant disregard of environmental
scheme.
issues, comes to argue a once again the need
However, the work is a rich literature that
for reassessment of geographically Cerna
have attempted to highlight the potential of
river basin, and especially of its middle
the neighborhood, the potential attractiveness
course.
of water, to determine the type and existing
Given that, currently, the man tends to be the
forms of tourism in this area and make an
main factor that influences the dynamic
assessment of the tourist flow.
geographic balance of nature preservation is a
necessity in the business of exploiting its
potential resources, and in case of exploitation RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
of the continental lake Travel Cinciş
The whole building hydro reservoirs are
accumulation.
fundamental works, in which the basic
condition of rational management of water
MATERIAL AND METHODS
resources: namely the detention outlet control
flow surplus of the rainy periods in order to
For the development work we carried out field
build reserves for failures. [1]
investigations, we conducted a thorough
Basin storage is controlled territory from
documentation of specialized bodies
which water collects. It should be regarded as
(Autonomous Romanian Waters-Tg. Mures,
a physical body's total geographical,
Hunedoara Steel Integrated, Hall Teliuc), an
hydrological system with a well-defined
analytical research in the field, starting from
natural boundaries and is an integrated
the premises location (relief, climate, water,
package of components (lithology, complex
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stratigraphy, topography, climate, soil, water, The maximum depth 40 m
vegetation) that makes each and develop Lake area 256 ha
following its own laws, independent of human The total volume of 43.5 million m3
will. [2] Gross volume N.N.R. 38.0 mil. m3
Cinciş accumulation was sized and built with The net volume 27.0 million m3
the purpose complex to mitigate flood waves Dead volume of 0.2 million m3
on the Cerna and drinking water and industrial
city of Hunedoara, located on the River Hydrological balance of the accumulation
Cerna. Cinciş
Cinciş accumulation was performed on total Cinciş lake is situated on the river Cerna, left
capacity of 43.5 million m3, of which: tributary of the Mureş and is a left tributary
• 27 million m3 useful volume for water rivers Zlasti, Govăjdia, Valeria.
supply and hydropower use; Following the model of water circulation in
• 14.9 million m3 volume necessary for nature, and if the reservoirs can be a sheet of
mitigation and protection; water where:
• 0.2 million m3 dead volume;
• 1.4 million m3 volume of iron reserves.

Lake Cinciş on Cerna is a lake with an area of

261 ha and a volume of 43.5 million m3.
Cinciş lake collects all the rivers in the area.
Due configuration of land, lake Cinciş shows
the lines form of an appendix presents the
areas of confluence of rivers that formed 1 - Q exhaust (defluent)
tributaries of the Cerna prior arrangement. At 2 - Q evaporated;
present their major riverbed is filled with 3 - Infiltrators adjacent porous state, under the dam;
I - Q tributaries (rivers);
water up to the lake reservoir. II - Q from surface runoff, the slopes ΔQ
The dam is concrete arch. Overall height is 48 III - Q from the rain on the lake surface.
m from the base of the Foundation, including
the depth of the foundation. The dam is In this case we can write: (a) + (2) + (3) -
designed to create a retention of 29 x 10 m3 ΔW/t = (I) + (II) + (III)
193.5 NNR ads. Or: Qafl. + Qprecip. + ΔQ - Qdefl. - Qevap. -
ΔW/t = Q, deviations from the "Q"
representing no-close or error.
Maximum inflow of 1998 was recorded in
June (Qmax. AFL = 5.90 m/s) and minimum
inflow was recorded in August (Qmin.afl =
1.91 m/s)
Maximum water balance in 2008 was 2.47
m/s value recorded in April and the minimum
value was registered in September,
representing - 1.53 m/s.

The degree of clogging with silt the lake

Cinciş
Photo 1. Arch dam of the reservoir Cinciş Determination of displacement curve
(capacity) of Lake Cinciş method was based
Elements of the lake morphometric on a pyramid trunk. This method considers
Current Projects the lake divided into N number of sectors (21
Length 6700 m sectors in the case of calculating cross
Average width of 318 m sections and 22), bounded by vertical
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sections, taken in vertical planes for abrasion slopes own accumulation.
successive sections at different levels of water Assessment for any changes in the lake shores
in the lake. under the influence can be determined by
Following the calculations appeared to offset comparing every lifting aero-
observed between the capacity curve of 1984 photogrammetric made so many years.
and 2004, following the deposit of silt coming b) The volume of silt deposited at the
from the lake basin and thus decrease the total maximum volume of 43.5 reported mil.m3,
amount of accumulation. gives a degree of clogging of 4.17% for a
Overall degree of alluvial accumulation show period of 21 years. This is explained by the
that if it takes into account the input of geological structure formed by metamorphic
sediments expressed as annual average rocks of the slopes for the most part, the
amount of solid flow in the period 1983-2004, nature of the terrain crossed by the river
from direct measurements Topliţa Cerna, sedimentary rocks (sandstone,
hydrometric station (F = 213 km) located at limestone, sandy marl, quartz sand), the
the bottom of the lake and to transmit this existence of dejection cones and level
value dam section (F = 275 km), located about stabilized quite high for the afforestation in
1 km upstream from the confluence with the the upper basin for accumulation.
river Govăjdia, we obtain a quantity of silt All these factors have led to low a
accumulation came into 1.14 million tons, for transportation maintenance Cerna river
a solid multi-annual average flow Q (1984-2004) = sediments.
1.57 km/s and a specific solid rate of 1.8 tons
/ year at an average altitude of 726 m the The potential attractiveness of the landscape
basin. The many features of the landscape and its
It may be noted that the rate of reforestation values of different categories of its forms
of the basin is quite high for the transport of offers a varied potential created and adapted
sediments contributed to the decrease of the rock-structure-relationship modeling agent.
slopes and stabilize their part. [3]
Thus, Cerna Basin is potentially a form of
Relatively high values for the volume of relief varied.
sediments deposited from soil erosion and Geographical area where the lake is located
high action due to such factors as: Cinciş has housing opportunities between
• changes in lake levels; steep slopes and coastal fronts. In this rural
• waves formed by wind action on the surface area are distributed Cinciş, Topliţa.
of the lake; Structural areas that have a high degree of
• geological constitution of the slopes to the continuity, allow access to the interior
lake bottom; mountain region, promoting tours, hiking in
• topographic profile of semi-permanent the mountains.
flooded river banks. Morphographical features of relief in the area
In the analysis performed was found that the have real opportunities for recovery,
accumulation volume Cinciş in 2004 was established itself in this morphological areas
27,204,050 m3. forming large plains, looking for fields.
Following the data analysis process the Morphological areas have entered into
following conclusions can be drawn: anthropogenic processing by human
a). During the period 1984-2004, the lake settlements, ways of communication, careers
Cinciş with a maximum total volume of 43.5 extraction, deforestation and land deeds which
million meters of silt accumulated a total of detail some parts of the relief, others were
approximately 1.79 million m which was leveled, others removed.
made generally below the rate of 270 md M Areas with very sharp gradients appear as
thalweg. unproductive land, less favorably in tourism,
Of this amount, 370,950 m3, where the curve with a discontinuous distribution in its
of capacity in 1964 was accurate, results from valleys: Cerna, Runcu Zlasti, Valeria.
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On the slopes, floodplains and terraces where Therefore, the storage area Cinciş
they occur, morphometric potential is vast, configuration and environment presents a
with a high degree of preference. great interest in recreational and leisure travel.
Streams generated by expansion processes Environmental protection is a major problem
have surfaces partially covered by vegetation, of all world states, which are indispensable to
in the erosion processes which are most addressing the future of mankind.
intense. Another aspect of anthropogenic influence
Another tourist attraction is the key aspect of on the bed of the lake is the lake water
deep valleys, enabling the amplification and pollution. Discharges of wastewater in septic
evolution of heavy erosion and deep. tanks fitted surface (without waterproofing)
located too close to the shores of lake water
The potential attractiveness of the lake quality degrades.
Cinciş lake with a great landscape value, it Lack of firm action to deter waste storage in
was by itself as a tourist, so the base was inappropriate places by operators who work
equipped with tourism (accommodation, here, as well as individuals, leading to
recreation, water sports). pollution and environmental degradation.
Location of a relatively small distance from
the surrounding urban centers, especially the In order to prevent pollution of lake basin
city of Hunedoara, and favorite links by road and the banks would be appropriate to charge
upgraded, made the lake a goal sought for tourists a fee for cleaning up the land they
tourism Cinciş weekend. inhabited.
Cinciş lake in summer becomes a real tourist Also in order to protect the lake basin could
oasis. The attractiveness of high Cinciş is be prevented intensive fishing practice that
given lake and water sports during the warm many tourists fishing tourism which leads to
season and the possibilities of fishing. reduction of fish species in the lake.
The economic development of the area could
CONCLUSIONS set up a tourism, whereas the inhabitants of
this part of the country have many resources.
Cinciş accumulation is located on the river
Cerna, left tributary of the Mureş. Future development of tourism in the area
The importance of the work itself apparent Cinciş-Cerna pursues several aspects:
purpose, flood mitigation, flood defense of the • upgrading and expanding tourist base
industrial and municipal power generation by materials, diversification and rise to the
installing a small hydro power, which is not international standards of services in direct
polluted, improves oxygenation of the water. communication with the potential to be
Thermal regime is influenced by the fact that adopted to new trends (through upgrading of
water discharged downstream of the dam will road infrastructure, a dense network of
have adequate depth of the lake temperature. marked tourist paths);
Changes in water temperature downstream of • development of new forms of tourism-
the dam lake water temperature variation related traditional activities, rural tourism or
depends on offtake depth, higher in summer recovery of surplus space and creating
and lowest in winter. residences.
Cinciş accumulation has a positive impact on All this will help avoid congestion in the
air quality also has positive effect in terms of summer.
ecological diversification due to terrestrial and
aquatic fauna. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Function of lake tourism remains very
important Cinciş the possibilities to offer a Finally, last but not least I would like to thank
beautiful landscape, recreation and leisure in everyone who gave me a helping hand in
sight a short distance from the center of getting the data (Autonomous Regie
Hunedoara populated and polluted.
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"Romanian Waters" - Tg. Mures, Hunedoara
Forest, Hall Teliuc).

REFERENCES

[1] Gâştescu P., 1971., Lacurile din România,

Limnologie Generală, Editura Academiei, Bucureşti
[2] Moraru T., Pişota I., Buta I., 1968, Hidrologia
Generală, Editura Didactică şi Pedagogică, Bucureşti.
[3] Surdeanu V., 1996, Geografia Terenurilor
Degradate, Editura Presa Universitară Clujeană, Cluj
Napoca.
*** Geografia Apelor Române, Editura Ştiinţifică,
Bucureşti, 1972.
*** Râurile României, Monografie Hidrologică,
Institutul Naţional de Meteorologie şi Hidrologie,
Bucureşti, 1998.
*** Hunedoara, Editura Meridiane, Bucureşti, 1981
*** Monografia Hidrologică a Bazinului Mureş, 2006.

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
IN CALARASI COUNTY , CASE-STUDY OF VILLAGE CUZA VODA
Radu Andrei IOVA1, Daniela CREŢU1, Dumitra CONSTANTIN2
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calarasi Branch Romania,
Phone: +0740207985, Fax: + 0242332077, E-mail: danielacretu5@yahoo.com
2
”Sandu Aldea” Agricultural College Calarasi, Prelungirea Bucuresti Street, no.4, Calarasi,
Romania, telephone 0740236673, E-mail constantinmiti@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: andrei_anglia @yahoo.com

Abstract

Social and economic problems that have affected mostly rural areas both argue the need to develop effective
national policies of its development and the need to study social factors likely to enhance the community level
development processes. The subject of today's rural community development has become a strategic priority for
many national development policies. The great interest of many development projects to rural communities is
determined not only by increased rural-urban disparities, but also the need to improve social factors in promoting
citizen participation in community development process. However, while the development of rural communities is
carried out based on imported models, anchored in the reality of villages without a prior study of the existing
situation, it becomes imperative need for thorough investigations of community development from the perspective of
social and economic factors that stimulate.

Keywords: rural development, rural space.

INTRODUCTION a way of life and the countryside is not only

a place of production, but While an area of
Rural areas in Romania is a cardinal complex social and cultural implications on
component of the overall evolution of the the overall status of a nation.
Romanian economy. Three rural resources Under these conditions, this paper
need to give the true size of the restructuring conducted a study on the impact of rural
of agriculture and rural development in our development programs on rural areas in
country: UAA (14.8 million ha), agricultural view of theories, problematic
workforce (3.5 million) and total area of the interdependencies and constraints. Exigency
countryside (90% of the country). finally insist on leaving the major strategy.
If these characteristics of rural Romania, It is important to establish the resources,
adding that our country joined the EU needs, opportunities, menace, competitive
relatively soon, is obvious throughout all advantages. Without a coherent strategy is
areas need to soon become a modern lacking in funds, is wasting resources,
economic and social system, and dynamic especially time, time that flows devafoarea
performance. population living in rural areas.
In this perspective rural Romania must
adopt policies to include elements to MATERIAL AND METHODS
accelerate the process to render, particularly
in the regulation of property rights and To study the rural realities of Calarasi
guarantee this, but also in improving county were used three specific research
infrastructure and education on this specific methods:
segment. 1. dynamic economic analysis, deductive
In an indication of agricultural and rural and quantitative;
policies, however, must proceed from the 2. SWOT analysis;
fact that agriculture is not only an economic 3.ancheta economic or participatory research
sector producing goods and profits, but also that involves collecting information on the
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ground using the research techniques -Satisfaction with life and local public
"questionnaire" and "interview ". services
The starting point for developing the -Living and migration
county's strategy was to analyze the societal, -Trust in institutions and citizen
economic and institutional aspects which led participation
to the identification of key issues facing the -Perception of change and development
county and its potential in order to establish potential of the village
a strategic direction that supports and is rural development
consistent with the purpose Development of -Impact on quality of life in rural areas.
the Strategy at regional level. Questionnaire comprising 17 questions was
The sustainable development strategy Cuza applied to a number of 57 respondents in the
Voda village, were used the following village. The sample was selected with a
sources of data and tools for getting statistical step eşationare based on electoral
information about the current status quo and lists and Agricultural Register to
the identification of local needs: municipalities in order to provide a
1. Cercetarea on documents representative sample in terms of age and
Were analyzed documents provided by the income groups.
City village, Calarasi County Council, The results from the interpretation of this set
Department for Agriculture and Rural of data have led to a research report.
Development and other county public The data were used both in making
institutions, to achieve diagnostic analysis of diagnostic analysis and SWOT analysis to
the village, which included: identify the elements and strands.
- data about the location of the village and - Business Development;
its physical and geographical characteristics; - Human resource development;
- statistics and census carried out locally, in - Local government development;
the fields of demography, employment, - Social services.
economic environment, education and
culture, environmental protection; RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
- specific statistics regarding the
environment and agriculture, realizate 1. Characterization physical geography
Quality of Life Research Institute for the Cuza Voda village, is situated in south-
project "Pollution Control in Agriculture"; eastern Romanian Plain in the south of
- Urban Plan (PUG). Calarasi county, the contact zone of the
The strategy also correlates with the Southern Terrace Baraganului Calarasi.
strategies and action plans at national, Cuza Voda village is situated in the west of
regional and county level. the city of Calarasi at a distance of 10 km
2. Research field from the city of Slobozia, at a distance of
The quantitative research was conducted about 50 km from Bucharest at a distance of
during September-December 2010, based on 110 km.
semi-standardized questionnaire applied to Cuza Voda village has a total area of 13,400
the front, domicile and by interviewing ha. north, near the railway Bucharest -
subjects factors with administrative Constanta and to the south, the Danube,
responsibilities, that: covers approximately 30 km long and from
- local councilors; west to east in about 7 km. In this area, 240
- local key actors (doctors, teachers, priests, ha are occupied by the hearth countryside.
representatives of cultural institutions, Administrative territory of the Cuza - Voda
education, social assistance, Police) ; (13,400 ha) is occupied as follows: arable
- undertakings land 12,200 ha, water surface 900 ha, forest
The survey recorded the views and attitudes 100 ha, live 121 ha, orchards 2 ha, pasture 1
of people in communities Cuza Voda, ha. [4]
Calarasi county, on:
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Cuza Voda village economic characteristic
is the production of grain, combined with 1,75%
industrial crop, vegetable crop and livestock. 28,07%
After 1989, inhabitants, in addition to the 35,09%

work they carry out the land returned to the

state, work in other sectors such as services,
trade, clothing, transport.
Cuza Voda municipality level are a total of
35,09%
97 registered entities, of which only 20
companies engaged in the agriculture, 36 in Very
satisfied
Fairly
satisfied
Not very
satisfied
Not
satisfied
the agriculture and industrial companies and
21 companies that conduct trade and The number of people, quite satisfied, is
services activities in the three villages[2]. equal to that of the “not too happy,, -
The transition to market economy has 35.09%.
completely changed the structure of
Question 2 a b c d
agriculture both in terms of property by
When you Proud Pleased Unpleased Indifferent
returning land to former owners and to the think of the
municipality 5,26% 43,86% 38,60% 12,28%
organization and its leadership. Mixed farms where you live
are composed of parts of both vegetal and you can say
that
animal activity and are more efficient and
viable[1].
Average number of household is 2.9 persons
12,28 % 5,26%
- representing the same value as the national
average. Population distribution by sex
shows little difference (49.1% men and
43,86%
50.9% women) recorded significant 38,60%

differences by age. Over a third of the

population is over 55 years, falling within
Proud Pleased Unpleased Indifferent
the general trend of aging, specific rural
area. The fertility rate is higher than the Only 43.80% of the total subjects were
national average. The mortality rate is quite satisfied with the municipality where they
high. live.
Total number of employees is 1618, almost Question 3. In the hierarchy of the operation
75% of them are men. Unemployment rate of local public services, sewerage and roads
(8%) is around the national average. Only in the village, along with medical care
one third of the employees wages, services are made notes of how these
representing 30% of these people engaged in responsibilities. 13.96% before the public
agricultural activities. Industry is also an are satisfied with the roads leading to town
important sector, covering a quarter of water supply 14.16%, 11.09% of public
employees. Approximately 40% are lighting, 13.42% of health care, school and
employed in other economic sectors such as home culture 12.81% . Compared with roads
public administration, trade, transport, only 9.54% are satisfied with the sewerage
education[3] . 5.42%, most believing that they need the
2. Questionnaire results are summarized most improvement.
as follows:
Question 4 a b c d

Question 1 a b c d Migration of Live Remain Go to Go to

How satisfied Very Fairly Not Not young the in the town other
are generally satisfied satisfied very satisfied country village village
the way you satisfied
47,37% 3,51% 49,12% 0%
live? 1,75% 35,09% 35,09% 28,07

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0% 15,79% 3,51%
42,11%

49,12% 38,59%
47,37%

Town hall The church The school Other

The institution in which citizens have the

3,51%
greatest trust of the village is the church -
Live the Remain in Go to Go to other
42.11%.
country the village town village Question 11. What is the public person
Almost half of those polled - 49.12%, that you trust most?
believes that young people are going to town The priest is the person in public that the
Question 6. Do you think your last child public trust most - 40,35%.
having to make a future in this village, Question 12 a b c d
How do you Mayor Word Other Village
another village in the city abroad? know about the / of officials secreta
64.91% of respondents consider providing a programs and Deputy mouth of the ry
activities of Mayor munici-
better life for children is in town. City Hall? pality
Question 7. Do you have land? Of all 5,26% 57,90% 7,02% 5,26%
respondents, even if they live in rural areas, Question 12 e f g h
How do you The Local Professors, From no
nearly half - 49.12% have no land, and those know about the priest Councill teachers one
who owned land - 40.35% chose its lease. programs and or
activities of
Question 8. Subjective appraisal of City Hall? 0% 0% 1,75% 22,81
incomes. The income level of rural %

inhabitants is low, reaching only the strictly

necessary - 29.82%. 22,81 %
5,26%
0%
5,26%
1,75%
3,51%
24,56% 26,32% 0%
57,90%
7,02 %

15,79% Mayor / Deputy Mayor Word of mouth

29,82%
Other officials of the Village secretary
municipality
Local Councillor
The priest
They will not even cover From no one
Professors, teachers
We get only the strictly necessary
We get a decent living, but we can not afford to buy Hall activities are disseminated to the
expensive goods public, information is transmitted orally
We manage to buy some expensive things, but with the
restriction in other areas among villagers - 57.90%.
We manage to have everything we need, without any Question 13. What would you change if you
restriction from something
were mayor?
Question 9. Sources of income. Income 0%
19,31%
population in the vast majority of 3,51%
1,75%
respondents came from wages - 56.14%, 14,04%
income from agricultural production is 49,12 %

almost nonexistent, 1.75%

8,77 %
Question a b c d 0% 1,75%
1,75%
10 Park, development of
Create jobs
What is the Town The The Other entertainment places
Attracting investors
institution hall church school Helping poor people Roads, including sidewalks
that you 3,51% 42,11% 38,59% 15,79% Dispensary, pharmacy Gas network connection
trust? School, house of culture Other s
Administration, the management Nothing

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process of questioning the inhabitants
Providing new jobs for citizens of the believe that active and continuous
village is the main desire of respondents - involvement in local socio-economic
49.12% development of municipalities will increase
Question 14. What do you think should be gradually, with the realization that every
changed in the village villager should be actively involved in
0%
0% 7,02% 0% 0% community development of the locality in
0%
which they live.
24,56%
3,51% 2.For economic development of the village
over the next 10 years are taken into account
2%
21,05% 42,11% these strategic directions of development:
I. Developing and upgrading physical
Roads, including sidewalks Water and sewerage
infrastructure
Create jobs Attracting investors II. Agricultural development
Dispensary, pharmacy Park, development of III. Tourism potential
entertainment places
More cleaning Gas network connection IV.Development and diversification
School, house of culture, Others Creating the infrastructure for business
kindergarten
Nothing
3.Impactul expected from implementation of
People's desires about creating jobs - the strategy aims to:
42.11%, only in this way their standard of • professionalization of farmers;
living will increase. • lowering the average age of employed
26,32%
rural population;
• equal opportunities between women and
men
• expansion of consulting the population
profile and awareness of their necessity;
8,77%
• emergence of new jobs, stable
64,91% unemployment rate implicit in the
Yes, through the work
countryside;
• reduction and / or avoid the risk of
Yes, through the money depopulation;
• improve services will increase awareness
I would not be willing to help of rural civilization;
• increase income and quality of life in rural
Questions 16 and 17 refer to the education communities;
and age of respondent • renovation of villages and the potential of
Educational level of preparation of natural, cultural and historical;
respondents is high, 38.60% of them have • Awareness, education and empowerment
high school and 17.54% are university of rural population to the importance of
graduates. environmental quality;
Of those who attended 40.35% are aged • real opportunities for the emergence of
between 18-34 years, 38.6% were aged 35- new activities;
59 years and 21.05% fall in the age group • increase awareness and information quality
over 60 years. by diversifying access roads;
• development of farm, forestry and fishery
CONCLUSONS modern, efficient, sustainable, in line with
Community standards;
1. In Following meetings with • establishment and / or rehabilitation of
administrative responsibilities and the rural infrastructure;
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• reduction and / or eliminate the disparities

between rural and urban areas.

4.The strategy of Cuza Voda municipality

will be based, in terms of implementation, a
project to streamline the local public
administration act, through the
implementation and use of the institution's
management principles and specific
mechanisms Hall project management .
Project management of the village will
allow public administration to develop skills
to identify, develop and implement projects
under its responsibility and, according to
local development strategy undertaken by
the identification stage, design and planning
to the evaluation of the results.
To ensure that work is proceeding as
planned and within budget.

REFERENCES

[1] *** Calarasi Statistical Yearbook - 2010 edition

[2] *** General Urban Plan of the village Cuza Voda
[3] *** Statistical data from the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and the County Training and
Employment Agency of Employment
[4] *** Statistical data from the Agricultural and
Rural Development

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CAPITALIZATION OF TOURISM POTENTIAL, IN PROTECTED AREAS
IN CALARASI COUNTY
Radu Andrei IOVA1, Daniela CREŢU1 , Dumitra CONSTANTIN2
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, Romania,
phone: + 0740450506 e-mail : danielacretu5@yahoo.com
2
”Sandu Aldea” Agricultural College Calarasi, Prelungirea Bucuresti Street, no.4, Calarasi,
Romania, telephone 0740236673, E-mail constantinmiti@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: andrei_anglia @yahoo.com

Abstract

Areas protected by their natural value and the low level of human intervention in their territory, are the best
examples and models and semi-natural ecological systems.In Europe, Romania has the most diverse and valuable
natural heritage, the area of protected natural areas of national interest, reported the country's surface is 7%.
Natura 2000 European Ecological Network offers numerous tools and extension inclusion and management of
protected areas in Romania, is an important step towards the landscape and biodiversity conservation.In other
words, in terms of natural background, the network serves both the interests of Romania and the European Union.

Keywords: natural habitats, tourism, biodiversity, protected areas, the european ecological network

INTRODUCTION species and species placed under special

protection. Tourism potential, Calarasi
Protected areas are still perceived by many County, is underutilized at less than 130 km
people but in their meaning from Bucharest and around 100 km from
"conservationist" and are considered true Constanta and Black Sea.
"oasis" of wildlife to be protected only for The study aims to identify, in the Calarasi
conservation of species that inhabit it. Very county, the potential for tourism
little is acknowledged that areas under semi- development, which is aimed at those who
natural and is in fact support the "life" and wish to visit the existing nature reserves,
thus the socio-economic development. biotope and for those interested in the
County of the least known natural wealth Danube.
can become a magnet for turism.
REZULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In Europe, Romania has the most diverse
Calarasi touring presence in the pages of and valuable natural heritage, the area of
Romania's Guide comes as a confirmation of protected natural areas of national interest,
its tourist potential. The existence of reported the country's surface is 7%. The
archaeological remains, the natural reserves, categories of protected natural areas (Table
the wealth of architectural heritage in the 1) are of national interest (scientific
context of current trends of socio-economic, reserves, national parks, natural monuments,
strategic positioning along the Danube, nature reserves and natural parks)
making it an area of great importance in the international interest (natural sites of
national landscape, with strong roots, and universal natural heritage, geoparks,
dynamic presence extraordinary growth wetlands of international importance,
prospects. Biosphere Reserves) and sites of
In Calarasi county there are six natural areas Community interest, Natura 2000 "sites of
protected by law for the fauna and flora Community importance (Table 2), Special
living in the areas of rare plant and animal Areas of Conservation, Bird protection areas

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(Table 3), county or local interest: combination of farming and nature
determined solely on public / private protection alternatives. Establishment of
administrative - territorial units, as Natura 2000 is "Community foundation of
appropriate. nature conservation policy. " All countries
that joined the European Union or aspire to
Table 1 – NATURAL AREAS PROTECTED IN membership issues facing the Natura 2000
REGION 3 SOUTH MUNTENIA[1]
REGION 3 SOUTH Area- ha
network and the need to adopt the Birds
Number Directive - 79/409/EEC and Habitats
MUNTENIA
County Argeş 32 32613,73 Directive - 92/43/EEC. Each Member State
County Călăraşi 5 3224,3 may choose its own mechanisms to engage
County Damboviţa 13 18228,93
County Giurgiu 6 27561,5
in this collective effort. Natura 2000 is a
County Ialomiţa 4 221 step in the foundation of nature conservation
County Prahova 7 13325,04 policy in the European Union. Natura 2000
County Teleorman 5 1782 network consists of:
Total 72 96956.5 - SAC (Special Areas for Conservation)
designated for: Natural Habitats (198 listed
Table 2 -SCI – SITES OF COMMUNITY
IMPORTANCE (Order 1964/2007) [3] in the Habitats Directive), species of flora
REGION 3 SOUTH Area -ha and fauna (over 800 listed in the Habitats
Number
MUNTENIA Directive);
County Argeş 5 127281,2 - SPA (Special Protection Areas - Areas of
County Călăraşi 2 18967,28
County Damboviţa 4 20352,35
Special Protection Bird) designated for
County Giurgiu 3 33902,1 species of birds (about 200 under the Birds
County Ialomiţa 1 6627 Directive);
County Prahova 5 24024,8 - SCI (Sites of Community Importance ) is a
County Teleorman 2 7389,93
Total 22 238544,66
site which, in the biogeographic region or
regions to which it belongs, contributes
Table 3 - BPS - BIRD PROTECTION SITES significantly to the maintenance or
(reported by GD 1284/2007) [2] restoration of habitat or species at an
REGION 3 SOUTH Area -ha appropriate stage conservation and at the
Number
MUNTENIA
Judeţul Argeş 1 2180,7
same time, the coherence of Natura 2000
Judeţul Călăraşi* 6 37134,28 and / or maintaining biological diversity
Judeţul Giurgiu 3 41212,2 biogeographic region or regions concerned.
Judeţul Ialomiţa 7 20124 Natura 2000 sites should include human
Judetul Teleorman 3 35708,7 activities that are compatible with
Total 20 136359,88
Note: * SPA Danube Oltenita ranges whereas the number in the conservation goals, and people need to
county of suparafaţa in this county is higher (93.9%) understand, through their experience, why a
Natura 2000 European Ecological Network particular site deserves to be protected.
offers numerous tools and extension Natura 2000 objectives are:
inclusion and management of protected - halting biodiversity decline by long-term
areas in Romania, is an important step conservation of the most valuable species
towards the landscape and biodiversity and habitats of Community interest;
conservation. In other words, in terms of -protecting Europe's biodiversity;
natural background, the network serves both - promoting economic benefits.
the interests of Romania and the European The advantages are:
Union. It is a system of nature protection, - economic activities can continue in a
protection that does not necessarily mean Natura 2000 site, provided to avoid
"limitations and restrictions. Nature 2000 activities that could affect the site-specific
allows both preservation and further species or habitats;
development of biodiversity in Romania. - are recognized and protected the interests
Thus, we see opportunities in many of local people - Natura 2000 does not mean
directions: from sustainable tourism, a the disposal of land, but to preserve the
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traditional agro-pastoral practices which do is a nature reserve of gray oak, the age of 66
not harm existing heritage forest; years.
- development of tourism and agro-tourism, Ciornuleasa Forest is forest reserve
local labeling of natural products that may Mostiştea Baragan, a unique type of forest
become recognized brands, preferred species richness in space Baraganului by
artificial preparations; tree vegetation and the existing valuable
-the possibility of attracting European funds hunting here (rabbit, boar, deer, pheasants).
- employment; Forest is an attraction for hunters.
- relaxation and leisure; Ciornuleasa hunting forest and nature
- promotion of natural and cultural heritage; reserve, founded in 1954, protects a lowland
The status of Natura 2000 site is a forest type highway with many southern
successful European image and recognition, elements, made of oak, gray oak, hornbeam,
which is a source of pride for locals, it Carpini, lime, ash fluffy Turkish cherry,
creates a chain of places in Europe with a elm, etc. Reserve Unit is part of the Forest
nature that deserves kept in good condition Products Ciornuleasa Mitreni VIII, Calarasi
because it has a lot to offer and future Forestry Department, as state property.
generations. Gateway to the reserve is a county road
To declare a site "Natura 2000", taking into Monastery - Soldanu - Luica.
account the site's natural characteristics, Falcon Ostrovul Nature Reserve covers an
economic interests, cultural, social and area of 20,1 ha and is located on the
economic activities are allowed in support Danube, from km 350, near Dichiseni. Part
of sustainable development and does not of the Production Unit of Forestry III
affect the favorable conservation status of Dervent Calarasi.
the site concerned. Harlambie Ostrovul Nature Reserve covers
Select a region of "Natura 2000" means an area of 44,9 hectares and has a length of
acknowledging the importance of the 500 meters. It is located on the Danube,
European area, is a source of pride for from km 400, and part of the Production
locals, but they can also provide significant Unit of Forestry and the Danube Calarasi.
economic opportunities. Ciocanesti Ostrovul Nature Reserve covers
In Calarasi county there are six protected an area of 206,7 ha and has a length of 300
areas. These are: Reserve Ciornuleasa forest, m. It is located on the Danube, 395 km and
birds and fauna Iezer Natural Reserve - is part of the Production Unit of Forestry
Calarasi Nature Reserve Ostrovul Falcon, and the Danube Calarasi.
Haralambos Ostrovul Nature Reserve, Islets freshwater habitats with vegetation
Nature Reserve and Nature Reserve and fauna species protected under the
Ostrovul Ciocanesti Ciocanesti AIA.[1] Convention in Bonn, Bern and CITES and
Ciornuleasa Forest Reserve. The attention the Habitats and Birds Directives.
and care in Calarasi county forest and fauna
is rich in species represented in our valuable Table 4- Key islets like sites - Natura 2000[2]
Island Km Area SPA (H.G. 1284 of
forests hunting: deer, deer and wild boar, 24 october 2007)
which enhance the value and beauty Albina 410 58,6 ha Dunăre Olteniţa
ecositemului forest. On an area of 73.2 ha is Haralambie 400 44,9 ha -
Ciocăneşti 395 206,7 ha Ciocăneşti Dunăre
forest reserve Ciornuleasa where vegetate Trămşani/Pisica 365 29,2 ha Dunăre Ostroave
ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and gray oak Şoimu 353 20,1 ha Dunăre Ostroave
(Querqus pedunculiflora), specimens of Turcescu 344-342 156 ha Dunăre Ostroave
Cianu Nou 342 48,1 ha Dunăre Ostroave
these species having more than 120 years of Fermecatu 324-322 187,8 ha Dunăre Ostroave
age.
Among herbaceous species can be sourced
here Symphytum officinale, Adonis
vernalis, Stipa pinnate, Anemone silvestis,
Echium rubrum. On an area of 19,1 hectares
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Table 5- Key islets like sites - Natura 2000 [3] trend is substantiated
by scientific value,
Island Nature
Reserves originality, the unique character of these
(H.G.
SCI 2151of 30
areas housed sightseeing plus tourists need
(O.M. 1964 of 13 december
2007)
november to spend a large part of the holidays in terms
2004
Albina Olteniţa-Mostiştea –Chiciu of nature unspoiled, unpolluted.
Haralambie Olteniţa-Mostiştea –Chiciu + 2. Natural conservation of protected natural
Ciocăneşti Olteniţa-Mostiştea –Chiciu +
Trămşani/Pisica Canaralele Dunării areas are those whose aims are the
Şoimu Canaralele Dunării + protection and preservation of important
Turcescu Canaralele Dunării
Cianu Nou Canaralele Dunării
natural habitats and species.In addition to
Fermecatu Canaralele Dunării scientific activities, if any, may be admitted
Natural Reserve Iezer birds and fauna - tourist activities, educational events.
Calarasi. Of Meadow Lakes, numerous other 3. All these nature reserves, in addition to
times, the northern part of Marsh Calarasi, the scientific importance, can acquire, over
the deepest region of the tank is the former time, and an obvious practical value.
lake Calarasi - Calarasi Iezer. On 31 May 4. Conservation of flora and fauna
2001 between EPA and SC Calarasi representative of the tourism offer
Piscicola S.A. occurred on the protection biocoenosis will enrich the palette, that rural
and conservation agreement in the present tourism can develop in the area.
avifauna Iezer - Călăraşi. În 30 October 5. With the existence of the six protected
2001, in Case nr.58/26.10.2001 Calarasi areas in the county is having the choice and
County Council, establishes the system of implementation of best development
protection and conservation of avifauna projects and tourism recovery following the
Iezer Calarasi area. This decision has been opportunity and feasibility studies and
taken having regard to the value of environmental impact;
biological diversity, conservation of birds of 6. Tourism activities in protected areas in the
one side and the other part of their living Calarasi county can take different forms,
environment, given the present species of specific and complex, raising issues related
migratory birds, birds of passage and to tourism planning as protection and
sedentary. They are present across species of preservation of ecosystems, as well as
birds protected by international conventions. general infrastructure development,
Reserve has an area of 2877 hectares, of equipment and accommodation facilities for
which body of water and 530 ha of recreation and tourism.
agricultural land, ditches, pastures, roads, 7. We need a policy design and
dams 2347 ha. It is located in the Danube implementation of specific marketing and
and the administration of village and town promotion of protected areas in the county
Calarasi Cuza Voda, with state ownership of protected areas very poorly known.
and private. Access roads to the reserve are
the national road (DN 3A), county and local REFERENCES
road way.
AIA Ciocanesti Nature Reserve. It covers an [1]*** Statistics Calarasi County Agency for
area of 230 ha and is located in the village Environmental Protection
Ciocanesti. The reserve can be reached on [2] *** H.G. nr.1284/2007 declaring Bird special
protection areas as part of the Natura 2000 European
Calarasi county road - Monastery. He was
ecological network Romania;
recognized as a protected natural area due to [3]*** Nr.1964 Order of 13 December 2007 on the
wild birds that live here. creation of the protected natural area
[4] *** Development Strategy Calarasi county -2007-
CONCLUSIONS 2013

1. In practice there is international tourism is

a growing interest for potential consumers
of tourism for visiting protected areas. This

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IMPORTANCE OF THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN THE UPPER DANUBE REGION
Marko JELOČNIK1, Velibor POTREBIĆ1, Zoran NJEGOVAN2
1
Institute of Agricultural Economics, Belgrade
15 Volgina street, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia, Phone: +381 64 66 88 357
Fax: +381 11 2972 858, E-mail: marko_j@mail.iep.bg.ac.rs, cipomarket@yahoo.com
2
Faculty of Agriculture Novi Sad
Dositej Obradovic square no. 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
E-mail: njegovan@polj.uns.ac.rs

Corresponding author: marko_j@mail.iep.bg.ac.rs

Abstract

During the December 2010, the European Commission established the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, Strategy that targets
macro-region consisted of parts of 8 EU and 6 non-EU countries (including Serbia). Expected start of the Document
implementation is April 2011. Also, according to the fact that Republic of Serbia is mostly agrarian country, where rural areas
dominate, and agriculture represents substantial component of economic development, and since some of identified issues in
mentioned Strategy are transportation, communication, energy and environmental problems, there is a need for presentation of
general conditions of physical infrastructure facilities in the rural areas of Upper Danube zone in Serbia (primarily on the
territory of Bač and Apatin municipalities). As it is known, development of certain rural regions is represented in rising of life
standard quality of local population, what implies modern, reliable and well spatially projected physical infrastructure elements
with adequate capacity. Complete insight into the current state of infrastructural elements could improve cooperation between
territories connected by Danube River, and could also influence equalization of uneven socio-economic development of
mentioned areas. From the standpoint of Serbia, through the timely prepared infrastructural projects, local authorities from the
observed zone could easier reach future EU pre-accession funds for the rural development.

Key words: rural development, physical infrastructure, Upper Danube region, Serbia.

INTRODUCTION Serbia. Region includes two large (Sava and Tisa)

and few smaller tributaries, as well as national
The Danube Region is one of the most important parks Fruška Gora and Đerdap. [11]
areas in Europe, covering several Member States Like in complete Republic, Danube basin in
and non-EU countries in the river basin. The Serbia considered mostly rural areas, where
complete area can be considered to be 800,000 agriculture is dominant economy activity within
km2, with a population over 100 million. During local population. One cannot argue the fact that in
2010, the European Commission established the these areas there are real employment possibilities
EU Strategy for the Danube Region. Issues of for many unemployed persons, considering that
interested within the Region are economic and investments in rural areas are more than justified
social disparities, infrastructure deficiencies, (territories in which the minimum investment can
environmental status, prevention against natural achieve the maximum effect of employment).
risks, etc. Strategy is under the EU 2020 framework That can initiate not only the development of
and in line with the adopted Lisbon Treaty.1 [1] certain rural areas, but would affect the balanced
Danube River runs through Serbia with 588 km. It development of all areas within the Republic, with
is completely navigable and represents natural the development of both the agricultural
border with Croatia and Romania. Except two production and other economic activities (tourism,
largest cities, Belgrade and Novi Sad, it connects transportation, trade, catering, etc.). [7]
many smaller cities and municipalities within This is why national agencies and local
governments by series of established strategic
1
In brief it states that the EU shall promote economic, social documents on Republic and local level actively
and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among Member States.
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work on harmonization of planned and Strategy of sustainable development of the
implemented project activities, as like supporting municipality Apatin (for period 2009-2019) and
legislation, recognized by the EU Commission as Strategy of socio-economic development of the
vital for the Danube Region. Among national municipality Bač (for period 2009-2014) which
strategic documents that are related to observed are created by the expert team, mostly composed
territory stands out: Spatial development strategy with researchers from Institute of Agricultural
of the Republic of Serbia 2009-2013-2020; Economics Belgrade, Serbia. Having in focus
National program for rural development 2011– researching goal, data analysis is based on
2013; Republic of Serbia water resources standard statistical-mathematical indicators and
development master plan; Strategy of railway, method applied was “desktop study”.
road, inland waterway, air and intermodal
transport development in the Republic of Serbia RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
for 2008-2015; Tourism development strategy of
Republic of Serbia; Master plan and feasibility Modern agricultural production presumes
studies - inland waterway transports – Serbia; multifunctionality, where agricultural resources
Study of the network of marinas on the Danube in are not used only for food production, but also for
AP Vojvodina; Tourist destination of Upper other purposes (energy production, growing of
Danube master plan, Tourist destination of Lower medicinal plants, hunting, fishing, tourism, etc.).
Danube master plan, etc. Besides that, residents of rural areas nowadays
Among specific issues within EU Strategy for the require satisfactory life quality that implies the
Danube Region are: environment protection, water existence and adequate functioning of all elements
resources preservation, prevention against natural of physical infrastructure (transportation and
risks, reinforcement of socio-economic, human and telecommunications, energetics, public utilities –
institutional development, as well as improvement water supply and sewerage system).
of connectivity and communication systems Transportation
(within and outside the Region), intermodal nodes, Natural predispositions of Apatin and Bač
energy systems, increase of renewable and clean municipalities observed from spatial and
energy usage, information society, etc. physically–geographical level, as present terrain
Realization of most issues will greatly improve configuration, indicate that they have relatively
current living conditions in rural areas for local suitable traffic, communicative and strategic
population. Danube Region in Serbia is divided position (border municipalities; nearness and
into two parts, Upper and Lower zone. Zone of potentially easy access to Pan-European corridors
Upper Danube region is settled in AP Vojvodina. It X and Vc, and through them to transport
covers area of 1,528 km2 with local centres, infrastructure of neighbouring countries – Croatia
Sombor city and municipalities of Apatin and Bač. and Hungary, or other European countries; they
In paper focus will be state of physical rely on Pan-European corridor VII – Danube river)
infrastructure on the territory of municipalities and much bigger potential in compare to so far
Apatin and Bač, and its influence on local economy used. [9], [10]
development. From the standpoint of Serbia, as a) Condition of road network
well as zone of Upper Danube region, through Road network within the territory of Bač and
timely prepared infrastructural projects, local Apatin municipalities is consisted of state and
authorities could easier reach future EU pre- municipal roads. Connection of municipalities with
accession funds established for the development of the close and far surrounding, primarily with the
certain elements within rural areas. network of Trans-European highways, is realized
by the major road M-18: Sombor-Bač-Bačka
MATERIAL AND METHODS Palanka and regional roads R-102: Bačko Novo
Selo-Bač-Novi Sad; R-101: Apatin-Sombor-
Research was based on available data resources, Bogojevo (border with Croatia). Road network
primarily on the official data of the Statistical capacity is given by the Table 1. According to the
Office of the Republic and documents under titles indicator, density of road network, Bač (0.28
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km/km²) and Apatin (0.19 km/km²) are far behind tourism along the Danube coast is unimaginable
the Republican average, 0.43 km/km². without port complex for the reception of touristic
and private vessels, with all accompanying facilities
Table 1. Comparative structure of road network and infrastructure. Perfect location on the territory
Modern
Major roads
Modern
Regional roads
Modern of Bač municipality for port building is in Bačko
Area Σ carriage
Σ Σ
way
carriage
way
carriag
way
Novo Selo, while in Apatin municipality is
Serbia 38,436 24,531 4,759 4,752 10,448 9,039 expected reconstruction of the pier at the location of
Vojvo-
5,892 5,224 1,530 1,527 1,799 1,770
dina the Danube offshoot, as well as relocation of cargo
Apatin 65 56 0 0 31 31
Bač 104 90 7 7 23 23 port into the zone of freight-transport centre.
Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade, Besides that, Development strategy of the nautical
Serbia, Municipalities in Serbia, 2008. capacities on the Pan-European Corridor VII
There is an objective need for the broadening of presumes building of the smaller capacity marina
existing road network and improvement of its on the course of the Danube River in the western
spatial layout, in order to better connect all part of Apatin, as the construction of the ferry
settlements with the municipal centres (more terminal Bač (Bučkovac - Plavna) - Vukovar
efficient connection of all economic activities and (Croatia) for the transfer of people and vehicles.
settlements in one functional entirety). c) Condition of railway network
Aggravating circumstance could be the lack of On the territory of AP Vojvodina around 712 km of
financial assets of local governments, as well as railroads meets all standards of passenger and
material limitation on Republic level for larger freight transportation, while only about 30% of
investment in reconstruction of present and railways are electrified. Through its territory are
building of new roads. Influence of neglected road passing three major European railways:
infrastructure is the most obvious on the example
of agriculture and tourism (purchased agricultural a) Budapest – Subotica - Novi Sad –Belgrade -
products often lose on quality due to bad transport Niš, with a prong Niš – Skopje – Thessaloniki -
conditions, while local touristic development Athens (E-85);
largely depends on the roads quality and easiness b) Paris – Milan – Trieste – Ljubljana – Zagreb –
of access to tourist attractions). Belgrade – Niš – Sofia – Istanbul (E-70), and
b) Condition of waterways network c) Belgrade – Vršac - Timisoara (E-66).
Waterway of the Danube River is defined as the For the Bač municipality of particular importance is
Pan-European Corridor VII, natural route that the railroad Odžaci – Karavukovo - Bač, one-track
connects 10 European countries, and which is non-electrified railroad for goods transportation,
integral part of the Trans-European navigable main with only one station. For the Apatin municipality
trajectory Rhine-Main-Danube, with a total length of particular importance is the railroad Apatin -
of 3,505 km. On the Danube are positioned 44 Sombor, one-track non-electrified railroad for
international ports, while on the section of 588 km freight transportation with 4 stations on it. Both
that pass through Republic of Serbia is built 9 municipalities have recognized the future of
harbours. On the territory of AP Vojvodina, railways in the revitalization and modernization of
between the rivers Danube and Tisza, as well as existing rail directions (that will enable connection
Begej and Tamiš, on approximately 12,700 km² with the rail Corridor X), as in the development of
outspreads channel system Danube-Tisa-Danube. cargo terminals and industrial sidings.
The total length of all channels is 929 km, and they d) Condition of air traffic
are designed for the ships with smaller tonnage. Considering that air traffic is defined as the
Channel system includes fourteen smaller port economically most expensive way of people and
complexes. goods transportation, on the territories of Bač and
Water transport within the Bač and Apatin Apatin municipalities there is no real need for
municipalities is present through the Danube River organization of this kind of traffic. Passengers and
and the DTD Canal (channel routs Karavukovo - goods are usually directed to the Belgrade airport.
Bački Petrovac and Bezdan - Prigrevica). More Energetics
active development of economy and nautical
a) Heating
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In observed municipalities there is no system for On the territory of Bač municipality there is no gas
remote central heating. Households and pipeline infrastructure (gas pipeline network).
companies are solving this issue by the use of Momentarily, technical documentation for the
electric energy, gas or solid fuel. Some public municipality gasification is in the process of
institutions, business and individual buildings establishment. On the other side, area of Apatin
have individual boiler for central heating. municipality possesses the complex of master gas
b) Electrical energy station. Total length of gas pipeline network is
around 85 km, of which distribution network under
Among the transformed forms of energy the most
medium-pressure takes 30 km. For now, gas is
presented is electrical energy. Its distributor for the
provided only in the city core. Meanwhile, local
territory of AP Vojvodina is PE Elektrovojvodina
authorities and PE Srbijagas were signed a contract
Novi Sad, which takes electrical energy from
about gasification of all settlements within the
unique Republic power system, operated by the PE
territory of municipality.
Electric Power Industry of Serbia. Final distribution
of electric energy to consumers is done in two Telecommunications
ways, through 10 electric distribution companies Today, imperative of some region development, as
that are part of PE Elektrovojvodina or by direct indicator of better life standard of local population,
supply of the largest industrial users by PE is pictured with good spatially projected, by
Elektrovojvodina. Distribution of electric power on capacity sufficient, modern and reliable
the territory of Bač and Apatin municipalities is telecommunication infrastructure.
under the jurisdiction of Sombor electric a) Fixed telephony and post offices
distribution company.
Performer of all construction works and owner of all
Supply of electric power within the AP Vojvodina facilities related to the system of fixed telephony, on
is through 220 kV and 110 kV electric networks, the territory of the Republic of Serbia, is PE Telekom
over 58 substations, with total length of power Srbija A.D. In the municipality of Bač there are 6
lines of 24,015 km, total installed power of 8.526 digital telephone switchboards with maximal
MW and 9,612 transformers. capacity from 6,600 telephone connections. Primary
Consumers supply with electric power on the area of network, between settlements is mostly underground
the Bač and Apatin municipalities is done by (optical cables), while the secondary network, within
medium-voltage (transmission) electric network (20 the settlements, is usually over ground (on wooden
kV) and low-voltage (0.4 kV) electric network with poles), with unsatisfactory capacity and quality. On
associated substations (20/0.4 kV). As the present the territory of the Apatin municipality there are 5
electric grid is under the constant pressure of digital telephone switchboards with maximal
growing consumption, the problem represents capacity from 11,880 telephone connections. Trough
inadequate capacities and poor technical the city core of Apatin is passing a mayor regional
characteristics of power lines and distributive optical cable Sombor – Apatin - Sonta.
substations. Although primary and secondary Telecommunication network is mostly underground,
network cover the municipalities area quite well, and smaller part is over ground (mostly in rural and
there are real needs of reconstruction of low-voltage poorly populated areas of the municipality).
electric network, as it is mostly over ground. According the data of Statistical Office of the
c) Gas pipeline Republic of Serbia, current density of TT network
Within the territory of AP Vojvodina around 1,560 (number of telephone lines per 100 inhabitants) is:
km of gas pipeline network is stretched out. Supplier 60.4 on the territory of Bač municipality, 37.4 on
of all potential consumers with natural gas is PE the territory of Apatin municipality, or 38.5 on the
NIS-Gas, Novi Sad. Distribution of gas to the large territory of Serbia and 37.9 on the territory of AP
consumers (industry and communal energetics) is Vojvodina.
through the route of high-pressure gas pipeline with Based on available data of PE PTT
direct supply. Other consumers are supplied by the Communications Serbia, on the territory of Bač
32 independent distribution companies. municipality are 6 post offices with 9 post
windows, while on the territory of Apatin

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municipality are 5 post offices with 11 post pressure of potentially new users, specific problem is
windows. Current spatial distribution of the post presented by smaller sections with asbestos pipes.
offices, their number, assortment and quality of Supply of all settlements with drinking water is
services, fits to the present concentration and needs satisfactory. Establishment of regional water supply
of local population. system is planned (Bačka regional system). By
b) Mobile telephony focusing on the percentage of households connected
to the public water system, it could be noticed that
According to available data within the observed
Apatin (88%) is in much better position than the
municipalities all operators that are operating in the
Republic level (79%). On other hand, value of this
Republic are present (Telekom Srbija A.D., Telenor
indicator for the Bač municipality (75%) is equal to
and VIP Mobile). Base stations-aerials which are
the Republic level. AP Vojvodina has the highest
built and mobile telephone signal, for a majority of
value for this indicator, 93%.
population who are living into the remote hamlets
(where system of fixed telephony has not b) Channelling liquid waste
established yet, or it is with prominently bad On the territory of Bač municipality channelling of
technical characteristics) is often, only one liquid waste is not on satisfactory level. So, except
telecommunication frame. Coverage of the territory city core, sewage system does not cover any other
by the signal of mentioned operators is generally settlement (disposal of liquid waste is usually done
satisfactory. Usual complaints are on strength of through the septic tanks) what directly threatens
available signal in certain locations, as well on environment and health of local population.
overlapping of signal of local operators with the Until now, the best solution would be that touristic
signal of operators from the neighbouring Croatia localities and weekend cottage zones can solve the
within the border settlements. wastewater problem by establishment of mini-
c) Internet facilities for biological treatment. In the municipality
Having in focus basic IT infrastructure, observed of Apatin, existing facility for biological treatment of
region is in national average. In municipalities wastewater has lost its function with the growth of
exists sufficient number of internet providers. Most hydraulic and biological burden. It is planned
often are offered services of dial-up, ADSL and building of new complex for the treatment of liquid
wireless internet. On the territory of Bač is not waste that would meet the needs of all settlements
registered any computer school, while in Apatin are and local industry. By focusing on the percentage of
registered two computer schools. This fact could be households with direct access to sewage, it could be
important as an indicator of practical eradication of noticed that Apatin municipality (36%) is at the
computer illiteracy within the local population. Republican (34%), or AP Vojvodina level (37%)
and in much better position than the Bač
Water system and sewage
municipality (12%).
a) Water supply
In both municipalities there is a problem of
On the territory of Bač municipality organized overlapping of faecal and atmospheric water
supply with drinking water is through the local sewage systems. Many households joined their
water supply systems within all settlements that are faecal sewage drains to the system of atmospheric
under supervision of the local communal company. water sewage. This problem would be solved by
Similar situation is also in the municipality of establishment of the regional sewage system.
Apatin, where water supply is organized both by
city water system (it gradually takes over the main CONCLUSIONS
role in water supply within all settlements in the
municipality) and local water supply systems in At the end of 2010, the EU Commission
certain settlements. established the EU Strategy for the Danube Region,
In both municipalities quality of used ground water strategy that targets macro-region of 800,000 km2,
usually does not meet the standards for drinking with a population over 100 million (8 EU and 6
water quality, so raw water is directly processed at non-EU countries). Danube River also runs
the spring. Although the water supply networks are through Serbia (588 km) representing the natural
well developed, with capacities that could stand the border with Croatia and Romania. Like in complete
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Republic, zones of Danube basin in Serbia [6] Njegovan Z., Pejanović R., Marković Katarina, 2010,
considered mostly rural areas, where agriculture is Strategic planning on the local level as a factor of more efficient
rural development, Economics of agriculture, Vol. LVII, SE-2,
dominant economy activity within local population. book 1, IAE Belgrade, Srebia.
Having in mind that modern agricultural production [7] Novković N., 2007, Encouraging of agribusiness and
presumes multifunctionality, where agricultural employment promotion in the rural areas, Economics of
resources are not used only for food production, but agriculture, no. 1/2007, IAE Belgrade, Srebia.
also for other purposes and that residents of rural [8] Statistical yearbook of Serbia, 2009-2010, Statistical
Office of the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.
areas nowadays require satisfactory life quality that [9] Strategija društveno-ekonomskog razvoja opštine Bač 2009-
implies the existence and adequate functioning of all 2014, Skupština Opštine Bač, 2009, Bač, Srbija.
elements of physical infrastructure, according [10] Strategija održivog razvoja opštine Apatin 2009-2019,
presented current state of all infrastructure elements Skupština Opštine Apatin, 2009, Apatin, Srbija.
in the zone of Upper Danube Region (municipalities [11] Vračarić Milica, 2009, The Danube region of Serbia -
challenges & perspectives of development, Conference on the
of Apatin and Bač) it could be concluded that Serbia way to the European Danube strategy, 2009, Brussels, Belgium.
have potentials that could have impact on stronger
cooperation between territories connected by
Danube River (primarily with border countries).
Certainly, lack of financial assets for the
establishment of missing and revitalization of
obsolete infrastructural elements can be overcame
through the timely prepared infrastructural projects
by the local authorities from the observed zone, how
they can easier reach future EU pre-accession funds
for the rural development.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Paper is a part of research project III 46006 -

Sustainable agriculture and rural development in
the function of strategic goals achievement within
Danube region, financed by the Ministry of
Science and Technological Development of
Republic of Serbia, project period 2011-2014.

REFERENCES

[1] EU strategy for the Danube region, European Commission,

REGIO/E1/EN/NV/OB D(2010), 2010, Brussels, Belgium.
[2] Jeločnik M., Ivanović Lana, Subić J., 2011, How strong is
Serbian agriculture – comparative analysis of few agricultural
indicators of Serbia and Romania, Monography - Serbia and
the European Union: economic lessons from the new member
states, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
[3] Jeločnik M., Cvijanović D., Cicea C., 2007, Importance of
transportation and telecommunications infrastructure for rural
development of Serbia in the context of European integrations,
Scientific Papers (Series “Management, Economic Engineering
in Agriculture and Rural development”), Vol. 7/2007,
Bucharest, Romania.
[4] Mitrović Svetlana, 2010, Financing of roads infrastructure
in Serbia and possibilities for its improvement, Industrija, no.
1/2010, Economics Institute, Belgrade, Serbia.
[5] Municipalities in Serbia, 2009-2010, Statistical Office of
the Republic of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.

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RURAL TOURISM- IMPLICATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
ROMANIAN VILLAGES

Claudia LEPĂDATU 1
1
Institute of Reasarch in Agrarian Economics and Rural Development, 61, Mărăşti, sector 1,
011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: + 40 21 318 16 86, Fax:+40 21 318 16 86, E-mail:
claudialepadatu2005@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: claudialepadatu2005@yahoo.com

Abstract

Tourism is an important economic activity in the European Union. It comprises a wide variety of product and
destinations and many different stake holders are involved. Tourism has great potential as regards contributing to
achievement on several major EU objectives, such as sustainable development, economic growth, employment and
economic and social cohesion. Strategic approach process is to create the conditions and provide the basis for
sustainable, high-quality tourism and competitive Romanian tourism. The strategy for achieving this is based on a
number of points, the main ones being: to follow a knowledge-driven approach, to know how to better exploit
existing information, to acquire and develop know-how, to innovate by developing new process and to benefit from
best practice.

Keywords : : economic, sustainable, developing, stakeholders, great

INTRODUCTION certain terrain have been deliberately

excluded from urban and rural development in
the time of US colonization by Europeans.
In the last 50 years, tourism has become one
These concepts are used today in over 30000
of the most important industries, continually
protected areas from around the world. A
evolving. Tourism has become, also, a big
hundred years later durability and durable
cultural and environmental problem in a lot of
growth concepts have appeared. Their origins
areas because of strong short term
come from the famous Bruntland report in
development that do not take into account
1987, by the world commission for
long term changes it might produce. Concepts
environment and development (WCED, 1987)
that together form a durable tourism strategy ,
The Bruntland report has highlighted four
have been planned and tested, exactly to avoid
crucial principles for the concept of
deterioration of the equilibrium of the areas
durability:
where tourism activities take place and are
-The idea of holistic planning, cross-sector
applicable to Romania. Now, with the help of
planning and strategy elaboration
durable tourism strategies, Romania can begin
-The importance of maintaining the main
obtaining benefits from tourism while
ecologic processes
avoiding the mistakes from other areas. It
-The need to maintain valuable human legacy
should be noted that tourism can't guarantee
and biodiversity
that all issues can be resolved in the protected
-Acknowledgement of the fact that areal
areas in Romania. Tourism is a risky business,
development should be made so that it does
not every year is a success and not all regions
not exhaust resources on a long term
can be successful
Additionally, the Bruntland report introduces
(from the point of view of tourism activities ).
the equitability theme debate between
generations and international equity, a bigger
MATERIAL AND METHODS
convergence between rich and poor nations
can keep the global system stable.
Modern concepts involving the protected
Tourism was one of the most successful
areas and national parks date since 1872 when
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industries in growth after the war. In 1950 solution for a lot of problems. Marketing
there were only 25 million international politics almost always look to increase the
tourist arrivals in the whole world. Today, number of visitors, very few take into account
over 650 million tourists travel around the the responsibility towards the natural
world each year. Almost ten times as many environment : this doesn't necessarily happens
tourists travel during holydays in their own due to marketing specialists because they
country, than in 1950. have no preparation on the matter of durable
Tourism can have a strong physical impact development and are only judged by the
over the used areas: forests and farms increased rate of visitors. This marketing
destroyed to make room for the construction system is already very well know and
of airports and roads, hotels and gold courses, produces a powerful reaction from factors that
often in very picturesque areas. Tourism can are responsible of environment protection.
have serious cultural impacts. Tourist Subtlety, approaching problems as a whole
presence can erase local customs, can change and a balanced way of thinking haven't been
land value and the workforce market, can the distinctive signs of tourism development
provoke local language regress, can change at the middle of the 20th century.
the political equilibrium in favor of To create durable tourism, an open approach
multinational companies, detached from local is needed, and partnership between interested
problems. Loss of proprieties at a local level factors. The success of partnerships depends
can lead to the loss of the winnings and local on the goodwill and flexibility of the
control over the activities. implicated factors. A long term approach is
Transport to and from tourist destinations can needed, a hard thing to create in a modern
have serious impacts - last but not least it can world which is continually changing. Tourism
have an effect on global warming and the needs special skills and is a domain with hard
atmosphere. Aerial and auto transport burn competing market economy; flair, accepting
huge quantities of fossil fuel and release large necessary risks, tourism market and
quantities of gas in the atmosphere. At the international tours network knowledge are
level of terrain, transportation by car and car essential.
parking can severely damage landscape and
undisturbed nature from the protected areas. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Even more subtle, tourism can destroy the
promised future by transforming a tourist Key factors for a durable tourism strategy in
destination into an area that is dependant to protected areas in rural areas include:
the money that comes for tourist activities and -Uniqueness and the special character of the
afterwards to be considered out of fashion or market niche constituted by rural tourism is
uninteresting. Tourism is a business in a ruralism itself, contact with nature, with the
domain with a lot of competition: destinations traditional rural society, with animal raising,
are usually the ones "in fashion" and are with fishermen and lumberjack societies.
vulnerable to tourism market inconsistent Durable tourism shouldn’t be located only
changes. Thus, tourist products that are in outside cities, it should be part of a
fashion have a cyclical change regime that can functioning rural society and not a tourist
affect large tourist locations and also small location placed in a former farm.
rural communities. -Typical rural activities are on a small scale,
Conventional tourism development looks at local and individual. Durable rural tourism
culture and the natural environment as should, thusly, match the size of the rural area
resources destined to exploitation and exposed where it takes place. Normally, but not
to exhaustion. Conventional tourism is a short always, durable tourism will take place on a
term industry, as one tourism season is small scale, but this depends on local
considered a long time in the domain. circumstances. In rural tourism human contact
Conventional tourism survives by continual is important, and this is possible due to small
evolution, marketing being considered a scale activities.
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-The goal of rural tourism should be local opportunities tied to tourist activities as an
economy diversification and not the instrument for preservation. Incomes from the
replacement of animal raising activities with sale of traditional food and non food products
other tourism activities. Substitution can have can become an instrument of preservation as
3 dangers : brings dependency to one activity, well.
starts the development of a tourist only area, -The concept, that according to, tourism
and in this way the uniqueness based on control and tourism benefits must be centered
ruralism and nature is lost and the decline of in local communities, represents the essence
agriculture begins leading in the end to the of durable tourism. Thus it can help the
destruction of habitats and landmarks. The preservation of local values, it can bring
loss of traditional landscape and habitats income to declining areas, it can reactivate the
means, implicitly, the loss of uniqueness and political and social life in the areas that have
the market niche for the tourism market and lost hope. Local control assumes the forming,
creates unfixable losses of cultural and natural in the local community, of diverse skills and
values. knowledge, successful development assumes
-Tourism can be developed in two ways. It constant perfecting, education and continual
can be developed only by tourism itself and is information of the community and its
possible that this process brings jobs and members. Since from the beginning, local
welfare in the area or it can be looked at in a communities and interested factors should be
larger context and used as an instrument to involved in the process of elaborating a
resolve or alleviate certain specific problems. strategy even if this process can be long and
For example, accommodations can be difficult.
developed under hotel forms, belonging to -Although tourism can look to many rural
national and international hotel chains. These communities and their leaders, like a universal
networks that have marketing and panacea to their problems, there are big
management facilities can have success and threats connected to the development as
can create jobs in rural areas. Tourism tourism as an only resource of economic
concepts suggest an alternative development. activities. Rural communities can have serious
If the locals were the owners of the tourist problems if they rely totally on the tourism
facilities, development due to renovation of market. For tourism to remain rural, an
traditional houses or due to new buildings authentic rural economy with prosperous
being constructed, a number of advantages farmers must be encouraged, with a functional
would be created. First the locals would be rural life and a authentic and original cultural
motivated to remain in the area and maintain scene.
their traditional activities. Locals would
enlarge their horizons for gaining new skills CONCLUSIONS
and knowledge, would need training courses
that are good for the diversification of Rural tourism is a concept that is meant, not
activities. The concept of tourism as an to stop tourism, but to direct it in the interest
instrument can be used for the preservation of of all involved parties: host habitats and
nature in protected areas, for revitalizing communities, tourists and the tourist industry
services on rural railroads, for raising income itself. This way, there is a tendency towards
in the marketplace, for maintaining reaching an equilibrium between development
functionality of other services provided by the and conservation, to finding the best form of
local community. tourism for a certain area, taking into
-The need for the conservation of the host consideration ecology and it culture. For
community and the natural habitats is of accomplishing this equilibrium there is a
major importance in the concept of rural possibility that limitation or even stopping
tourism. While some types for tourism can extensive development might be necessary,
destroy communities and habitats, durable
tourism has a goal of using the income and
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there is a need for a large range of tourism
management measures.

REFERENCES
[1] Ioncică Maria(coord),2004,Strategia de dezvoltare a
sectorului tertiar, Editura Uranus,
Bucuresti
[2] Istrate, I., Bran Florina, Agroturism în România,
Tribuna economică, nr. 32/1995, pag 26
[3] Stănciulescu Gabriela,2004, Managementul
turismului durabil în centrele urbane, Editura All
Beck, Bucureşti.
[4] ***Strategia de turism durabil a României, proiect
[5]*** România Turism ’96, Pagini Naţionale,
Bucureşti 1996

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YOUNG PEOPLES’ EXPOSURE TO FARMING IN WESTERN EUROPE:
A MEANS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA?

Ove MADSEN1, Gina FINTINERU2

1
Grindsted Agricultural College, 40 Tronsø Parkvej, 7200 Grindsted, Denmark, Phone +45 2167
2027, email: ovemadsen@hotmail.com
2
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Management, 59
Marasti Bd, sector 1, code zip 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40-21-3180465, email:
gina.fintineru@usamv.ro

Abstract

Many young Romanians travel to Western Europe in order to get new experiences and in order to earn money.
Potentially, returning migrants might spark new development in rural areas in Romania. The paper examines,
whether there are indications that this is already now taking place, or is likely to happen in the future for young
Romanians, who have gone to Denmark in order to pursue an agricultural education and work on farms in
Denmark. Upon arrival in Denmark, expectations and hopes of young Romanians is that someday they will be able
to return to Romania – preferably to their village/town/region of origin. Evidence is that many migrants, after
spending a limited period of time in Denmark, return to Romania, utilise the experience from Denmark in
developing occupational career in Romania, but very few decide to start new activities in rural areas.

Keywords: returning migrants, rural development, agricultural education, Denmark

INTRODUCTION - In the short run, migration creates

benefits for sending societies in terms
Increasingly, young Romanians migrate from of better employment opportunities for
rural areas to towns and/or to countries in low skilled workers;
Western Europe, looking for a better life. For - In the medium to long term benefits
those, who migrate to other countries, UK and for sending societies are expected via
to some extent also Ireland seems to be the enhanced productivity, caused by
preferred recipient countries, but a sizeable technological change, productive
number of young Romanians migrate to other restructuring, internal labour mobility
Western European countries, including or skill accumulation;
Denmark. - People, who return to their native
Potentially, such migration can be devastating countries, often put to profitable use
for sending communities: namely to the extent the entrepreneurial, organizational and
that virtually all young people, and especially managerial skills, which they have
the skilled part of the population leave the acquired abroad, or invest their
village in order to live in towns or in Western savings in profitable activities in the
European countries, so that only the old, the retail or service sector.
weak and possibly also the children are left Furthermore, migration tend to have positive
behind. effects for sending communities in terms of
On the other hand, there is evidence that what could be named “social remittances”:
migration can have a number of positive ideas, practises, identities and social capital
effects, which will tend to stimulate economic flow back to sending communities [3].
development in sending communities. The above outlined evidence paints “the big
Based upon findings related to different picture”, the evidence on the global scale. It
OECD countries, and comprising many remains unclear, whether such positive effects
categories of migrants, Katseli et al. (2006) are applicable also in the Romanian context.
provide an overview of some of these [1]: The purpose of the present paper is to
- Financial remittances; examine, whether there are indications that
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positive long term effects are applicable for
Romanian rural communities, which send
young people to work/study agriculture in
Western Europe, in casu: Denmark.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from Statistics Denmark [4] were

analysed in order to estimate the number of
young Romanians presently working/studying
in the agricultural sector in Denmark.
Expectations and attitudes of young Chart 1: Romanian citizens migrating to/from
Denmark
Romanians, who have recently arrived in
Denmark, were documented. 37 students
filled in questionnaires, which were Reasons for the rapid increase in immigration
constructed so as to support or to reject the from Romania to Denmark are not fully
following hypothesis: understood, but contributing reasons might
Young Romanian citizens, who temporarily be:
work in the farming sector in Denmark, - The last couple of years before the
contribute, or will at a later stage, contribute financial crises (approx, Oct. 2008) it
positively towards the further development of was very easy for Romanian citizens
the community, which they came from. to get a work permit, simply because
there was such a desperate need for
Findings were examined in further detail via a workers at all levels in Denmark
focus group discussion with 7 respondents, 5 during these years.
male and 2 female. - From May 2009, citizens from all EU
Feed back from young Romanians, who came countries are free to apply for jobs in
to Denmark 5 – 7 years ago, was analysed in Denmark, also in cases where
order to assess whether migrants still live in qualified Danish nationals are
Denmark or if they have now returned to available. No work permit is required.
Romania. And for those, who returned to Typically, the immigrants are between 20 and
Romania: what are they doing now? 30 years of age. 98% come directly from
Finally results are discussed seen in the light Romania, 2 % from a different country. 60%
of the current situation of sending are male, 40% female. Unfortunately there is
communities. no statistical evidence concerning the
educational background of immigrants.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The number of Romanian citizens, who leave
Denmark is quite small at present. This is
Romanians citizens working/studying in natural taking into account that migration
the farming sector in Denmark from Romania to Denmark on a larger scale is
Data from Statistics Denmark show that a a relatively new phenomena. It remains to be
total of 7961 Romanian citizens were resident seen to what extent there will in the future be
in Denmark on 1 Jan 2011. Up to 2006, not a larger “backflow” of Romanian citizens,
very many Romanian citizens lived in bringing their new competences back to
Denmark, but starting approximately 2007, Romania.
increasingly, Romanian citizens have decided In 2010, 78 % of the Romanian citizens, who
to migrate to Denmark (chart 1). left Denmark went back to Romania. 22%
went to a different country.
Until May 2009, Romanian citizens needed a
work permit in order to study/work in

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Denmark. Chart 2 shows the number of work some respondents ticked more than one
permits issued (2003 – 2008) [5] . reason. The most important “pulling factors”
are: possibility for earning money and
opportunity to learn more.

Chart 2: Work permits issued to Romanian citizens

(work/study agriculture)
Chart 3: Motivation for going to Denmark
Number of work permits for Romanians
working in/studying agriculture increased During the focus group discussion, we
considerably from 2003 to 2008 – albeit with discussed the question: “Why Denmark”? In
a small decrease in 2008. For 2009 and 2010 nearly all cases the reason given was:
no such information is available, because “because I have friends, who are, or have
Romanian citizens are now free to work in been, studying/working in Denmark”.
Denmark without a work permit. If the Chart 4 shows expectations regarding the
general picture (chart 1) is also valid for length of stay in Denmark. All expect to stay
migrants, who work in agriculture, it must, in Denmark for at least 2 years and the
however, be assumed that at present there are majority expect to stay in Denmark for at least
several hundred Romanian citizens working 5 years.
and studying agriculture in Denmark.

Expectations and attitudes upon arrival to

Denmark.
The 37 respondents arrived in Denmark late
January 2011 in order to attend basic
agricultural training at Grindsted Agricultural
College. When the survey was performed they
had stayed in Denmark for approx. 2 months,
i.e.: they had settled in the new environment,
but they did not yet have a full perception of
opportunities/drawbacks related to staying
abroad.. Chart 4: For how long do migrants expect to stay in
The overall profile of respondents are more or Denmark?
less the same as what is the case for all Ro
immigrants to Denmark: average age was 24 During the focus group discussion,
years (between 19 and 30), 29 male, 8 female. respondents pointed out that they did not yet
Previous education: 8 were primary school have a full understanding of consequences of
leavers, 29 had further education of some kind migration, hence it was difficult to tell with
(College, University or similar). any certainity, for how long they expected to
Table 3 shows respondents’ motivation for stay in Denmark. They also pointed out that
migrating to Denmark. The number of replies length of stay in Denmark would depend very
exceeds the number of respondents, because much upon economic, legislative and social

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development in Romania during years to extent because of neglect (on the side of
come. authorities) and because of burdensome
Chart 5 shows that the majority of migrants bureaucratic procedures related to start of
want to settle in their village/town of origin business. Which is why, for the time being,
if/when they leave Denmark. they imagine that they will work in Denmark
(or in some other Western country) for a
considerable period of time, either in farming
or in other sectors. Working as employees in
Romania is not seen as a rewarding option
(respondents perceive salaries in Romania as
very low and working conditions not
attractive).

The returning migrants – and those who

did not return
Typically, the young Romanians who come to
Denmark in order to pursue work/training in
agriculture will attend a course of duration 20
Chart 5: Where do migrants want to settle eventually, weeks, when they arrive in Denmark. Shortly
if/when they leave Denmark?
before completing the introductory course
they will, typically, make an educational
Chart 6 shows respondents’ career plans. Also contract with a farmer. This contract will
here: some respondents ticked more than 1 cover both the period of practical farm work
possibility. Seemingly: a major part of (typically 1 – 1½ years) and the subsequent
respondents could well see themselves theoretical course at an agricultural college
working in Denmark for a considerable period (duration 16 weeks). Having completed the 2
of time. They do not find job opportunities in theoretical courses and the practical training,
contemporary Romania attractive. Then rather the students are then “agricultural assistants”,
setting up private business, in farming or in meaning that they are able to independently,
other sectors – in Denmark or in Romania. but under guidance, perform normal duties in
a commercial (dairy or pig) farm.
The content of the educational contract
(salary, working hours etc.) is identical for
Danish students and for foreign students and
students receive salary, both while studying at
College and while working on farms.
Having completed the basic agricultural
education, several options are available:
- Students will go back to a farm and
work as agricultural worker in
Denmark for an extended period of
Chart 6: Respondents’ career plans time.
- They continue the education in
During the focus group discussion Denmark up to the level of “skilled
respondents confirmed that eventually they farmer”. In this case the student will
would like to settle in their home get one more educational contract
village/town. They dream about starting some comprising approx. 15 months of
kind of business there: farming or in other apprenticeship (practical work on
sectors. However, they find that the overall commercial farms + further theory - 5
business framework in contemporary months).
Romania is not encouraging, to a very large
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- They can change occupation and get
work in other sectors in Denmark. Implications for sending communities
- They can return to Romania. Participants in the focus group discussion
- They can proceed to a different were very much aware that, in the short term,
country (not Romania). outward migration can be seen as a brain
We contacted a number of young Romanians, drain, which act as a hindrance to the
who came to Denmark around 2005 development of rural communities. However,
(completed the basic agricultural education this is true not only for migration out of
around 2007) in order to find out “what Romania, but also for migration from rural
happened after”. areas to urban areas in Romania.
We got feed back from 13 respondents. Not And: the majority of respondents in the
enough for giving a full overview of present study were born in towns or they had
outcomes, yet enough for illustrating migrated to towns before travelling to
tendencies. Out of these 13 respondents: Denmark.
- 2 are still in Denmark – working on The group, which migrated recently, do not at
farms present have a clear picture, whether they will
- None have continued the education in eventually return to Romania or not. But if
Denmark up to the level of skilled they do return to Romania, they do not expect
farmer to settle in remote rural areas. They expect to
- 2 work in other sectors in Denmark settle in towns, or in villages located close to
- 9 have returned to Romania. All of towns, where they have family, friends and
them returned to their native network.
towns/regions. All have jobs, typically And this is exactly what happened for the
agriculture related jobs in Agro- group, which migrated to Denmark approx. 6
industries in towns. years ago. The majority of respondents in this
- None has proceeded to a different group have now returned to Romania, where
country. they have settled in towns.
Of course the number of respondents is very During the focus group discussion it also
low, but it is striking that so many have came out clearly that issues like well
already now returned to Romania, presumably developed infrastructure are considered
bringing with them new experiences, which important, when deciding where to settle –
they can utilise in their future career. and possibly set up a business.
We tried to examine this aspect in further These patterns are in accordance with findings
detail by asking the question: Exactly how of Sandu [2]: it is not very likely that migrants
have you benefited from your training in will return to remote villages with insufficient
Denmark? Not many respondents answered infrastructure, but it is quite likely that they
this question in any detail, but a few return to villages, which have the following
testimonials were given, mainly referring to characteristics
professional experience, life experience, - located in a relatively poor region;
decision making skills, etc. - close to a market town;
- near to a national highway;
“I learned a lot of interesting things in this period - have a youngish population;
spent in Denmark, not only in agriculture, but also - a tradition of commuting in the
important things for a better life, finding a better job
etc. Now I can say that I am more honest, think more
village.
positive and optimistic. Now when I take an important Returning migrants can stimulate economic
decision I reflect more at the problems and I think to development in such villages, but only 4% of
take the best way to find the solution.” the villages in the analysed study [2] possess
“I think that all what I have learned in DK help my CV the above characteristics. It is therefore
here in Romania. Where I am working now it was very
important that I have foreign experience.”
obvious that returning migrants cannot be
“Good for Denmark because it provides cheap work considered as a “miracle cure” for ailments
force, and good for Romania: money for investment “ resulting from outward migration.
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Returning migrants will certainly contribute to
the further development of Romanian society,
aided by knowledge and competences
acquired abroad, but from a rural development
point of view: mainly via development of the
agricultural sector at large or via trickle down
effect. Only to a limited extent via direct
involvement or investment in business in rural
areas.

CONCLUSIONS
Young Romanians, who have recently
migrated to Denmark in order to study/work
in the agricultural sector, hope to earn some
money and to attain new competences. They
expect to stay in Denmark for a number of
years, but the majority carry a dream of
eventually settling in Romania, bringing with
them new competencies and hopefully also
some savings, which can be used for resuming
life in Romania.
Many young Romanians, who migrated to
Denmark some 6 years ago have done just
that: returned to Romania, where they have in
a satisfactory manner continued their
professional career.
All of the returning migrants in the study have
settled in towns. Thus there is little direct
effect in terms of rural development derived
from returning migrants. But there might well
be spin-off effects or trickle down effects
derived from returning migrants.

REFERENCES

[1] Louka T. Katseli, Robert E.B. Lucas and Theodora

Xenogiani (2006): Effects of migration on sending
countries: what do we know ? OECD Development
Centre, Working Paper no 250. International
symposium on migration and development, Turin,
Italy.
[2] Sandu Dumitru (2002): Emerging transnational
migration from Romanian villages.
www.migrationonline.cz . Translated from Migraţia
transnaţională a romanilor din perspectiva unui
recensamant comunitar in „Sociologie Romanească”,
No. 3-4/2000
[3] UNDP (2009): Human Development Report.
Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and
development
[4] Statistics Denmark: www.dst.dk
[5] New in Denmark: www.nyidanmark.dk

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NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETING, POTENTIAL FACTOR
OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Adriana MAN, Sabina FUNAR

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca

3-5 Calea Mănăştur street, Cluj Napoca, 400372, Cluj, România, 0264-596384,
adrianacofari@yahoo.fr

Corresponding author: adrianacofari@yahoo.fr

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine future rural development directions using the marketing of non-wood forest
products (NWFP). First, it was analyzed the commerce with NWFP in Romania, and then were analyzed success
strategies and businesses around the world. Although at global and regional level the tendency is to increase the
importance of NWFP, in Romania the research results show a decrease of harvested quantities and exports, as well the
processing plants are almost absent. Therefore public authorities should involve and recover this field through concrete
measures.

Keywords: non-wood forest products marketing, rural development, tendencies

INTRODUCTION products is not sufficiently developed. Also

given that the companies involved are often
In the last years, researchers state that it is very small size and have limited facilities,
possible to develop rural areas through non- require investments to achieve EU standards,
wood forest products (NWFP) [1], [4], [12]. product quality, and environmental protection
According to FAO, NWFP are products of and labour insurance [16].
biological origin other than wood derived from
forests, other wooded land and trees outside
forests. NWFP include products used as food
and food additives (edible nuts, mushrooms,
fruits, herbs, spices and condiments, aromatic
plants, game), fibres (used in construction,
furniture, clothing), resins, gums, and plant and
animal products used for medicinal, cosmetic or
cultural purposes [5].
NWFP differ through a number of
characteristics that include production,
perishability, value and seasonality [5].
Romania’s forests occupy about 27% of the
Figure 1
country (Figure 1). The major forest resource Vegetation map
exploited is wood. Source: [17]
In Romania, non-wood forest products are
represented in terms of commercial matters It is expected that an increase in value added of
mainly by forest fruits and mushrooms, game, forest products made in micro-enterprises will
and medicinal plants. The NWFP with food increase the contribution of the forestry sector
value are sold abroad usually fresh. in the local and regional economy.
Many rural communities, in areas rich in Also, in order to optimize the forestry industry,
forests, rely significantly on processing of specialists recommend that forestry products
wood and non-wood forest products. processing should be performed whenever
Harvesting and processing sector of forest possible in local areas where they are produced,
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to avoid additional transport costs and • game,
increasing CO2 emissions [16]. • tourism and
Improved marketing is also a premise of • nature conservation.
increasing competitiveness. Also was determined that forest fruit and game
In this idea improved marketing could be a have an increasing trend in consumption, the
premise of increasing competitiveness of this other products remaining at a constant level
sector and a factor of rural development. [13], [14].
Therefore the aim of the present research is to The most important and most marketed forest
determine future directions of rural fruits, according Romsilva, are: blueberries
development based on the marketing of non- (Vaccinium myrtillus), sea buckthorn
wood forest products. (Hippophae rhamnoides), rosehips (Rosa
canina), cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idea),
MATERIAL AND METHODS blackberries (Rhubus myrthus), hawthorn
(Crataegus monogyna), and raspberries
First, statistical data were searched to determine (Rhubus idaea) [18].
and analyze the actual situation of NWFP And the most important and most marketed
commercialization in Romania, with respect to wild mushrooms are: chanterelles
products sold in raw or processed. (Cantharellus cibarius), honey fungus
This stage of the research was a difficult one. (Armillaria mellea), penny buns (Boletus
Because neither the National Forest edulis), and morels (Morchella spongiola) [18].
Administration, or the private owners of forest Every year the harvest time for the forest fruit
or of processing plants do not publish data. and wild mushrooms is a period when
Data presented and analysed in the present unemployed or low income people who live
study are published by National Institute of near to forests succeed to realize revenues.
Statistics (INS). NWFP with food value after gathering, are
Then were searched information about success stored at so called collecting centres. Almost
business plans and strategies applied in rural each Romanian local forestry administration
communities, whose development depends on manages one collecting centre in order to keep
forests. This part of the study was made with in optimum conditions the collected products.
the purpose to find ideas and elements which Also the private investors have their own
could be used also in Romanian rural areas. centres, but there is no official data with their
number.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS NWFP with food value usually are sold abroad
by Romsilva and private forest owners mainly
In Romania, according to National Forest fresh, also frozen, refrigerated, dried or brine.
Administration Romsilva, the commerce with However for a better commercialization of
NWFP represents 20-30% from the annually forest fruits and to increase the value of the
turnover [2]. products, Romsilva founded in 2004 in
In 21 European countries, among them Romania the first plant of natural juices and
Romania, was developed during September nectars form forest fruits. Unfortunately Silva
2002- September 2006, an international project Fruct products are not present in the modern
COST E30 “Economic integration of urban retailing system and rarely in the traditional
consumers demand and rural forestry retailing.
production” [11]. One of the objectives of the In the last years the sales of forest fruits
project was to develop a general analysis of decreased, yet in 2009 comparing with 2008
non-wood forest products. sales increased with 5.2%. Data for wild
Consequently in Romania were identified as mushrooms are not available at national level,
important products, with commercial potential: as can be seen in Table 1. The sales of bee
• forest fruits, honey oscillate, in the same time many local
• wild mushrooms, forestry administrations have dropped in recent
• medicinal plants, years to deal with beekeeping.
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commercialized products with food value are
Table 1.Non wood forest products sold at national level maple syrup, mushrooms and forest fruits [3].
U.M 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Forest Tone 6348 6534 6 447 4 587 4 825
In the countries where is given a higher
fruit importance to NWFP, for a better development
Wild
mushr Tone : : : 313 :
of this products action is considered necessary
ooms in three directions [3].
Honey Mii lei 101,3 292,8 143,1 168,8 : First, it is necessary to promote sustainable
Source: processed data after [6], [7], [9], [19]
„:”- data not available
gathering by understanding the biological and
ecological specificities of the forest products.
With respect to forest fruits in 2009 the demand Also sustainable culture techniques are
and the prices were lower than in 2008. Also in recommended.
some regions of the country bad weather Second, gatherers and owners should know
conditions did not allow gathering campaigns plants biology in order to optimize the
progress normally. Anyway the gathered and gathering.
sold quantities were higher than in 2008 [15]. Third, some NWFP could be transformed in
These facts confirm that gathering of non-wood culture plants to meet the demand and to avoid
forest products is influenced every year mainly damaging the sustainability of harvesting.
by weather, market demand and workforce.
In 2008 statistical data show that from CONCLUSIONS
Microregion One (North-West and Centre
regions) were gathered 43% of forest fruit sold 1. International studies revealed that Romania
at national level by Romsilva and 68% of wild has potential to market NWFPs, mainly
mushrooms [10]. products with food value (fruits, wild
With respect to medicinal plants species and mushrooms), medicinal plants and sports and
quantities gathered differ annually, however leisure services (game, tourism, natural parks).
national data are not available, maybe due to 2. However statistical data referring to
the small quantities. marketing of these products are scarce or even
When about game, also current data are missing.
missing. For 2008, were allowed for hunt 13 3. For products with food value and medicinal
species of mammals and three species of birds plants the trend is to decrease the marketed
[8]. quantities.
To promote the forest tourism Romsilva 4. The products with food value are generally
intended to give in tourism circuit the hunting sold abroad under raw form.
lodges. How was applied the idea and which 5. The North American example shows that it is
are the results also is unknown. possible to export with success high quantities
In terms of nature conservation, Romsilva of products based on NWFP and in the same
manage 22 national and natural parks. These time to help developing rural areas.
parks are opened for tourists. 6. Also at international level are established
In North America the range of gathered NWFP solutions to exploit in a sustainable way the
include mainly branches of conifers, wild rice, NWFP.
forest fruits and medicinal plants. In British Based on these conclusions few
Columbia are recognized over 200 types of recommendations could be drawn:
NWFPs, while in Ontario 50 of them are 1. Romanian forest owners should realise an
commercialized. inventory of the NWFP which could be
In Canada, were applied successful projects for marketed in the future on the Romanian and
improving life and reducing poverty in the rural international markets.
area through of non-wood forest products [3]. 2. Also it should be promoted sustainable
Annually the value of products based on NWFP harvesting.
realized in the Canadian rural areas is over 240
million dollars. The most important

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3. The rural areas could develop by establishing
plants to transform NWFP in products with
high commercial value.

REFERENCES

[1] Chamberlain, L., Bush, R., Hammett, A.L., 1998,

Non-Timber Forest Products - The other forest products,
Forest Products Journal, 48(10): 10-19
[2] Cofari (Man) Adriana, 2010, Managementul şi
marketingul produselor forestiere nelemnoase, teză de
doctorat
[3] Duchesne, L.C. (2003). Developing nontimber forest
products in Canada. Frontline Express, no.28. accesat la
http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/news/296, 18.10.2008
[4] Emery, Marla, 2001, Who knows? Local Non-Timber
Forest Product knowledge and stewardship practices in
Northern Michigan, Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 13
(3/4), 123-139
[5] FAO, 2011, What are non-wood forest products?
http://www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/6388/en/ accessed at
15.03.11
[6] INS., 2007, Comunicat de presă nr. 97 din 15 mai
[7] INS., 2009, Comunicat de presă nr. 102 din 29 mai
[8] INS, 2009, Comunicat de presă nr. 146 din 31 iulie
[9] INS., 2010, Comunicat de presă nr. 108 din 31 mai
[10] Man, Adriana & Funar, Sabina, 2010, Produsele
forestiere nelemnoase, o sursă de atenuare a involuţiei
socio-economice a zonei rurale. Competitivitatea
economiei agroalimentare şi rurale în condiţiile crizei
mondiale II, ASE, Bucureşti
[11] Niskanen, A., ed., 2006, Issues affecting enterprise
development in the forest sector in Europe, University of
Joensuu, Finlanda, accesat la
joypub.joensuu.fi/publications 10.07.10
[12] Robbins, P., Emery, M., Rice, J., 2008, Gathering in
Thoreau’s backyard: nontimber forest product harvesting
as practice, Area, 40(2), 265-277
[13] Seeland, K. & Staniszewsky, P., 2006, Indicators for
a European cross-country assessement of non-timber
forest products & services. In: Issues affecting enterprise
development in the forest sector in Europe, University of
Joensuu, Finlanda, 299-320. accesat la
joypub.joensuu.fi/publications 10.07.10
[14] Seeland, K. & Staniszewsky, P., 2007, Indicators for
a European cross-country state-of-the-art assessement of
non-timber forest products and services. Small-scale
forestry, 6, 411-422.
[15] www.ecomagazin.ro, 2009b, Romsilva a recoltat
circa 4900 tone de fructe de pădure, cu 274 mai puţin
decât estima iniţial, accessed 02.08.10
[16] http://www.fonduri-structurale-europene.ro/pndr/
produse-agricole-forestiere.html, accessed 19.10.11
[17] www.proapicultura.ro, accessed 19.10.11
[18] www.rosilva.ro, accessed 19.10.11
[19] www.statistici.insse.ro, accessed, 02.08.10

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CLUJ-NAPOCA INHABITANTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD FOREST FRUITS
CONSUMPTION

Adriana MAN, Sabina FUNAR

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca

Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj Napoca, Cluj, România, 0264-596384, adrianacofari@yahoo.fr

Corresponding author: adrianacofari@yahoo.fr

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to determine the attitudes toward forest fruit consumption based on a survey conducted in
October 2009 in Cluj Napoca. The questionnaire was applied on 243 respondents using the convenience sampling.
Attitude was determined and calculated using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The findings permit to reveal the
consumption motives for forest fruits and the importance in nutrition. Among the motives, the strongest is the
healthiness. In the same time due to positive attitude toward forest fruit consumption, a forest fruit products business,
well marketed, could have high chances of success and will help to the development of rural mountain area.

Keywords: forest fruits, attitudes, urban inhabitants, Theory of Planned Behaviour

INTRODUCTION For choosing the sampling method the

following were considered:
In the last twenty years researchers discuss the - the lack of possibility to access the data
idea to develop rural areas where possible base of Cluj Napoca inhabitants in order to
through non-wood forest products [4, 7, 8, and realize a statistical sampling,
12]. In Romania, non-wood forest products are - limited financial resources,
represented mainly by forest fruits and - the length of the questionnaire.
mushrooms. Thus the sampling method for the research was
General fruit consumption is regarded a non-probabilistic one, namely the
worldwide as good for health. However WHO conventional sampling. The convenience
statistics show a small intake of fruits and sampling means to choose any person who
vegetables and recommend a daily consumption corresponds to target characteristics [11] at the
of 400g of fruits and vegetables [13]. discretion of the interviewer [10].
Therefore in Romanian rural areas could be Also it was taken into account the quota
settled plants to process forest fruits in different method considering the statistics provided by
products. National Institute of Statistics. The following
However, to help entrepreneurs, a primary characteristics were taken into account: gender
research is necessary to determine the attitudes and age groups of urban population.
of consumers toward forest fruit consumption, In these terms of convenience sampling, the
considering that attitudes are difficult to change sample was not determined by formula and it
and a company should usually fit its products was considered a threshold of 250 respondents,
into existing attitudes [9]. Therefore the aim of finally realizing 243.
the present research is to determine the attitudes
of consumers from Cluj Napoca city toward Theory of Planned Behaviour
forest fruit consumption. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was
developed on the idea that “human social
MATERIAL AND METHODS behaviour can best be described as following
Sample along lines of more or less well-formulated
The study was applied on 243 forest fruit plans.” [1]. According to this theory [2] there
consumers from Cluj Napoca city in October are three conceptually independent
2009 and it is part of a PhD thesis [5]. determinants of intention to perform the
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behaviour: the attitude toward the behaviour, complete and could be used further for the
the subjective norm and the perceived analysis. The mean age of the respondents was
behavioural control. In the present study are 37 years, SD= 14.57 and 150 of them are
analyzed only the attitudes. women.
The attitude toward the behaviour (A) refers to Demographic data of the sample are presented
the degree to which a person has a favourable in the chart below:
(good, safe, healthy) or unfavourable (bad,
unsafe, unhealthy) evaluation or appraisal of
the behaviour in question [2]. Attitudes (A) are 23%

calculated by multiplying the behavioural belief 37%

(bbi), which is the probability that performing
18-29
certain behaviour will lead to the outcome in 30-39

question and each expected outcome (ei) of 40-49

≥50
behaviour:
A = ∑bb i *ei i [2] 22%

The questions to determine attitude are

presented below. The questions were measured 18%

on a 5 point Likert scale. Fig. 1 Respondents age on age groups

Behavioural beliefs It is observed that 37% of respondents are in

To what degree do you agree with the the age group 18-29 years, 23% of them belong
following statements? to the group of people over 50 years, 22% for
Totally not agree- not agree- neutral- agree- those between 40-49 years and 18% of those
totally agree between 30-39 years. The overrepresentation of
• bb1 - Eating fresh forest fruits is not safe young people aged between 18-29 years is due
• bb2 - Eating fresh forest fruits is healthy because the questionnaires were applied also on
• bb3 - Fresh forest fruits have a good taste students from the University of Agricultural
• bb4 - Fresh forest fruits are ecological Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj
products Napoca. Also the small representation of people
• bb5 - I am very satisfied when I can eat over 50 years is due to the fact that some of
fresh forest fruits these respondents did not had the patience to
complete the questionnaire to the end.
Beliefs’ attribute As presented in the chapter of material and
To what degree do you find the following method to determine urban consumers’
aspects important when making fresh forest attitudes towards forest fruit consumption, first
berries choice? were determined the beliefs’ attributes,
Totally unimportant- unimportant- neutral- meaning the main issues taken into account
important- very important when choosing and eating berries. Items
included in the study were food safety,
• e1 - Food safety
healthiness, taste, eco-label and consumption
• e2 - Healthiness
satisfaction.
• e3 - Taste Consumption satisfaction is important and very
• e4 - The Eco-label important for more than 88% of consumers, and
• e5 - Consumption satisfaction for approximately 2% is not important. The
eco-label is considered by more than 55% of
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS respondents, another 30% do not know if it is
important for them and for the other 15% it is
The study was realized on 243 urban consumers not considered as important when buying
from Cluj Napoca, Romania, in October 2009 berries. Berries taste is important and very
using the convenience sampling. From 243 important for more than 94% of respondents,
questionnaires applied only 229 (94%) were 4.8% are not decided, and 0.4% of them believe
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that the taste is not an important thing. 0.4% consider that these fruits do not have a
Regarding the healthiness, this is an aspect good taste.
about are interested almost all respondents, With the statement “eating fresh forest fruits is
meaning over 97%. Food security is considered healthy” are agreeing also over 97% of
important for over 92% of consumers, for about Romanian urban consumers, over 1% are not
1% it is not important, and the other over 6% agree and 1% do not know. The same
answered “I do not know” favourable beliefs resulted in a study realised
on the Canadian consumers. Canadians believe
that forest fruits provide more health t
fructe de pădure/ Importanta aspects when
Aspecte importante în achiziţionarea de

satisfacţia
consumului/consumption_satisf cultivated fruits [3].
eticheta eco/ecolabel
„Eating fresh forest fruits is not safe” is a
buzing forest fruit

statement with which more than 75% of the

gustul/taste consumers were not agreed, 12% were agreed
and almost 12% choose the variant “I did not
menţinerea
sănătăţii/healthiness know”.
The analysis of behavioural beliefs shows that
siguranţa alimentară/food-
security the respondents have good and very good
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% opinions about forest fruit consumption in the
total neimportant/totally unimportant neimportant/unimportant neutru/neutral important/important foarte important/very important majority of cases. Also forest fruits are
Fig. 2 Important aspects when buying fresh forest berries considered good for health, tasty, organically
products and safe for consumption.
These results show that healthiness is an
important issue for almost all urban consumers,
Păreri despre comportament/Behavioural

sunt satisfăcut când pot să mănânc fructe de

pădure/ I'm satisfied when I can eat forest fruits
with a few undecided and is the most important
fructele de pădure sunt produse ecologice/ forest
aspect to be taken into account when buying fruits are eco products

berries. This attribute is followed in order of fructele de pădure au gust bun/ forest fruits have
beliefs

good taste

importance by taste, food safety, consumption este sănătos să mănânci fructe de pădure
proaspete/is healthy to eat fresh forest fruits
satisfaction and the eco-label. Even if organic
să mănânci fructe de pădure proaspete este
label seems the least sought when buying fresh nesigur/ eating fresh forest fruits is not safe

berries, it is nevertheless important for more 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

than half of respondents. Even if generally in dezacord total/totally not agree dezacord/not agree neutru/neutral acord/agree acord total/totally agree

Romania forest fruits are not packed and Fig. 3 Behavioural beliefs about forest fruit consumption
therefore there is no label for these fruits, the
fact that the forest fruits are bought usually After analysing the components of the attitude,
from farmers markets is due to the faith that the the generally attitude was calculated according
fruits are 100% natural and organic. to the TPB, using the formula presented above.
The questionnaire included also the behavioural Considering that each element was measured
beliefs presented in the material and method on a five point Likert scale (from 1 to 5) and
part. The answers of the consumers are that there are in the present study five pairs of
presented in the chart number 3. behavioural beliefs and expected outcome, it
With the statement “I am very satisfied when I means that the lowest value for the attitude
can eat fresh forest fruits” over 88% of toward forest fruit consumption is 5 and the
respondents were agree and totally agree, over highest 125.
10% chosen the „neutral” variant, and about In the chart number 4, where X axis represent
0.8% were not agree with the statement. the respondents and Y axis represent the level
With the fact that “forest fruits are ecological of the attitudes, it can be observed that urban
products” are agree over 81% of consumers, consumers’ attitudes are high, the smallest
over 12% are not decided, and almost 6% are value being 51 and the highest 125.
not agree. Also in a study realised in UK were revealed
The good taste of forest fruits is appreciated by high attitude levels toward forest fruits taste
over 97% of respondents, 2% do not know and and healthiness [6].
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Victoria, BC, Canada accesed at www.buybcwild.com,
18.08.10
[4] Chamberlain, L., Bush, R., Hammett, A.L., 1998,
Non-Timber Forest Products - The other forest products,
Forest Products Journal, 48(10): 10-19
[5] Cofari (Man) Adriana, 2010, Managementul şi
marketingul produselor forestiere nelemnoase, teză de
doctorat
[6] Cox, David N., Annie S., Anderson, Lean, Michael
EJ., Mela, David J., 1998, UK consumer attitudes, beliefs
and barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable
consumption, Public Health Nutrition, 1:61-68
[7] Emery, Marla, 2001, Who knows? Local Non-Timber
Forest Product knowledge and stewardship practices in
Northern Michigan, Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 13
(3/4), 123-139
Fig.4 General attitudes toward forest fruit consumption [8] FAO, 2008, Principal activities, accesed at
X- respondents, Y- attitudes level http://www.fao.org/forestry/nwfp/6406/fr/, 17.08.10
[9] Kotler, Ph., Armstrong, G., 1990, Marketing. An
introduction, Prentice Hall Inc., New Jersey, 158
CONCLUSIONS [10] Malhotra, N.K., 1999, Marketing Research. An
Applied Orientation. Third edition, Prentice-Hall
International, Inc., New Jersey, 335
1. Cluj Napoca forest fruit consumers have [11] Pop D. Marius, 2004, Cercetări de marketing, Alma
mostly high attitudes levels toward general Mater, Cluj Napoca,
aspects of forest fruit consumption. In the [12] Robbins, P., Emery, M., Rice, J., 2008, Gathering in
present study the specific attitudes referred to Thoreau’s backyard: nontimber forest product harvesting
as practice, Area, 40(2), 265-277
safety, healthiness, taste, to the fact of being [13] World Health Organization & Food and Agriculture
organic, and to consumption satisfaction. Also Organization, 2002, Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of
in other countries the surveys revealed same Chronic Diseases, Technical Report Series no. 916,
high attitudes. Geneva: WHO.
2. The results show that forest fruits are bought
and eaten mainly because there are good for
health and have good taste.
3. This means that a campaign to increase fruits
consumption for Romanian urban inhabitants
could take into account these positive attitudes,
or favourable evaluations toward forest fruit
consumption.
4. Also potentially forest fruits businesses
developers can take advantage of these attitudes
and highlight these proprieties for their
products realised with forest fruits.

REFERENCES

[1] Ajzen, I., 1985, From intentions to actions: A theory

of planned behavior. In J. Kuhl & J. Beckman Eds.,
Action-control: From cognition to behavior, Heidelberg,
Germany: Springer, 11-39
[2] Ajzen, I., 1991, The theory of planned behaviour,
Organizational Behaviour and Human Decision
Processes, 50, 179-211
[3] Centre for Non-Timber Resources. (2008). Shop the
wild 2008. Consumer survey. Royal Roads University,

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DURABLE DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSIFICATION OF
ECONOMICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ROMANIAN RURAL
COMMUNITIES
Nicoleta MATEOC-SÎRB1, Gheorghe Csaba TOTH2, T. MATEOC1, Gheorghe Sebastian
SÂRB3, Dorina ŢĂRĂU4
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat, Timisoara, Calea
Aradului 119, 300665, Phone: 0744604349, Email: mateocnicol@yahoo.com
2
Agricultural Society, Pecica, Arad, Romania
3
University of Oradea
4
Payment Agency for Rural Development and Fishing

Corresponding author: mateocnicol@yahoo.com

Abstract

The rural territory of Romania covers approximately 90% of the country’s territory and gathers 45.1% of the
population (9.7 million inhabitants).The medium denisty of the population from rural territories remained relatively
constant throughout the years (about 45.0 inhabitants / km²).Romania’s population has a more pronounced level of
rurality in comparison with other E.U. countries,where the rural establishments are less populated and at a reduced
scale.Therefore we consider necessary paying more attention towards village development and Romanian rural
economy diversification.Even though the Romanian rural space shelters a rich culture, with a strong traditional
character that differs from one region to the other ,it does not manage to fully explore the value of its resources,
perpetuating a paradoxal state of poverty due to lack of attractivenesss and promotion of rural areas.In the present
paper the authors sinthetize a diagnosis of the rural areas in our country and try to emphasise the main issues with
which the rural inhabitants are confronted with nowadays, trying to bring into discussion at least partial resolving
solutions for these issues.

Key words: durable development, diversity, rural, economy

INTRODUCTION o income distribution in a reasonable and

equitable way.
Durable development is a long term process Considering durable development, the
that cannot be reached during one generation, existance of a harmonious realtionship
which means that special efforts are needed in between the following elements is imposed:
order to accomplish this difficult process. - culture, which determines society’s
Durable development must regard the functions and an adequate behaviour for
following mandatory principles: durable development applying ;
- Regeneration of natural resources and - structure, which defines the approach of
preservation of their natural stock at an organising the durable development
acceptable level; implementation;
- reducing pollution at a „minimum safety - technology, which establishes the available
level” and necessary technological means through
- avoiding irrevirsibility of the effects caused which durable development can be realised.
by economical processes through: Considering architecture and cultural heritage,
o risk prevention oriented strategies; the Romanian villages display a unique
o technological development orientation character, differing from region to region, fact
towards environmental protection; which imprints them a specific identity, as to the
o instiutional change and economical way of living and turning to advantage local
decisions orientation towards environmental resources.
protection;
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The Romanian rural space generally includes
agricultural activities.In the main, non
agricultural activities are based on forestry,
processing of food products, small
commercial and craftmanship services,
mining and energy producing activities that
are insufficiently developed.
With the exception of the the mining and
energetic industry non agricultural activities
are mostly expanded by microbusinesses and
small and medium enterprises (SME).
Fig.1. Structure of rural population by the activity
The rural economy is weakly diversified
sector
and still dependent on agricultural
activities, which leads to low incomes for Table 1.Evolution of the Romanian land fund, by land
the undertakers in the rural environment. use categories
Agriculture, until recently the initial sector of Specification 2008 2009
economy, was the main provider of work thousan % thousan %
places in Romania’s economy. Agricultural 14702,3 100 14705,3 100
Arable 9415,1 64,03 9384,4 64
Pastures 3333,0 22,66 3380,7 23
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Meadow 1532,4 10,42 1526,7 10
Vineyards 214,5 1,45 214,4 1,5
In identifying the posibilities of development Orchards 207,3 1,40 199,1 1,5
and the ways of stopping the Romanian
Source: Data processed in according to the MARD,
village degradation we appealed to: studying Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;
the existent activities in rural establishments,
analysis of their development stage and rural Agriculture and forestry, by tradition, form
development politics analysis, through which important branches of the Romanian economy
financial support for rural development is through the dimension of the agricultural
aimed, in the 2007-2013 period, by E.U. and surface (14,7 million hectars), the timbered
the government of Romania. surface and other areas with forest vegetation
(6,7 million hectars), as well as the weight
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS factor represented by the population occupied
in agriculture and forestry (26%) from the
At the present day most rural inhabitants are total rural population.
involved in agriculture, forestry and Distribution of total area after the land use
aquaculture (64,2%), while only 18,7% are categories shows that the arable land occupies
working in the secondary sector and 17,1% in about. 64% of agricultural area, the 3rd part of
the third sector.
the surface 4,8 mil ha, is occupied by pastures
The quality of the Romanian agricultural
space forms the natural premises in the and meadows, orchards and vineyards and is
competitiveness of agricultural products.The approx. 3%.
main agricultural products that are obtained in
medium technological conditions are perfectly Nearly 80% of the useful agricultural surface
competitive with similar products from other (UAS) of Romania is split in two categories
countries and at most brands the quality is of farmers (80% of the total exploatations),
superior. formed from small dimensioned
exploatations, under 5 ha and a very small
group of exploatations with dimensions of

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over 50 ha (13.830, which exploit 40% of conditions, but also for environmental
UAS). protection, hygene and animal wellfare.

Fig. 2. Romania's agricultural surface structure by the Fig.3. Evolution of employment in agriculture
categories of land use between 1990-2010

Table 2. Structure of farmers by age group

The rest of 20% of UAS is exploited by an Age category Total farmers SAU
intermedient segment, which is represented by (%) (%)
exploatations with dimensons ranging from under 40 <10 10
5 to 50 ha.This segment is reduced in 40-65 47 59
comparison with other E.U. countries and is in over 65 43 31
need of development.Small farms are mainly
represented by individual exploatations.
Nowadays we can be aware that agriculture,
as a branch of national economy, registres a
pronounced decline.
The work force employed in agriculture, in
Romania increased from 27.5% in 1989 to 40,
8% in 2000, followed a decreasing trend up to
24% in 2010.
In the present, in Romanian agriculture,
working 24% of the employed population,
compared to 5%, in EU-25.
We also notice that young farmers (under 40
years) represent less than 10% of the total Fig. 3. Structure of farmers by age group
farmer population, exploiting a 10%
percentage of the useful agricultural surface Business development in Romania presents
(UAS).At the other end, farmers that are large differences between regions and
above the age of retirement (over 65 years) considering Small and Medium Enterprises
represent 43% of the total farmer number and (SME).Contracter development is weakly
exploit 31% of the UAS. represented in rural areas as an effect of
In order to consolidate commercial insufficient exploatation of material resources,
agricultural exploatations investments are incondite education, a low level of utilities as
required, as well as applying new well as a phenomenon of mass migration
technologies that will improve the quality of towards the urban or externaly towards other
the obtained products in order to reduce states of the world, especially when young
production costs and increase competitiviness inhabitans are considered. SME analysis in
so that they can be produced at communitary rural areas points out their reduced capacity to
standards, in market and competititve respond to requests related to providing work
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places for the population in the rural activities that generate alternative incomes,
environment. which offer development possibilities for the
Romanian rural space, because of unique
landscapes, vast semi-natural areas and inborn
hospitality of the rural environment
inhabitants.We mention that in this domain
the rural tourism and agrotourism activities in
Romania are poorly advertised by tourism
agencies for both Romanian and foreign
tourists.
The rural areas in Romania are affected by the
significant lack of infrastructure and its
deficiences, which affects economical
development and life quality.The most
important needs are related to: roads,
Fig. 4. SAU structure of farmers by age groups
drinkable water delivery, public sewage
network, garbage management, electric
From the total of SMEs more than 50% are
energy, thermic energy, internet access,
involved in commercial activities.The
education, access to medical services.
explanation for this strong orientation towards
Major dificulties in the rural environment are
commerce is determined by: a shorter period
linked to accessing medical and educational
for recovering investments, lack of capacities
services.The population’s accessibility to
and abilities, imposibility of developing
basic education and healthcare is restricted in
production activities due to lack of capital for
many areas by precarious transport services,
advanced techniques and
with a negative impact on the urban – rural
technologies.Therefore, the objective of
flux of teachers and doctors, but mostly in the
supporting SMEs in other domains appears as
development of production activities and
a neccesity, especially when considering they
attracting investors.
can have a positive impact on the level of
Adequate roads represent a essential
rural economy, mainly into the domain of
condition for economical development
processing agricultural products.
along with other domains of human and
Agricultural products processing and activities
social development.
are imposed by agricultural producers in
In general, for pointing out discrepancies,
SMEs, with the purpose of adding value to the
differences are quantified by using
agricultural production in conditions of
macroeconomical indicators such as total PIB
increased economical efficiency.
or PIB per inhabitant, calculated at a regional
At a regional level, rural tourism
level.For the present period we consider that
development greatly depends on the quality
the rural development programs should be
and existance of touristical boarding house
created so that they:
pensions and on the presence of various types
- begin at a regional level and encourage local
of activities, folklore, the existance of
initiatives on the base of internal development
ethnographical regions and practicing
based on available resources;
agriculture and winegrowing (agro-
- place man and its issues in the center of
tourism).Religious tourism is specific for
concepts and decisions;
Bucovina, architecural and ethnographical
- protect and preserve the positive values of
tourism for Maramures, leisure, cultural,
rural society, especially the ones in traditional
culinary, art and wine tourism for Tranylvania
family life, with the purpose of integrating
and fishing at the feet of the Carpathian
youth in community life;
Mountains.Rural tourism and agro-tourism
- build up and consolidate community life;
(specifically linked to farm activities) are

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- preserve and promote cultural and historical Investments in producing reusable energy
particularities of the rural region; • aquiring equipments for producing energy
- encourage economical activity from other renewable sources than
diversification; bioconsumables.
- encourage the rural population’s relations
with the rest of society; CONCLUSIONS
- determine the growth of quality life for the
rural population. • After 1990, the Romanian village, which
Inhabitans can currently diversify activities was already commited to communist
through craftmanship, services or other transformations and systematizations,
nonagricultural activities, financing from continued the process of degradation which
funds assigned through the National Plan continues nowadays in an accelerated rythm
of Rural Development 2007-2013. even if Romania has been a member of E.U.
Within measure 312 Support for creating since 2007.
microenterprises included by addendum 3 • The extinction of the Romanian village as a
“Enhancing life quality in rural areas and traditional form of establishment, with its
diversifying rural economy” it is offered to particularity, will lead to the identity loss of
the inhabitants the possibility to accomplish the Romanian people and our identity as a
the following types of investments: nation.
Investments in nonagricultural productive • The manifestation of the globalisation as
activities, such as: well as the effects of the economical crisis
• light industry (leather articles, footwear, will also lead to the decay of the rural world
wool, fur, knitted articles, household usage because manufacturer farmers tend to become
products, odorant products, etc.); supermarket consumer farmers.
• wooden products industrial processing • Rural economy presents significative
activities – starting from lumber state (e.g.: differences according to the country’s regions,
furniture); specific social, demographical and
• fine mechanics, assembling vehicles, tools economical traits.This differentiation is
and household articles, producing wrappers, visible mostly regarding the low income level
etc. in the rural Romanian space and is reflected
Investments for developing craftmanship, through a low living level of the population
handicraft activities and other nonagricultural and a lack of alternative income resources.
traditional activities with local speicficity • Statistical data reveils that agriculture, food
(processing iron, wool, pottery, embroidery, industry and forestry are of a primordial
making traditional musical isntruments, etc.), importance for the rural economy.The
as well as marketing them (small retail stores presence of non-agricultural activities, linked
with their own products, obtained through to the primar sector, and mostly the
these activities). exploatation and processing of natural
Services for the rural populations, such as: resources is irrelevant in economical terms.
• tailoring, barbering and shoemaking • Restructuring agriculture will have a distinct
services; impact upon rural economy in general,
• internet connection and broadcasting considering that agriculture continues to
services; remain the most important activity in the rural
• machanical, transport (other than obtaining space and an essential income source for
means of transport) services, fito-sanitary households.
protection, veterinary and sanitary services • The active population in the rural space,
and animal artificial insemination; 46.3% of the rural inhabitants, can contribute
• autovehicle reparation services, tools and to sustaining economical growth in rural areas
household objects. if the adequate stimulation methods will be
identified, imposing the creation of working
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places in the non-agricultural sectors, which
will absorb the work force released from
agriculture.
• Between 2007-2013 Romania is benefiting
from financial support assigned by the
European Union through its policy worth over
8 million euro for investments in agriculture
and rural development.
• The purpose of rural development programs
firstly concerns creating work places in the
rural environment, in units of processing
agricultural products, SMEs or other
nonagricultural activities.

REFERENCES

[1] Mateoc-Sîrb, Nicoleta, (2002), Dezvoltarea rurală şi

regională în România, Editura Agroprint, Timişoara;
[2] Mateoc-Sîrb, Nicoleta, Man, T.E., (2007),
Dezvoltarea rurală şi regională durabilă a satului
românesc, Editura Politehnica, Timişoara;
[3] Otiman, P.I., coordonator şi alţii, (2006)
Dezvoltarea rurală durabilă în România, Editura
Academiei Române, , Bucureşti;
[4] *** - Programul Naţional de Dezvoltare Rurală
2007-2013
[5] *** - INS – Anuarul Statistic al României, 2009.

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ESTIMATES ON THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND LEVEL OF
INTENSIFICATION OF CEREALS AND LEGUMINOUS GRAINS
(EXCLUDING CORN) IN THE REGIONAL ASPECT
Diana MEMEŢ

The State Agricultural University of Moldova, 44, Mircesti st., MD- 2049, Chisinau, Republic of
Moldova, Phone: +373 22 43 25 85, Fax: + 373 22 31 22 76

Corresponding author : diana.cotruta@mail.ru

Abstract

The purpose of this work is the research of intensity level and economic efficiency of cereals and leguminous grains
intensification (without corn) through the value indicators (from the lack of data in specialized forms of
consumption to production in natural expression) in the agricultural enterprises in regional aspect from Republic of
Moldova. For this were used the following methods: observation, aggregation and grouping, comparison method,
and so. The results obtained in the base of data analysis in the average of the years 2006-2009 allowed us to
conclude an essential variation in the level of intensity in the agricultural enterprises depending on region of
development. Economic efficiency of intensifying of the grain production and leguminous grains (without corn) is
characterized by lower level. The yields of resources are at a lower level.

Key words: intensity, intensification, efficiency, resources, yields

INTRODUCTION
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The cereals and grain vegetables are the most
important agricultural crops cultivated in the The climatic conditions from Moldova
all developing regions from Moldova republic correspond largely to the biological
Republic. The value of these ones is not requirements of the cereals and grain
limited to the fact that the cereals are the vegetables and as a result one may obtain high
principal source in nutrition, but also results harvests of superior quality.
from the importance of the cereals inclusion The sowed surface with cereals varies from a
in the rotation, the soil cleaning of the weeds, year to year, from 1076 thousands ha in 2001
providing the improvement of the agricultural years till 1005 thousands ha in 2008, its
lot structure, etc. weight in the total sum of the crops is of 67
The transition to the intensive preponderant percent. The total production of cereals and
development is considered as a primordial grain vegetables in 2008 year reached the
condition of the stability and maintaining high highest level the latest 8 years – 3169
rhythms of economical increase of the cereals thousand tons, with a productivity at 1 ha of
and grain vegetables production. 31, 5 q, by inhabitant the cereals constituted
888 kg in comparison with 252 kg in 2007
MATERIAL AND METHODS year, the unitary cost of the cereals and grain
vegetables (without maize) made up 1038 leis
In the analysis of level and economical for one ton and the productivity level being of
efficiency of the production intensification of 27, 7 percent [1, p. 322 -340].
the cereals and vegetables for grains there The essential branch of the agrarian sector
were utilized the agricultural enterprises data remains to be the cultivation of the vegetal
from Moldova Republic using the valuable products, whose value (in comparable prices
and natural indicators. For the analysis they of 2005 year) constitutes 67 percent – 74
were utilized relative and middle sizes, the percent in 2008 year from the value of
grouping method, comparative method, agricultural production and wick is
indexes method etc. consequently being developed in a particular
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rhythm in concordance with the conditions of Table 1. The level of material consumptions in account
the market relations in order to satisfy at an at 1 ha of sown fields on producing cereals and grain
vegetables (without maize) in the agricultural
maximum level the consumption demands of enterprises in regional profile from Moldova Republic,
the population with food products, to provide in average of 2006 – 2009 years
the necessary of forage for animals and raw Consumptions at 1 ha crops, lei
material for the processing industry as well as from which:
The developing Total The labor Seeds Chemic
the providing availabilities for the region payment al and
exportation. The analysis of the dynamics of with natural
contributions fertilize
the production consumptions level in for the social rs
calculation at 1 ha of cereals sown fields and insurance
Chisinau city 2299, 7 415, 6 351, 9 319, 9
grain vegetables points out the increase of
North 2648, 6 273, 9 355, 0 377, 6
these ones from 1605 leis / ha in 2001 up to Center 2407, 6 261, 1 367, 9 283, 2
2272 leis / ha in 2009, that is the increase of South 2363, 4 241, 5 314, 0 304, 6
UTA Gagauzia 2478, 6 305, 9 350, 7 265, 3
more than 40 percent, but in comparison with In average, in
2008 just 2 times more. It is remarked a agricultural 2504 268 345, 6 323, 5
enterprises in
tendency of increasing of the principal types Republic
of consumptions, like: the labor payment with Source: the author accounts on the basis of the
contributions for the state social insurance and specialized forms of the agricultural enterprises from
compulsory medicine with approximatively Moldova Republic
38 percent till 2009 year and whose the
weight constitutes in the total consumptions The data of the table 1 demonstrate that the
10 - 18 percent; the value of the seeds highest level the material consumptions at 1
increased with 45 percent and the weight in ha of crops is possessed by the agricultural
the total consumptions constitutes 15 – 20 enterprises from Chisinau city, followed by
percent; the value of the chemical and natural the North region. In the South regions, Center
fertilizers raised with a higher rhythm starting and UTA Gagauzia this indicator is more
with 2005 year and in 2008 year made up 4, 5 reduced as average in our republic that
lei / ha, the weight of this one in the total Constitutes 2504 leis / ha.
consumptions constitutes 7, 7 percent in 2001 The intensification process of the production
year with an increase up 13 – 14 percent the producing is not reduced to the analysis of the
latest years. intensity level. For the phytotechnical area it
The material consumptions at 1 ha of cereals is important not only the volume of the
and grain vegetables sown fields in average in applied means in the development of the
republic in the agricultural enterprises production, but also the rational utilization of
increased in 2008 – 2009 years in comparison these ones, that is it is necessary the
with 2006 – 2007 from 2204 lei / ha till 2757 permanent comparison of the consumptions
lei / ha, or with 25 percent. But in regional and supplementary expenses with the obtained
profile the level of increasing is diverse results so that each consumed lieu would
(Table 1). provide a maximum compensation.
For the characterizing of the intensification of
cereals and grain vegetables production it is
necessary the indicators determination that
characterizes the economical efficiency of this
one, that points out the means with help of
which the production was obtained and which
is the level of the compensation of the applied
means in intensification.

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Table 2. The indicators of the economical efficiency of 2. The level of the cereal production intensity
the intensification of the cereals and grain vegetables in regional profile is differentiated but the
production (without maize) in the agricultural
enterprises in regional profile from Moldova Republic,
highest one is possessed by the enterprises
in the average of 2006 – 2009 years from Chisinau city and North region.
The Raw profit estimated in lei Productivity
development level, %
region Productivity percent
3.The economical efficiency of the
at 1 ha, q
1 ha of 1q of sold
production intensification is at a low level,
sown production each 1 leu consumptions is compensated with
fields from
on which 15,5 bani profit and only in the enterprises of
the
production
the North region the level of the productivity
was sold is of 20,1 percent.
Chisinau city 24, 2 17, 0 0, 67 0,5 4. The base of the intensification of the
North 23, 6 525 22, 2 20,1
cereals and grain vegetables production
Center 18, 9 255 13, 4 11,3 remains to be the application of new modern
South 20, 6 386 18, 7 17,3 techniques and technologies, the utilization of
UTA 19, 8 134 6,7 5,5 the irrigations systems, the soil fertilization
Gagauzia
In average on 21, 4 375 17,5 15,5 etc.
the republic
enterprises
Source: the author estimations on the basis of the specialized REFERENCES
forms of the agricultural enterprises from Moldova Republic

[1]Statistical year – book of Moldova Republic, 2009,

The date of the table 2 point out that the Chisinau, Statistics, p. 576.
economical efficiency of the cereals [2] Timofti Elena, Popa Daniela, 2009, The efficiency
production in the enterprises of Chisinau city of the economical mechanism in the agrarian sector,
is the most reduced although the productivity Chisinau, IFES, p. 343.
at 1 ha was more increased with 13,4 percent
than the average.
The enterprises from Chisinau city are not
specialized in the production of the cereals
and grain vegetables [2, p. 99]. The high level
of the consumptions at 1 ha did not contribute
to the reduced sales costs that influenced on
the profitability diminution. A highest row
profit at 1 ha of sown fields from on which
the production was sold and at 1q of sold
product was obtained in the enterprises of
North and South regions. In these regions at
each consumed 1 lei was obtained 20,1 bani
and 17,3 bani profit, respectively. But also
such compensation levels of consumptions we
consider them being insufficient for an
enlarged reproduction.

CONCLUSIONS

1. In the dynamics of 2001 – 2009 years the

intensity level of cereals and grain vegetables
production (without maize) has an increasing
tendency.

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ACCOUNTS ON THE ANALYSIS OF THE INTENSIFICATION PROCESS
OF THE PRODUCTION OF GRAPES IN AGRICULTURAL
ENTERPRISES IN DEVELOPING REGIONS OF REPUBLIC OF
MOLDOVA
Diana MEMEŢ1, Cristina TIMOFTI2
1
The State Agricultural University of Moldova, 44, Mircesti st., MD- 2049, Chisinau, Republic of
Moldova, Phone: +373 22 43 25 85, Fax: + 373 22 31 22 76
2
Moldova State University, 60, Mateevici A. st., MD-2009, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova,
Phone: +373 22 57 74 60, e-mail: cristina_timofti@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: diana.cotruta@mail.ru

Abstract

In the present work was studied the intensification process of the production of grapes using the natural and value
indicators system. For this study was taken into consideration the specializing of enterprises in the production of
grapes. In the analysis was used the economic-statistical methods that: observation, method of medium sizes,
aggregation and so. The analysis in the base of average data of the years 2006-2009 indicates an essential variation
so the intensity level, how the intensification of economic efficiency in developing regions Center, South, UTA
“Gagauzia” and Chisinau municipality. The intensity level is a lower level and used resources are used efficiently.

Keywords: intensification, resources, yields, specialization, intensity, efficiency

INTRODUCTION of the vitivinicultural branch was reached in

the period of 1981 – 1985 years, when by the
The principal direction of developing of the
size of fruit plantations (246 thousand ha) the
viticulture branch of Republic of Moldova is
total harvest of grapes, the productivity at 1 ha
the grapes production of the technical
as well as by the volume of the wine products
varieties (about go per cent), table (about 10
the Republic of Moldova occupied the 6th
percent) with the majoration of the last up 15
place in the world after Italy, France,
per cent in 2015.
Romania, Spain and Portugal. It allowed to
The conditions of climate, relief, soil as well
our republic to become a producer of
as local traditions of certain developing
qualitative wines and a recognized exporter of
regions from our republic determined the
viticulture and wine products abroad.
specialization concerning the cultivation of
The negative processes of the transition to the
the vine and manufacturing of the products
market economy, the social and economical
from the grapes. The vine is one of the crops
events and the natural disasters affected
which in the conditions of the hilly relief,
seriously the viticulture plantations of the
especially of the developing region of the
republic.
Centre make possible an efficient
In comparison with 1981 – 1985 years the
capitalization of the agricultural lots in slope
surface of the vine plantations was reduced
with the angle of inclination bigger than 5̊ on
with 98, 6 thousand ha or by 37 per cent.
which the cultivation of other agricultural
The total volume of clearing of the vineyards
cultures is not profitable.
surpasses the plantation surface of new
At the first of January 2009 the viticulture
vineyards of approximatively twice.
patrimony of our country was constituting
155,7 thousand ha, from which 147,4
thousand ha or 94,7 per cent was in the MATERIAL AND METHODS
possession of the private owners but the rest –
In the research there were utilized data from
8,3 thousand ha (5,3 per cent) in the public
the Statistic Year-book, the specialized forms
property. [1]. The apogee of the development
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of the agricultural enterprises. For In the enterprises of Chisinau city and South
effectuating of a more detailed analysis of the region the material consumptions at 1 ha of
intensity level and of the economical fruit plantations are larger than the average on
efficiency of the intensifying of the grapes the all enterprises.
production they were selected the enterprises It is known that the specialization is realized
from the Developing regions of Centre and in the conditions of a certain degree of the
South. As investigation methods of the production concentration. The emplacement
problems they were utilized: the method of of the vine by regions is based on the natural
statistic grouping, the middle and relative resources that are firstly the land. The
sizes. emplacement of the vine show how well or
how badly are utilized the territorial
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS economical and natural conditions and that
are reflected in the process of specializing and
The analyses of the intensity level on concentration, in the structure of the obtained
producing the grapes in the dynamics of the revenues from the production sale. The weight
2001 – 2003 years established an increase of of the obtained revenues from the sale of the
the material consumptions in account at 1 ha goods – production in the total sum of the
of fruit plantations in the agricultural revenues constitutes: Chisinau – city – 32 per
enterprises from 4103 leis / ha in 2001 up to cent, UTA Gagauzia – 26, 5 per cent, the
7439 leis / ha, or more than 80 per cent. The South – 20 percent, and the Center – 6,2
consumption for the planting material percent. For the enterprises of the North
necessary in the places of cleared vines are at region are put restrictions. For an absolute and
a reduced level and makes up 4 – 31 leis /ha, multilateral analysis of the intensification of
but the consumptions for chemical and natural the efficiency of the grapes production is
fertilizers reach only 160 ~ 343 leis /ha. utilizes the indicators system that corresponds
In regional profile the intensity level of the definitively to the principal criterion of the
grapes production is diverse (Table 1). efficiency – the maximum obtaining the
finished products of high quality or an unit of
Table 1. The level of material consumptions in
calculation at 1 ha fruit plantations on producing grapes
surface with labor consumptions and
in the agricultural enterprises from Moldova Republic minimum production means (Table 2).
in regional profile, in average of 2006 – 2009 years
Consumptions at 1 ha fruit plantations, lei Table 2. Economical efficiency of the grapes
from which: production intensification in the agricultural enterprises
Labor from Moldova Republic in regional profile
The payment Chemical
developing The
Total with Seedling and Developing productivity Raw profile The level of
region contributions material natural region on the 1 ha calculated in the
for the social fertilizers of fruit lei productivity
insurance plantations
Chisinau 12816 5614 101 109
city Chisinau city 62,4 3149 10,6 5,7
North 4930 1559 13 332 North 22,9 - - 19,5 - 8,2
366
Center 6825 2679,7 - 225
Center 31,8 356 11,1 5,4
South 7517 2903 14 274 South 33,3 1697 50,9 23,7
UTA 5716 2321 32 201 UTA Gagauzia 24,8 180 7,2 3,2
Gagauzia In average on
the enterprises 33,1 929 28,1 13,4
In average at from Republic
the 7310 2905 22,3 234 of Moldova
enterprises The source: the author estimations on the basis of the specialized
of Republic forms of the agricultural enterprises from Moldova Republic
of Moldova

The analysis of the economical efficiency of

the intensification of the grapes production
(Table 2) demonstrates a higher level in the
South developing region.
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Just in this region, although the productivity
at 1 ha of fruit plantations is on an average
level in republic and the middle price of sale
of 1q of grapes reached the level of 266,3 leis
for an 1 q that is by 11, 2 percent more than
the average of the republic. It indicates at a
quantity more superior of the product. The
unitary cost of a 1q constitutes 214, 4 leis.
Thanks to the fact that rhythm of increasing of
the sale price of 1q of grapes is higher than
the cost increase, the agricultural enterprises
from the South Region obtained a profit at 1q
of 50, 9 leis and at 1 ha fruit plantations 1697
leis, but at each one lei consumptions
obtained a profit of 23, 7 bani.
But also such a level of resulted obtained
indicators is not sufficient for effectuating an
enlarged reproduction of the grapes
production.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The intensity level of the grapes production

is reduced although that during 2001 – 2009
years has an increasing tendency.
2. In regional profile the intensity level of the
grapes production is different, but in the
enterprises of Chisinau city and in the South
region it is raiser.
3. Thanks to the fact that in the enterprises
from the South region the resources are
utilized more efficient and the rhythm of
increasing of the sale price of a 1q of grapes is
higher than the rising cost of 50, 9 lei and at 1
ha of fruit plantations – 1697 lei.
REFERENCES
[1]Statistic year – book of Moldova Republic, 2009,
Chisinau, Statistics, p. 576.

[2] Timofti Elena, Popa Daniela, 2009, The efficiency

of the economical mechanism in the agrarian sector,
Chisinau, IFES, p. 343.

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BEEKEEPING PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY IN THE CONTEXT OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

Virgiliu MOREI

The State Agricultural University of Moldova

44 Mircesti, 2049, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova,
Phone: +373 22 432 432, Fax: +373 22 312 276, E-mail: virgiliumorei@yahoo.com
Abstract

The article is focused on determining the economic efficiency and arguing the economic calculations connected with
the economic efficiency of the melliferous bees breeding within the agricultural farms of the Republic of Moldova. In
order to make an analysis, the author proposed the idea of creating a model apiary breeding 10 and 50 families of
bees, the one that can be implemented and managed within a family farm. The economic calculations connected
with melliferous bees breeding have been done taking into consideration the following aspects: assessment of the
necessary investments, planning the annual revenues from sales, calculation of the annual consumptions and
calculation of the final economic results. As a result of practicing the entrepreneurship activity within this apiary
designed for melliferous bees breeding, we determined that it is possible to obtain a sufficient annual profit for
further development of the mentioned business.

Keywords: beekeeping, honey, production costs, sales income, cost, profitability.

INTRODUCTION efficiency of melliferous bees breeding. The

author proposed the idea of creating models of
Beekeeping in the Republic of Moldova is one apiaries breeding 10 and 50 bee families, that
of the oldest occupations, which developed on can be implemented and managed within a
these lands due to local natural conditions, family farm. The necessary investments to set
favorable climate, topography and vegetation. up these farms and to purchase the production
Melliferous bees make a significant contri- means can be done using personal sources or
bution to the agricultural production, primarily the ones obtained from another financing
due to the pollination of over 150 species of source.
cultivated entomophilous plants (sunflower,
buckwheat, rape, fruit trees, fodder crops RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
etc.), which occupy an important territory of
our country. An example shows that orchard The peak of beekeeping development in
pollination by bees, leads to production increase Moldova was recorded in the period 1975-
by 20-50%, thus the production growth from 1985. During this period, due to the fact that
bee pollination is valued at approx. 2.0 thousand this branch was supported morally and
MDL/ bee family. Also, bees are the main materially by the state, the number of bee
pollinator of wild entomophilous flora, ensuring families reached about 230-250 thousand. The
biodiversity development in nature. production of honey, obtained from the given
In addition, the practice of beekeeping allows number, reached 5,000 tonnes. About 15,000
to obtain a series of special biological value bee colonies and about 40,000 bee queens
products both for food and health, such as: have been exported to the ex-Soviet Union
honey, pollen, royal jelly, apilarnil, propolis, territory. [3]
wax, bee venom. Bees were used to pollinate crops. About 100-
120 thousand families pollinated the orchards,
MATERIAL AND METHODS sunflower fields, etc., in our Republic, each
bee family bringing an income of approx. 15-
In the present article we will focus on the 20 Soviet rubles. Royal jelly, bee venom,
determination and argumentation of the propolis and pollen are widely used in
economic calculations regarding the economic medicine. Also, during the mentioned period,
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over a thousand of professional beekeepers up to 10-15 bee colonies, 35% – between 15-
were trained, using a nursery of queen bee 40 families, 10% – between 41-100 families,
breeding as a theoretical and practical basis. and 5% – more than 100 families.
Since 1990, with the transition to a market Initially, beekeeping can be run as a second
economy, radical changes have occurred, that occupation, with a small number of hives and
have influenced the working conditions of many hours spent around an experienced
beekeepers. Most apiaries have been moved to beekeeper. The price of honey has increased in
the private sector and were reorganized into recent years. Thus, the profit in beekeeping
joint stock companies. Without the state business is attractive especially if it succeeds
support, many beekeepers have abandoned the to penetrate the Western markets.
job, looking for an activity that would give Working with bees is not difficult, but
them a higher profit. Young professional requires strict compliance with certain rules in
beekeeper left the country for seeking a more order to avoid accidents. [1]
secure income abroad. In the last 25 years, the Profit increases from year to year, being
number of bee families in Moldova reduced directly proportional with the number of bees,
greatly. and depends on weather conditions. In rural
Currently, about 4,500 beekeepers work in the areas, beekeeping can be combined with the
Republic of Moldova They breed about 130- cultivation of fruit trees, thereby achieving
140 thousand bee colonies, producing annually higher productivity of these plantations, up to
more than 3-3.5 tonnes of honey (4 hives on five times higher.
1 km2). This index classifies our country A producer who sets up such a business may
among other developed beekeeping countries. reach an output of 400-500 pounds of honey
In the last 2-3 years, there was recorded an until the third or fourth year. The turnover
increase in the number of hives with approx. depends on the selling price. The profit appears
10-15 thousand families per year. In the same earlier than two or three years. Of course,
period, the production of honey produced by a there is a considerable number of small produ-
bee family has increased reaching approx. 25- cers, but only few specialized companies with
30 kg. This fact shows that local beekeepers significant turnover.
oriented to the organization of commodity Below we present two models of starting a
production apiaries, which makes their work beekeeping business. The first model is for
more profitable. Economic analysts say that the category of amateur beekeepers – namely
beekeepers who maintain 200-300 bee families those with limited financial resources, who
can obtain essential income from the bee have the necessary surface to keep bees, but
products marketing. can’t afford to invest a considerable sum of
Beekeepers in Moldova can be grouped into money from the very beginning. The second
the following categories: model can be used by semi professional
- Amateur beekeepers – 10-50 bee families – beekeepers – people who are willing to invest
who practice usually a stationary beekeeping in maintaining a larger number of bee families
at low-cost and who ensure their family and whose work will have as a result a more
consumption with bee products, marketing a considerable profit. [2]
surplus which covers their expenses; I. The apiary model with 10 bee families
- Semi professional beekeepers – 50-100 bee For amateur beekeepers we proposed a model
families – who practice beekeeping as a of 10 bee families, which requires the
second profession and aim at higher income following investments to launch:
from honey production; they are concerned Bee families – to launch a profitable business,
with investment and can practice this activity initially it is necessary to purchase about 10
on a large scale; bee families. The initial investment in bee
- Professional beekeepers – over 100 bee families can then be recovered by selling the
families – for this category beekeeping is a newly created families, or by expanding the
business. business. The price of a bee family is about
In Moldova, most beekeepers 50% maintain 800 MDL, therefore, the necessary funds to
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purchase 10 bee families bees will be 8,000 Auxiliary inventory consists of: comb, feeders,
MDL. fumarate, mask, knife, chisel and beekeeping,
Apiary – the place where beehives and the collecting pollen filter, honey, collection container,
box to storage equipment, inventory, etc. are transportation and storage of honey – drums,
located. The land may be a private property or pots, etc.
can be leased. The apiary can be of stationary The following ideas were taken into account
or mobile type. In the first case, if it is placed when elaborating the present model:
outside of the village, it is necessary to  beekeeping will be a family business
provide the expenses for buying or building a and there will not be necessary to hire
box, a fence, and in the second case – purchase additional staff;
a mobile platform. In the presented case, the  honey extraction will be performed
apiary will be of a stationary type and nearby twice a year: in early June and in the Ist
agricultural crops (1.5 to 2 km) representing decade of August;
the basis for honey production.  every extraction is expected to gain at
Another element that requires considerable least 15 kg of honey per family;
investments are beehives. Each beehive is  retail price of a kilogram of honey will
inhabited by a family, so, in order to maintain be on average 40 MDL;
the volume of selected bees it is required to  the operation period of beekeeping
purchase 10 hives. The average cost of a hive equipment is about 10 years;
Dadan Blat is 850 MDL, thus the sum  the wear is calculated by linear method.
invested in the purchase of hives will be of Therefore, in order to increase the number of
8,500 MDL. those 10 bee families, at the initial stage, it
Centrifuge to collect honey – serves to extract will be necessary to purchase the minimum
honey from honeycombs. It is desirable to use necessary equipment. The total investment
stainless steel centrifuge. Its price is 2,600 will be of 21,460 MDL, and annual depre-
MDL. ciation will be of 2,078 MDL (Table 1).
Table 1.Planning for increasing investment and maintenance of 10 bee families
Unit cost, Total, The period of Annual depre-
Specification Unit Quantity
MDL MDL use, years ciation, MDL
Bee families families 10 800.00 8,000.00 10 800.00
Hives with wooden frames units 10 850.00 8,500.00 20 425.00
Vessels to store honey units 6 85.00 510.00 20 25.50
Beekeeping inventory of current use (fumarate, mask, gown,
fork, cage) a set 1 175.00 175.00 2 87.50
Beekeeping inventory of long term use (chisel, knife, maker
of honey, pollen collector, etc.). a set 1 425.00 425.00 5 85.00
Stainless steel centrifuge units 1 2,600.00 2,600.00 20 130.00
Wire and artificial honeycombs a set 10 100.00 1,000.00 2 500.00
Auxiliary materials (feeders) units 10 25.00 250.00 10 25.00
TOTAL × × × 21,460.00 × 2,078.00

Beekeeping can generate more revenue The second marketed product from beekeeping
sources. The main source is, of course, honey is the wax. A family of bees produce 200-
marketing, but additional income can be 300 g of wax, commodity that can be sold at
obtained from the sale of bee swarms the price of 90 MDL per 1 kg, so, from 10 bee
produced during the year, agricultural plant families, during one year a beekeeper can get
pollination services; also the grown honey- about 2-3 kg of wax.
combs wax may be sold. The beekeeper can also get income from
Thus, if the average yield of honey from one agricultural crops pollination. The controlled
bee family is about 30 kg, then 10 bee pollination of entomophilous crops with the
families collect 300 kg of honey (Table 2). help of bees should be based on mutual
The average price of honey marketing will be agreements between the farmers and beekeepers.
of 40 MDL/kg, which allows to obtain the The payment of pollination is determined
sales revenue of 12,000 MDL. according to a negotiation between the parties,

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Table 2
Table 2 .Plan to increase the annual economic performance and maintenance of 10 bee families
Unit cost, Total,
Specification Unit Quantity
MDL MDL
I. Sales income MDL × × 13,130.00
Honey (2 harvests: Ist dec. of June and Ist dec. of August) 30 kg / fam. / year kg 300 40.00 12,000.00
Wax (200 g fam. / year) kg 2 90.00 180.00
Crop pollination units 10 20.00 200.00
Swarms of bees families 5 150.00 750.00
II. Annual variable consumptions MDL × × 1,655.00
Administration of syrup for spring stimulation (apispir, covitsan or others) families 10 14.00 140.00
Hives disinfection (petrol lamp) families 10 4.00 40.00
Treatment against varroa (fumisan, bipin, varachet, varatraz, amipol, baivarol) families 10 10.00 100.00
Change of queens (once in every 2 years) MDL 10 50.00 250.00
Filling food reserves and fall stimulation (sugar – 5 kg / fam.) MDL 50 10.50 525.00
Travel expenses (round-trip 10 km / 2 harvests) MDL × 600.00 600.00
III. Gross profit (I-II) MDL × × 11,475.00
IV. Fixed annual consumptions MDL × × 2,593.80
Specialized consulting services units 2 70.00 140.00
Veterinary services and consulting units 2 70.00 140.00
Depreciation of fixed assets MDL × × 2,078.00
Other expenses (10%) MDL × × 235.80
V. Net profit before taxation (III-IV) MDL × × 8,881.20

and on average it is estimated to 20-30 MDL All calculations can vary depending on the
per year per a family. The maintenance of a quality of obtained production, the negotiated
greater number of bee colonies leads to price with the purchasers, the type of purchased
additional sources of income, namely: trading equipment, number of honey harvests, etc.
pollen, propolis and royal jelly. As a result of developing the business of
On average, during a calendar year, 10 bee breeding 10 bee families, a beekeeper can
families can form other 5 families, some of obtain a net profit of 8,881.20 MDL, which
which can be sold, some left to increase the can be a considerable source of income for a
number of families. In this case, the quantity potential beekeeper only with the correct
of honey collected in the 2nd year will increase management of the business.
by approx. 50%. In the presented model, it II. The apiary model with 50 bee families
was assumed that the swarms formed in the This model is designed for people who wish
first year were sold at the price of 150 MDL to keep bees at a semi-professional level, and
per family. involves the number of 50 bee families,
From an economic perspective, the largest applying the practice of pastoral beekeeping.
share of income from bee products marketing Thus, the necessary investment will be about
(approx. 91%) is the production of honey. In 120,250 MDL and the amount deducted from
value units, the sales revenue during the first the depreciation of fixed assets will be of
year of maintaining 10 bee families will make 10,535 MDL per year (Table 3).
up 13,130 MDL. Examining the annual The maintenance of a greater number of bee
expenditure incurred in the apiary with 10 bee colonies leads to additional sources of income,
families, we conclude that the highest percen- namely: trading pollen, propolis and royal, etc.
tage is held by breakdowns from the depre- (Table 4).
ciation of fixed assets.
Table 3.Planning the necessary investment to keep and maintain 50 bee families
Unit cost, Total, The period of Annual depre-
Specification Unit Quantity
MDL MDL use, years ciation, MDL
A 1 2 3 4 5 6
Bee families families 50 800.00 40,000.00 10 4,000.00
Hives with wooden frames units 50 850.00 42,500.00 20 2,125.00
Vessels to store honey units 30 85.00 2,550.00 20 127.50
Beekeeping inventory of current use (fumarate, mask, gown,
fork, cage) a set 2 175.00 350.00 2 175.00
Beekeeping inventory of long term use (chisel, knife, maker
of honey, pollen collector, 50 pillows) a set 1 425.00 425.00 5 85.00
Stainless steel centrifuge units 1 4,400.00 4,400.00 20 220.00

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Table 3 - continued
A 1 2 3 4 5 6
Wire and artificial honeycombs a set 50 100.00 5,000.00 2 2,500.00
Auxiliary materials (feeders) units 1 25.00 25.00 10 2.50
Pollen collector units 20 50.00 1,000.00 10 100.00
Platform designed to carry bee families for pastoral
beekeeping units 1 24,000.00 24,000.00 20 1,200.00
TOTAL × × X 120,250.00 X 10,535.00

Table 4.Planning annual economic results for keeping and maintaining 50 bee families
Unit cost, Total,
Specification Unit Quantity
MDL MDL
I. Sales income MDL × × 123,500.00
Honey (2 harvests: Ist dec. of June and Ist dec. of August) 30 kg / fam. / year kg 1,500 40.00 60,000.00
Wax (200 g fam. / year) kg 10 90.00 900.00
Crop pollination units 50 20.00 1,000.00
Propolis (50 g / fam.) kg 2,5 800.00 2,000.00
Pollen (0,8 kg / fam.) kg 40 240.00 9,600.00
Royal jelly powder (50 g / fam.) kg 2,5 20,000.00 50,000.00
II. Annual variable consumptions MDL × × 14,350.00
Administration of syrup for spring stimulation (apispir, covitsan or others) families 50 14.00 700.00
Hives disinfection (petrol lamp) families 50 4.00 200.00
Treatment against varroa (fumisan, bipin, varachet, varatraz, amipol, baivarol) families 50 10.00 500.00
Change of queens (once in every 2 years) MDL 50 50.00 1,250.00
Stimulation of nannies families to obtain royal jelly (120 kg / 1 kg sugar / jelly) MDL 300 10.50 1,575.00
Filling food reserves and fall stimulation (sugar – 5 kg / fam.) MDL 250 10.50 2,625.00
Travel expenses (round-trip 10 km / 2 harvests) MDL × 6,000.00 6,000.00
Taxes for placing hives in the forest fund MDL × 15.00 1,500.00
III. Gross profit (I-II) MDL × × 109,150.00
IV. Fixed annual consumptions MDL × × 14,371.50
Specialized consulting services units 2 70.00 140.00
Veterinary services and consulting units 2 70.00 140.00
Wages for seasonal employees man/days 15 150.00 2,250.00
Depreciation of fixed assets MDL × × 10,535.00
Other expenses (10%) MDL × × 1,306.50
V. Net profit before taxation (III-IV) MDL × × 94,778.50

In this volume of production the average yield is estimated to 20-30 MDL/year for a family,
of honey from one family will be about 30 kg constituting 1,000 MDL per year.
(three harvests respectively), whereas from On average, during a calendar year, 50 bee
50 bee families it will be collected 1500 kg of families can form other 25 families, some of
honey. Honey marketing will be performed at which may be sold, and some may be left to
the average price of 40 MDL/kg, which increase the number of existing families. In
allows to achieve annual sales revenue of the presented model, it was assumed that the
60,000 MDL. beekeeper will transform bee families in nurse
Bees wax is another marketed product from families for producing royal jelly. During a
beekeeping. A family of bees produces 200- warm spring-summer season, a family of bees
300 g wax, commodity that can be sold at the produces 100-150 g of royal jelly. If the nurse
price of 90 MDL per 1 kg, so, during a year family is used for shorter period of time,
from 50 bee families it can be obtained about being combined with honey production
10 kg of wax, which will allow to achieve the activity, a beekeeper can get about 50 g of
total income of 900 MDL. royal jelly. The price of a pound of jelly is
Beekeeper can also get income from the 20,000 MDL. 50 bee families can produce
pollination of melliferous plants. The con- 2.5 kg of royal jelly, so the revenues from
trolled pollination of entomophilous crops with royal jelly sale may be up to 50,000 MDL.
the help of bees should be based on mutual The propolis is collected using special frames.
agreements between the farmers and beekeepers. A family produces about 50 g of propolis, and
The cost of pollination is determined by a 2.5 kg of propolis can be collected from 50
negotiation between the parties, on average, it beehives, thus the income from its sale
amounts to 2,000 MDL.

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It was noticed that a healthy family brings up 4. Strategic development of beekeeping in the
about 150 g of pollen per day. In the first year Republic of Moldova should also be focused
50 families gathered about 40 kg, which will on EU actions in this area. The European
be sold at price of 240 MDL/kg, bringing an Commission has approved national programs
income of 9,600 MDL. for all 27 EU Member States to improve
The costs given in Table 4 are just for production and marketing of bee products,
orientation, because in different conditions a increasing annual support from 26 million in
beekeeper can minimize some operational 2008-2010 to 32 million during 2011-2013.
expenses, and for the family business it will This funding would be used specifically to
exclude the payment for seasonal employees. support beekeepers and provide the necessary
As a result of developing a beekeeping funds for national research projects, in order
business of 50 bee families, a beekeeper can to discover methods to control varroa mite
obtain a net profit of 94,778.5 MDL, which and other diseases and pests the bees are
may be a considerable source of income only facing. [4]
with the correct management of the business.
Analyzing the financial results of the presented AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
two models, we can emphasize the fact that it
is more profitable to carry out this work at a The present publication was elaborated in the
semi-professional or professional level. One frame of the project „Economic reasoning of
of the arguments being that the initial production activities in the agricultural sector
investment is recovered more quickly, the of the Republic of Moldova”, financed by the
offered range of bee products is diversified, Supreme Council for Science and Technolo-
fact that minimizes business risk – to have in gical Development of the Academy of Sciences
stock unmarketed production. of Moldova (financing contract nr. 21/ind from
22.01.2009).
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
1. Beekeeping today proves to be a viable
business, with large chances of success, given [1] Calalb Mihai, Cebotaru Valentina, Bugaian Larisa,
that Moldova’s melliferous potential is about 2007. Afaceri apicole. Asociatia pentru Reforma si
Dezvoltarea Sistemului Educational din Republica
500,000 bee colonies, and now there are more Moldova ORDSE, Chisinau, 297 p.
than 140,000. [2] Stratan Alexandru, Zbanca Andrei, Morei Virgiliu,
2. Encouraging is the fact that now the export Litvin Aurelia, Petcu Igor, 2010. Ghid privind
of honey is renewed. The sale of this delicious argumentarea economica a activitatilor din agricul-
product has shifted to West, to European tura Republicii Moldova (sectorul zootehnic). Casa
editorial-poligrafica Bons Offices, Chisinau, 214 p.
countries, where honey produced in the [3] http://apicultura.md/descrierea-apiculturii-in-
Republic of Moldova is considered a purely moldova
organic product of a great value. The export of [4] http://www.piataagricola.eu/apicultura.htm
swarms of bees and queens is less practiced.
3. Currently, beekeeping, as a branch of animal
husbandry, can experience a true development
and sustainable economic growth only in
conditions of market economy and in the
European context. In this regard, the National
Program of beekeeping development in Moldova
was developed, which aims to develop bee-
keeping in order to fully exploit the honey
potential of the country, ensuring the quality
of bee products, according to international
norms and their recovery at best prices on
both the internal and external market. [3]
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FOOD INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN THE RURAL AREA OF THE

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Victor MOROZ, Anatolie IGNAT

Institute of Economics, Finance and Statistics, 45, Ion Creanga str, MD-2064, Chisinau, Republic of
Moldova, tel: +37322 501114, email: vmoroz27@gmail.com, anatolie.ignat@gmail.com

Abstract

The paper is aimed to present the state of food industry in the Republic of Moldova and its role for increasing
employment in the non-farm rural economy. At present in the food processing and beverage industry activates several
hundreds of companies and specialized units. Most of them are concentrated in urban areas. Small-scale food
processing emerges in rural localities but it remains rather limited. Analysis is based on the information provided by
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, National Bureau of Statistics, and qualitative data collected during the field
study of small and medium scale food industries that have been undertaken during the period of November-December
2010 in order to reveal the current situation and major impediments for the further sector development. The analytical
work was based on the semi structured in depth interviews conducted in private food industries.

Keywords: non-farm economy, food industry, food business operators, food safety

INTRODUCTION industries, based on the semi structured in

depth questionnaires. During the field study
Nowadays the combination of labor outflow six food processing companies has been
from agriculture in Moldova in recent years, interviewed. Profiles of selected companies
low rates of agricultural growth, and rising were chosen according to the key sub-sectors
rural poverty all argue against the capacity of of the food processing industry.
primary agriculture to create new jobs and
provide necessary livelihood for rural RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
inhabitants.
Therefore it is necessary to increase The economy of the Republic of Moldova has
employment in the non-farm rural economy in registered some growth tendencies beginning
order to create opportunities for rural growth with the year 2000. The most important
and labor absorption. contribution to the economic growth between
In conditions of the insufficiency of 2000 and 2009 belongs to the services sector.
investments in rural non-farm activities Among the main factors that have stimulated
promotion of the food processing SME based the economic growth were the increase in
on own savings and remittances could imports and remittances from labor migrants.
contribute to rural development [4]. Agriculture contributed with less than 9% to
the GDP, while over 28% of the active
MATERIAL AND METHODS population of the country is engaged in
agriculture. Agriculture in Moldova
For the analysis of the agri-food sector the traditionally serves as an informal safety net,
sub-sector approach have been used. The ratio providing subsistence and limited cash
between the agri-food industry and total income from fresh sales or lightly processed
agricultural production in current prices was products.
calculated in order to give a rough assessment Impact of factors such as consolidation
of the added value to the agricultural row processes, technological improvements in
material. The primary information was primary agriculture contribute to the high rate
collected through interviews conducted in of rural unemployment and migration of labor
relevant public authorities and private food force abroad.

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Thus, given the likely disproportionate effects one hundred of small and medium canneries
of the crisis on rural Moldova, if progress in mainly serving the domestic marketplace.
rural poverty is not further to worsen, there is Together these firms process from 150,000 to
a need for increased employment in the non- 200,000 tons of raw material, mainly apples
farm rural economy. Indeed, this appears to and plums. Main products are concentrated
offer opportunities for rural growth and labor apple juice, fruit and tomato paste, canned
absorption. fruits and vegetables. However, the potential
The food industry has maintained its of the fruit and vegetable processing industry
importance. Thus food processing and is used at only one third of its capacity.
beverage industry contributes with almost Meat processing. Moldova’s meat-
33% of the total industry production in the processing industry is highly consolidated,
year 2009. At present in this sector activates while official statistical data indicate there
several hundreds of companies and were 189 meat processing enterprises and
specialized units. The most important production units in the year 2009. “Carmez”
companies are concentrated in domains of in Chisinau and “Basarabia Nord” in Balti
vine production, fruit and vegetables dominate the domestic market, together
processing, meat production and processing, controlling about 2/3 of the local market.
mills and bakeries, and dairy production [5]. Along with “Carmez International”, a Belgian
Wine and brandy production. Wine and joint venture now separated from “Carmez”,
distilled spirits represent the largest portion of these companies dominate the export market
Moldova’s food processing and a significant and have strong brands. All three import 85 to
part of all industrial output. Moldova has 132 95 percent of their meat and offal raw
enterprises dealing with wine production and material and nearly all of their ingredients for
bottling. In addition there are 7 brandy sausage and ham manufacture. A handful of
factories producing, maturing and bottling other manufacturers supply sausage and
distillates. About 70,000 individuals, mostly smoked meats to the supermarket and small
smallholder farmers, grow grapes. More than shop outlets in cities and towns.
6,000 workers are engaged in wine processing Meat companies operate their abattoirs on an
that is almost twice less than in the year 2005. intermittent basis, because domestic stock is
Mills and bakeries. A number of 301 mills more expensive than imported frozen meat.
and 306 bakeries activates in the country. The production of the processing industry is
They employ 1.2 thousand and 6.9 thousands exported mainly to CIS states, particularly
persons respectively. Nowadays in the sub- because Moldova has not qualified for the
sector of mills and bakeries can be observed a status needed to export meat products to the
concentration of producers, grouped around EU.
the large bread-baking plants that have a Dairy production. The dairy industry is
market share of about 65% from one side and based primarily on the supply of raw milk
the group of small and medium scale bakeries from small producers from company-owned
that have a market share of circa 35%. As collection centers and from dairy cooperatives
main leaders in this sub sector can be with collection centers financed by the dairy
mentioned Franzeluta SA located in the companies or through donor programs. While
capital city, the bread baking plant from Balti overall milk supply is adequate and animal
in the North region and the bread baking plant productivity has been increasing slowly, dairy
CahulPan SA in the South. processors have seen only marginal
Fruit and vegetable processing. Fruit and improvements in the quality of milk [1].
vegetable processors are divided into two Foreign investment in the sector has been
main groups: the first comprise a small relatively strong in past years due to the
number of large firms, focused on export potential for import substitution, but these
markets and producing about 80 percent of investors are beginning to question the
the total output of the sub-sector; and almost
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viability of the sector’s dependence on the steady decreasing during the recent years that
household milk production. means stagnation in the food industry.

Table 1. Total number of enterprises and average 0,9

annual number of staff employed, in the food
processing industry, 2005-2009 0,8

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 0,7

Manufacture of wine 0,6

Number of enterprises 174 166 159 136 132 0,5
Employees, thou pers. 13.4 10.5 7.8 7.4 6.2 0,4
Mills 0,3
Number of enterprises 319 326 320 295 301 0,2
Employees, thou pers. 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.2 1990 1993 1996 2000 2003 2006 2009
Bakeries
Number of enterprises 295 296 297 285 306 Figure 1. Ratio between the production of agri-food
Employees, thou pers. 6.8 6.8 6.9 7.1 6.9 industry and total agricultural production, 1990-2009,
Fruit and vegetable processing current prices, mln. Lei
Number of enterprises 110 113 101 94 105
Employees, thou pers. 5.1 5.0 4.5 4.3 3.1 At the same time in different rural areas,
Meat processing industry predominantly in suburbs have appeared a
Number of enterprises 178 179 177 182 189 impressive number of small and medium
Employees, thou pers. 2.4 2.5 2.9 3.0 3.0 scale food business operators (FBO) dealing
Dairy industry with a wide range of food products starting
Number of enterprises 56 54 47 47 51 with meat, fish and dairy processing and
Employees, thou pers. 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.4 ending with cool fruit and vegetable storage
Source: [3] and processing. In order to reveal the current
situation and major impediments for the
The industrial facilities supply dairy products further development of this sub-sectors a field
that require quick consumption (pasteurized study of small and medium scale food
milk) and low storage space (sour cream, industries have been undertaken during the
yogurt, curds, soft cheeses). However, the period of November-December 2010.
bulk of the population is served by dairy During the field study six food processing
products produced in small household companies has been interviewed. The profiles
operations in rural areas for local of selected companies were chosen according
consumption. Thus the utilization rate of to the key sub-sectors of the food processing
existing large scale plant capacity is low, at industry. Thus the pool of interviewed FBOs
about 15-20 percent. was constituted out of a fish processing
Furthermore food business operators, company “Asamblor” SRL, a meat processing
specialized in meat and diary production, company “Frocvel” SRL, a poultry meat
currently are not in a position to ensure that production company ”Aviprod plus” SRL, a
potential exports to the EU fulfils the relevant vegetable processing company “Moisei
EU requirements [2]. Angela” and two fruit processors “Minunata
The overall added value to the agricultural Xenia” SRL and “Pronutconagro” SRL. All
row material is very low. Moldovan interviewed companies are located in two
agricultural production and export being villages in the suburb of the Chisinau and
specialized mostly in row material and semi falls under the category of small and medium
processed agri-food products. Thus reported enterprises (SME).
to each lei of primary agricultural production
have been produced only 0,7 lei of food Main findings
products in the year 2009, that is comparable All interviewed FBOs represent new
with the level of the 90th. And this ratio is companies created on the basis of own
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financial savings. Often these companies have with the occasional use of bank credits
used bank credits and remittances as starting and remittances.
capital for their businesses. • SME have developed abilities and
Each of interviewed companies employs on capacities to organize successful exports
average 25 persons that is significant for rural to EU countries.
areas. • SME are not integrated horizontally with
Despite of the lack of supportive food other similar FBOs, while vertical
legislation several food processing companies integration is limited to supply contracts.
have developed a successful export of their • FBOs need training in meeting general
products to EU countries. In the same time the hygiene requirements for food processing
majority of the FBOs visited are not aware of and modern food safety and quality
the recent EU requirements concerning management practice such as GMP (Good
HACCP. Manufacturing Practices), HACCP and
The major part of the FBOs have an written the ISO quality management systems.
own-check plan that includes: a cleaning and • It is important to strengthen the capacity
disinfection procedure, a procedure for the building of food business association in
water supply control, a procedure for pest order to improve their ability to provide
control, an employees’ training program, a better services to their member companies
procedure for traceability and recall, a through a more transparent creation of
procedure for temperature checks, a procedure FBOs association and decision making
for check on raw materials and suppliers, a process inside of them.
maintenance procedure, a waste management
procedure, a sampling plan for internal ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
controls on raw materials, finished products,
water, etc. This research work was carried out with the
In very rare cases FBOs have a permanent support of Ministry of Agriculture and Food
procedure based on the HACCP principles. Industry and all interviewed food business
However none of the interviewed companies operators that sincerely offered the necessary
have implemented and/or are certified by information.
HACCP.
Interviewed companies do not benefit of any REFERENCES
other kind of assistance from state or NGOs.
Existing FBOs Associations join [1] Bugaian L., Lozovanu C., 2006, Restructurarea
predominately large scale operators, while prin integrare în industria laptelui. Chişinău,
medium and small scale FBO are often left 2006
[2] Moody R., Kireeva I. and Butucel I., 2010,
out of these activities.
Agriculture and food law and policy
approximation to EU standards in the Republic of
CONCLUSIONS Moldova. IBF International Consulting.
[3] National Bureau of Statistics, 2010, Statistical
• The large scale food industry of the Yearbook of the Republic of Moldova
[4] Sirodoev I., 2009, Small and medium-sized
Republic of Moldova is characterized by enterprises in Republic of Moldova. In: Journal
underutilization of its production of Urban and Regional Analysis, vol. I, 1, 2009,
capacities and lack of investments. p.67-84
• Small and medium food business [5] Пoйсик М., 2008, Промышленность Молдовы:
operators offer an example of more вчера, сегодня, завтра. IEFS, Chisinau
efficient and flexible reaction to the
demand on the local and external markets.
• Small and medium food business
operators developed their businesses on
the basis of personal financial savings
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OPPORTUNITY FOR LAYING HENS MICRO-FARMS, TO ALLIGN
WITH STANDARDS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Alexandra MUSCĂNESCU 1
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Mărăşti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64,
Fax: + 40 311.020.717, E-mail: alexandramuscanescu@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: alexandramuscanescu@yahoo.com

Abstract

The poultry sector is a very important component in the Romanian economy, providing over 25,000 jobs in the
direct poultry activities and another 100,000 jobs in the related activities. Given that, however, since 2010, poultry
farmers no longer benefit from any form of support through state aid, it is considered imperative, to fully capitalize
egg production, to replace the traditional peasant household with micro-farms for laying hens. This paper aims to
highlight the advantages of micro-laying hens, compared to industrial poultry farms and subsistence Romanian
households, especially in the context that the establishment of such farms is one of the recommendations of EU
legislation.

Keywords: poultry sector, micro-farms, egg production, EU legislation.

INTRODUCTION order to identify the advantages of the

micro-farms for laying hens. To reach that
In Romania, according to the law, is goal, we have studied the following quality
expected the establishment of farm holdings indicators: production of eggs per year and
meant to gradually replace subsistence average price per year for 2008-2010. The
peasant farmers, agricultural products made information found in the paper is provided
by self-consumption. Analyzing the current by INS and EUROSTST, for the years 2008-
system of consumer commercial egg 2010. The comparison method was used to
production, it is indicated that egg highlight the evolution of each indicator
production in farms is maintained for mentioned above, from one year to another
hundreds of years in an outdated production [3].
process [1]. The establishment of
agricultural holdings has encouraged micro RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
and farms, which will gradually replace the
egg production of small farmers, whose Upon implementation of structural reforms
numbers and activity will gradually decrease in agriculture, to align with EU
over the next period. The criteria for requirements, in 2013, 7.42 billion eggs are
classification of poultry units, with the help expected to be produced, of which 4.595
of which the situation of laying hens billion (71.3%) in the industrial sector and
numbers and production data is presented, is only 38% in rural households; and in 2025,
the size of such establishments. approx. 8.21 billion eggs of which 68.2% in
the poultry industry [2].
MATERIAL AND METHODS ♦ The subsistence households (30 birds) are
the traditional peasant sectors, where small
In the present paper, we used a statistical quantities of eggs in seasonal periods are
method, specific to such analysis, namely produces, recording production peaks in the
the comparison method, by using indicators period in which the product price decreases
such as: traditional peasant households, (warm season), operating costs are reduced
micro-farms and industrial poultry farms, in
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and sometimes eggs are included in the
“bio” category (uncertified).

Average egg production (pieces / year) is

considered to have reached nearly 113.1
million in 2010, compared with 107.71 in
2009 and 103.5 million in 2008 (table 1)
Table 1. Evolution of egg production for 2008-2010
Photo 1 Example of traditional peasant household
♦The micro-farms are production Production
(thousand
Poultry production of
2010 in comparison to
capabilities with the average population of tons) 2008 2009 2010 2009
5,500 birds, which exclusively produce eggs
for sale; the costs are relatively low, mainly
Eggs (mil. 103,5 107,71 113,1 0,5%
due to lower overhead costs, reduced Pieces)
logistic requirements and a constant
production throughout the year with a Source: INS, 2010
controlled and certified quality (for organic From Table 1. one can notice a slight
farms). increase in average production of eggs by
0.5% from one year to another, anticipating
the coming years provide a continuous
increase in production of eggs/year.
The annual production of eggs (Fig. 1) is
considered to have reached almost 64,3
million in 2010, up from 55,6 million in
2009 and 49 million in 2008. This
production includes incubation eggs, which
represent 6-7% of total egg production.
Egg production dynamics/farm type between 2008-2010

300

Photo 2 Example of micro-farm

♦ Industrial poultry farms have large
250

200
production capacities (50,000 to 100,000
million eggs

peasant households
150 micro-farms
birds), producing eggs in the intensive industrial poultry farms

growth system (mainly batteries), with large 100

productions, constant throughout the year, 50

with high overhead costs and high logistical 0

2008 2009 2010

needs high; large cash flow requirements, Years

negative environmental influences. Fig. 1. Egg production dynamics/farm type for 2008-
2010
In Romania there are only 1.2 billion eggs
currently produced in industrial conditions,
which can be traded according to GD
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415/2004, namely to be sorted, labeled, results in loss, the egg being highly
packaged, stored at temperatures exceeding perishable and easily losing freshness.
14 ° C and properly marketed. Currently, from a total of 334,600 tons of
The approx. 5.5 billion eggs produced in Romanian eggs, appreciatively 87% are
small farms can not be marketed under the obtained in farms with more than 10,000
GD 415/2004 and fail any of the conditions birds and 13% come from households with
set by EU regulations. less than 25 birds. In the case of farms wit
Therefore, after some of these eggs are used less than 25 layer hens, production is mostly
for incubation and removal of chicks, the for own consumption [5].
rest is self-consumption or occasionally The micro-farm aims to achieve finished
offered to urban relatives and acquaintances products which can be delivered directly to
of farmers. market without including intermediaries in
Medium price/year between 2008-2010 the producer-market relationship. Basically,
0,9 the micro-farm can deliver fresh, dietary
0,8 eggs on the market, one day's production
0,7
being able to reach the market the following
0,6

0,5
peasant
households
day. The egg production targets consumers
Price

micro-farms
0,4
industrial poultry
in the nearest urban center, including self-
0,3
farms
service supermarkets, which contributes to
0,2

0,1
supplying the population with a recognized
0
value.
2008 2009 2010
Years

CONCLUSIONS
Fig. 2 Dynamics of average annual price
Figure 2 shows an increase of 17.7% of the
►The establishment of poultry farms is not
average annual price/egg from 2008 to 2010.
only in the interest of new poultry producers
The industry is currently producing only 1.2
in Romania, but - especially - is of national
billion, with the prospect that the number of
interest. Lack of domestic eggs will
eggs will fall in the future. It is therefore
normally result in massive increase in
natural that the average price of eggs to
demand over supply, excessive rise in the
remain at the current (about 0.9 lei).
price of eggs and export interests of
These data confirm the potential of the
countries with surplus eggs to the Romanian
Romanian market eggs to support growth to
market. This is unacceptable, seeing as
double the current domestic industrial
Romania is a strongly grain-based country,
production, putting into operation poultry
with pedo-climatic conditions favorable for
farms which apply intensive-industrial
bird breeding, and a rich experience in
growth systems, being now and in the next
production of eggs for consumption, which
period, appropriate and promising.
is practically the easiest, most accessible
Many counties do not produce eggs or
poultry activity. It is one of the reasons why
produce them in very small quantities. Only
the decisive authorities in Romania
the following counties produce significant
particularly encourage the establishment of
quantities of eggs: Bacău, Bihor, Braşov,
farms specialized in production of eggs for
Brăila, Caraş Severin, Cluj, Constanţa,
consumption.
Dâmboviţa, Galaţi, Giurgiu, Hunedoara,
►Suppose, however, small farmers will
Ialomiţa, Iaşi, Maramureş, Satu Mare, Sibiu,
continue to produce eggs for own
Vaslui and Vâlcea, a total of 18 counties.
consumption and the urban population –
The remaining 24 counties do not produce
presently in the number of 11.9 million, but
eggs in an industrial system, being
which will gradually increase – will only be
condemned to under-consumption or
supplied from the present industrial
transport from other counties, an operation
producers, which will add to poultry farms
which raises the price of the product and
manufacturers.
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►The current poultry producers are likely to
cut production by half next year, following
the ban on present layer hens breeding
battery system, namely reach appreciatively
600 million eggs, which would only insure
50 eggs per urban inhabitant, compared to
250 eggs as are required for efficient
feeding. Perhaps several establishments for
layer hens will be created or alternative
batteries, accepted by the EU in some of the
current poultry complexes will be
introduced, although these increases in
capacity will be insignificant in a period in
which poultry industry can only offer 20%
of egg production to the population.
►Because today the European Union
provides funds for many types of
agricultural business and rural business
development, many entrepreneurs have
learned that the use of modern technologies
lead to increased productivity even in
conditions of limited space.
►Thus, a “free range” micro-farm bring
higher profits than the traditional chicken
farms, because such a farm obtains a high
productivity, and a higher price for eggs,
than those from hens kept in the battery
system.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research work was carried out with the

support of the POSDRU/107/1.5/S/76888

REFERENCES

[1] www.smartfinancial.ro
[2] Elena Popescu-Micloşanu, 2007, Bird breeding
for egg production, Printech Publishing House,
Bucharest, 25-36
[3] Agatha Popescu, 2010, Considerations on
Romania’s position in the European and world honey
trade, Scientific Papers, Series D, vol. LIII, 183-188
[4] Ioan Văcaru-Opriş, 2007, Poultry treaty, Ceres
Publishing House, Bucharest, 75-100
[5]http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explaine
d/index.php/Trends_in_consumer_prices

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PERSPECTIVES IN ROURAL TOURISM – THE GEOPARK IN BUZAU

COUNTY

Raluca NECULA 1, Diana NECULA 2

1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, 59 Marasti, sector 1,
011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232, Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail :
raluca_nec@yahoo.com
2
Research Institute for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Marasti, nr. 61, sector
1, cod 011464,Tel: + 40-21-318.16.86, Tel/Fax: + 40-21-318.16.86, Email:
anaiddiananec@yahoo.es

Corresponding author : raluca_nec@yahoo.com

Abstract

Creating Geopark " Buzău County" was initiated and is coordinated by the Council Buzau County. Geopark is a
tool to preserve, promote , exploit particular natural elements of the Buzau (mud volcanoes, salt from Meledic,
amber), cultural and historical heritage, to support social and economic development of municipalities.

Keywords : rural tourism, tourism, rural development.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

INTRODUCTION
The data are collected in the Buzau County
The Geopark is a territory that includes Council; Partners involved in implementing
elements of great geological interest, together development:County Authorities, local
with elements of ecological interest, authorities, ANTREC, tourism institutions
archaeological, historical and cultural.
A Geopark has well-defined limits, an area RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
large enough and a territorial development
strategy for the benefit of local communities, Strategic Objectives
whose existence is based on the exploitation 1. Increasing number of tourists visiting
of natural and cultural resources, the principle Buzau
of sustainable development. 2. Developing elements of national and
The Geopark settlements are areas that are European identity by highlighting all the
managed as community development models Local traditions
in harmony with the natural environment. Investments provided: signs, tourist
The Geopark will have its own management information centers, infrastructure
structure, in local and national partnerships, it improvements, five trails and off road
will provide natural and cultural heritage mountain biking in nature.
conservation and new methods of protection, Investment Amount: 951150 lei
education, cooperation for socio-economic Status: Project approved by the Buzau
development, improving living conditions in County (October 28, 2010), pending funding
rural areas and strengthening identity local. by ROP Priority axis 5 “Sustainable
Management of a Geopark is done in development and tourism" , Key areas of
accordance with the recommendations intervention5.3.
identified and UNESCO European Geopark Project completion time - 2015 [5][6]
Network and Charter.[1] Travel Segment – Ecotourism
Related Segments - cycling, riding, camping,
golf tourism.
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Geographical Orientation: establish their way of solving economic and

Buzau County Geopark is located in Region social development for the Buzau county.
2, south-east in the northern part of the county Members of the association are Buzau County
of Buzau.The proposed territory is located in Council and Local Councils of communes:
the curve of the Carpathians, the historical Beceni, Berka, Bisoca, Bozioru, Brăeşti,
crossroads connecting Wallachia, Căneşti, Chilii, Colti, Cozieni, Lopatari,
Transylvania and Moldova. Mânzăleşti, Odaile, Pârscov, Sarulesti,
Project name Key area of Value Period
Scorţoasa, Willow Valley, Vintilă Voda.[4]
intervention Also, by creating this association we hope to:
„Modernization Priority Axis 2 97,072,121.44 16.04.2010 - the creation and operation of the Buzau
of access to "Improvement of lei 05.07.2011
tourist areas with regional transport County Geopark as a tool for sustainable
demonstrated infrastructure ", development
potential of
Buzau county” - Protecting natural and cultural heritage of
"Rehabilitation Priority Axis 5 35,125,058.23 06.03.2010 the region Buzau County and develop a
of Buzau County "Sustainable lei 05.03.2013
Museum" development and management system for this heritage;
tourism" - supporting local traditional activities and
“Conservative Priority Axis 4 1,510,963.39 06.01.2010 local development of new products in line
and participatory "Implementation lei 06.11.2011
Mangement of of adequate with sustainable development;
PENTELEU management - tourism and cultural tourism development
ROSCI0190 site” systems for nature
protection” and creating a scientific tourist destinations in
“Conservative Priority Axis 4 1,316,497.53 06.01.2010 Buzau County;
and participatory "Implementation lei 06.11.2011
Mangement of of adequate - developing a partnership in education and
SIRIU management creating a framework for cooperation and
ROSCI0229 site” systems for nature
protection” association with structures in the country or
Table no 1. Project in implementation in Buzau county abroad to attract investors and promote action
Sursa: Buzau county council[5] on social, economic and cultural interests of
Geopark comprises, in part, municipalities Buzau County area.
Beceni, Berka, Bozioru, Bisoca, Brăeşti, To ensure management of geological, natural,
Chiliile, Cănesti, Colt, Cozieni, Lopatari, historical, cultural sites and for the natural
Mînzaleşti, Odaile, Pirscov, Pănătău, resources available, according to consumer
Scorţoasa, Sarulesti, Willow Valley, Vintilă demands of local populations, in the Geopark
Voda, totaling an area of 109 826 hectares and we can delineate areas with different regime
a population of 52.500 inhabitants.Geopark of protection, conservation and exploitation of
Land boundaries overlap lip administrative resources, as follows:
boundaries of communes. Follows the 1. strictly protected areas with conservation
southern limit of the administrative and protection status of scientific reserves;
boundaries of communes Panatau, Pirscov, 2. buffer zones, with a protective role of
Berka. Eastern boundary follows the strictly protected areas and activities that are
boundaries of communes Berka, Beceni, permitted limited use of the resources
Vintila Voda Sarulesti, V. Willow. available in accordance with the
Villages within the northern limit follows the authorizations given by the administration of
Willow Valley, Bisoca, Lopatari. the Geopark [2];
Western limit follows the limits of the Special Zone in Geopark:
communes Lopatari, Braesti, Colt, Panatau. Muddy Volcanoes–Paclele Mari si Paclele
Service description Mici;Amber from Colti; Salt; Plateau Meledic
It was founded Intercommunity Development Development Requirements
Association "Buzau County” , the purpose of 1. Acceptance of the structure of the newly
this association is to achieve projects of created UNESCO Geopark and European
regional or local interest to identify global Geopark Network Charter.
issues and for the local communities to
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Geopark is a concept launched and supported It is very practical for use within the
by UNESCO, in partnership with the administrative boundaries of communes
European Geopark Network. International Geopark;
recognition and acceptance by officials of a 3. Achieving a sustainable development
Geopark in these structures is in accordance strategy within the Geopark and a regulation
with regulations established by UNESCO and for the carrying out;
the Charter of the European Geopark 4. Establish a local partnership able to
Network.[3] apply the proposed strategy and to co-finance
Advantages of a UNESCO Geopark, a activities and management team. Management
member of international networks, are: team also plays the role of local development
-Supporting cooperation in the natural and agents.
cultural heritage preservation and 5. Approval documentation by local
development of geo-sciences; councils, council / county councils,
-Ensure the development of new types of environmental protection agency.
skills and create new jobs; 6. Notification letter to the UNESCO
-Partnerships in the education and public National Office
awareness; 7. Scientific opinion of the Romanian
-To develop and promote cultural tourism Academy
packages and geo-tourism; 8. Geopark declaration as protected area
-Creation of artistic objects and consumer by the Ministry of Environment
items inspired by geology, in -Admission to the European Network and
complementarity with other Geopark; Global Network (UNESCO).
Partnership-qualified for innovative projects 9. Create an operational structure of the
in nature conservation, education, socio- Geopark. Geopark will comply with the rules
economic development in rural areas. of operation of a Geopark as stipulated by
2. Identify the steps required for the legal regulations and has the following
establishment of a Geopark: structure:
Geopark is a tool to strengthen local identity a) Geopark Centre
and a sub-sustainable development of rural b) Special Enterprise Zone:
areas. Suitable for development in areas c) natural sites considered as special
where geo - diversity, biodiversity and protection areas.
cultural diversity, with no other resources are d) Enterprise routes are routes for walking and
threatened by development or loss of identity. visiting proposed. They have different lengths
In order to build and ensure the proper of between 1 and 3 to 4 days and include both
administration of a Geopark, in agreement natural and cultural sites. The routes will
with the European Geopark Network Charter include points of access, rest areas,
and the provisions of UNESCO, have taken restaurants, accommodation facilities,
the following steps: workshops of local craftsmen, information
a. Making a detailed documentation of natural points.
and cultural heritage, sites of interest for 10. Information Items - arranged in all
conservation, education and tourism, socio- municipalities and
economic institutions and organizations in the represented by the panels, and spaces for
area, sources of funding for activities information, guidance.
Geopark; 11. Elements of the structure and
b. The definition of territory and boundaries. functioning Geopark Management Unit:
Geopark must have clearly defined limits and - Advisory Council (AC) is composed of
be consistent with a relatively coherent representatives of local actors and has
territory in terms of natural, cultural and activities and support the implementation and
administrative; execution of the Geopark strategy
- Administration - from 5 to 7 people.
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- Operation of government funding will be 2. Economic Impact

made of local funds, own income, projects, - Creating a common market for agricultural
consultancy. products production and marketing of
- Management Plan - will include regulations traditional products;
on organization and operation of Geopark - Generating revenue direct, indirect and
status of protected sites, protection mode, induced in the area, which remain, mostly in
allowed activities, restrictions. the area;
- Scientific Board is to supervise the - Creating local brands of traditional products;
administration and to track - Development of tourism and related
the rules and laws of conservation of natural activities;
and cultural heritage. - Development of tourism infrastructure;
12. Creating a structure of information, - Creating an environment conducive to
training and promotion of local private attracting investment and capital;
initiatives: - Revitalizing traditional crafts.
-Structures to carry out actions to encourage / 3. Social impacts (including impacts on
support / training / consultancy for the employment)
initiation of private initiative; - Creation of new direct and indirect jobs;
-Wireless local-information and - Restoration and creation of logo identity
communication for local products but also Geopark Land area Buzau
concerning legislation, opportunities, product - Retraining
promotion; - Create a social framework and a motivation
-Local traditional market for tourism to stop migration and growth initiatives and
products; involvement in local development
- Establish a strategy for marketing / sale of - Creation of cultural centers and organize
local products; cultural activities and training;
- A Calendar of Events traditional for natural - Introducing the area in a circuit and
and cultural heritage conservation exchanges of information at national and
13. Developing an education and training international
system to support sustainable development
This system aims at training students and REFERENCES
adults to discover and use local resources.
[1] Andrasanu, A. 2005 – The Geopark – Framework
for research,education and training in sustainable
CONCLUSIONS
development, Second Conference on the Geoheritage
of Sebia, Proceedings, Belgrade, ISBN 502.1311.55, pp
1. The project will allow: 171 – 175;
-Existence of a consistent framework for local [2] Geological heritage conservation and regional
development programs in all municipalities development. Strategies for the South Eastern
through partnership with local government; European Contries, Workshop Guide , ArsDocendi,
ISBN9735581159, pp 23 – 32.
-Increase local revenues; [3] Macgregor, J., 2005 – Ecotourism marketing
-Increasing the area of identity and cohesion; strategy 2006 to 2010, Association of Ecotourism in
- Developing tourism through the influx of Romania, Zarnesti;
tourists; [4]Anuarul Statistic al Judetului Buzau Institutul
- Raising awareness and public involvement National de Statistica, Directia Judeteana de Statistica
Buzau, 2006;
in compliance and protect local natural and [5] http://www.cjbuzau.ro/
cultural heritage - identifying with the [6] http://www.apmbuzau.ro
heritage of the local population;
Development of local, national and
international partnerships;
- Increasing the number and support private
initiatives and proposals
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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY - REALITIES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE
CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Mihaela PÎRVULESCU1, Vergina CHIRIŢESCU2, Gheorghe SĂVOIU3

1
Bioterra University, 81, Gârlei st., 1st district, Bucharest, Postal code 013724, Romania,
Tel. / Fax. + 4.021.490.61.29, Mobile: + 4.0722.657.785, E-mail: mihael.pirvl@yahoo.com
2
Romanian Academy, Institute of Agricultural Economics, 13, Calea 13 Septembrie st.,
5th district, Bucharest, Postal code 050711, Romania, Tel. / Fax. + 4.021.318.24.11,
Mobile: + 4.0744.818.086, E-mail: v.chiritescu@yahoo.com
3
University of Piteşti, 1, Târgul din Vale st., Argeş county, Romania, Postal code 110040,
Tel. + 40 348.453.100, Mobile: + 4.0745.047.085, E-mail: gsavoiu@yahoo.com

Corresponding author : v.chiritescu@yahoo.com

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper was intended to be the identification and characterization of alternative energies. In
a generic sense, when we say, alternative energy, or renewable energy sources, we refer primarily to: wind, biomass
and solar energy. It also undertook an analysis of national potential of renewable energy sources and resources,
and prospects of this sector in context of sustainable development. In formulating this material are numerous studies
and documentation, both in specialized work, and from press articles, sites and information specialized institutions
of the state. According to information from the "Energy Strategy of Romania, the national potential of renewable
energy sources comprises: solar, wind, hydro power, biomass and biogas, geothermal energy. Although our country
has the greatest potential in the south - east Europe in wind energy, development renewable energy sector is
threatened and hampered by poor infrastructure, lack of financial resources and inconsistency framework. In the
world as governments strive to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to offset carbon emissions, wind farms
increasingly gaining ground. Wind energy resource appears to be "ideal" is free and plentiful almost everywhere.
Researchers at Harvard University say that the resource potential is huge because "even the most industrialized
countries in the world can cover the entire electricity requirement by harnessing wind strictly".

Keywords: alternative energy, sources renewable, sustainable development.

INTRODUCTION Council discussed ways in which can be

stimulated so that the innovative potential of
European Council composed of heads of Europe to face the most pressing issues facing
government of the 27 EU member states, met society. According to a study published earlier
recently in Brussels and led by the Hungarian this week, the countries of the region are
Presidency in office, the representatives they behind the EU 27 in terms of "innovation
discussed two issues important to the performance". The results confirm the study
European Union: energy and innovation. The by GE and resulted in global innovation
European Commission has established that the Barometer, released a week at Davos
energy and innovation are two of the main (Switzerland), according to which Germany
priorities in its strategy UE 2020. Discussion and Sweden are among the world leaders in
about energy policies focused on this resource innovation, including energy, along with U.S.,
and how European policies can most Japan and China. [4]
effectively support the transition to a low Sustainable development captures the
carbon economy and greater security of economic transition from a systemic way to
energy supply, including through a more lower high, but the last half century, have
integrated energy market and interconnected. identified numerous meanings and
This topic has great importance for the reinterpretations of the concept, starting with
Central European region, striving to expand the redefinition of development and welfare,
and develop infrastructure. [4] protect the environment. Lester R. Brown [1]
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became the promoter of a series of studies on are very simple: energy recovery technology
the progress made towards structuring a involves installing a wind turbine atop a tall
sustainable society, suggestively entitled Vital tower (for direct access to drafts, without
Signs state of the world or to identify the interference from buildings or other
conflict between industrial civilization and the obstructions from the ground), taking energy
environment, based on two main issues: the wind and transform it into electricity using a
tendency of depletion natural energy converter. Simple, but expensive!
resources, raw materials and food, or This technology is not at all cheap, its cost
consumption of energies in a higher rate than varies between 1.3 and 1.5 million per
their regeneration capacity and more rapid megawatt installed. It takes into account the
physical deterioration and the increasing cost of land, equipment, and transporting such
pollution of the environment: water, air, soil. equipment on the future of the site. Tall
In this context, in just two decades, the towers and long bladed propellers are difficult
importance of delimiting the concept of to carry, sometimes the cost of this operation
sustainable development through is 20% that of the equipment itself. A wind
environmental protection allocated to a thus requires a major investment of tens /
sustainable society (viable, sustainable) being hundreds of millions of euros. It is a long term
that shape their economic and social system investment for 10-12 years, which is of course
so that natural resources and life support a disadvantage.
systems are maintained on an axis where the
environment is always regarded as an MATERIAL AND METHODS
integrated system bringing together the wealth
and income distribution within society and the In a generic sense, when we say, alternative
influence of economic change on lifestyle, energy, or renewable energy sources, we refer
thinking and behavior of people and resource primarily to: wind, biomass and solar energy.
efficiency and mechanisms of economic In formulating this material are numerous
system so as to meet the needs of present studies and documentation, both in
without compromising the similar capability specialized work, and from press articles,
for needs of future generations ("Our profile sites and official information of state
Common Future, Brundtland Report, 1987). institutions, especially the Ministry of
According to information from the “Energy Economy. The data presented are drawn
Strategy of Romania” [8], the national primarily from the "Energy Strategy of
potential of renewable energy sources Romania for the period 2007-2020. [8]
comprises: solar, wind, hydro power, biomass To reflect the national potential of renewable
and biogas, geothermal energy. Although our energy sources and resources of Romania
country has the greatest potential in the South were used in a number of indicators such as:
- Eastern Europe in wind energy development wind potential expressed in megawatts of
renewable energy sector is threatened and installed capacity, the amount of electricity
hampered by poor infrastructure, lack of produced from hydro (TWh), the quantity of
financial resources and inconsistency heat (PJ) obtained biomass, biogas and
framework. In the world as governments geothermal energy, etc.
strive to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to
offset carbon emissions, wind farms RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
increasingly gaining ground.
Wind energy resource appears to be "ideal" is In an economy increasingly globalized
free and plentiful almost everywhere. country's energy strategy is done in the
Researchers at Harvard University say that the context of developments and changes taking
resource potential is huge because "even the place worldwide. Total energy demand in
most industrialized countries in the world can 2030 will be around 50% higher than in 2003
cover the entire electricity requirement by and oil will be around 46% higher. Certain
harnessing wind strictly". In principle, things known oil reserves could sustain current
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levels of consumption, by 2040, while natural regarding the potential development of wind
gas until 2070, while world coal reserves farms.
provide for over 200 years, even an increase Our country's wind potential is estimated at
operation. [X] Economic growth forecasts, 14,000 megawatts installed capacity at an
which will imply a greater consumption of annual consumption of 23 TWh.
energy resources. In terms of primary energy The table below can be seen on the national
consumption structure in the world, evolution potential of renewable energy.
and prognosis of the reference made by the
International Energy Agency (IEA) for the Table 2. Romania's renewable potential
next decade show a faster increase of the Annual
Source Aplication
share of renewables energy sources and potential
60 PJ Heat
natural gas. Solar Energy
1,2 TWh Electricity
At Community level, it was established that Wind Energy 23 TWh Electricity
by 2010, a 21% electricity in EU Member Hydropower, 36 TWh Electricity
States come from renewable energy sources. which
3,6 TWh Electricity
This target has been provided by the below 10 MW
Directive. 2001/77/EC on the promotion of Biomass and
318 PJ Heat
electricity produced from renewable energy biogas
Geothermal
sources, which establishes differentiated Energy
7 PJ Heat
national targets. Given current policies and
efforts made, is expected to reach a share of SOURCE: Energy Strategy of Romania for the period 2007 – 2020
19% by 2010. In this context, the EU, in all
In Romania, in late 2009 only 14 MW were
likelihood, has reached renewable energy
installed, but in 2010 there has been a real
targets set for 2010.
boom, leading to 457 MW, according to Wind
Italy, United Kingdom, France has exceeded
Energy Producers Association (APEER). Our
the threshold of 4,000 MW, much of the latter
country has thus ranked 22 in top 30 most
comes Portugal, and Denmark has already
attractive countries for investors in green
achieved the target set by the European Union
energy.
member states: that by 2020 one fifth of
Wind potential is excellent, about 23,000 MW
energy needs come from renewable sources.
per year (this capaciate is even higher than the
Table 1. Renewable energy resource potential in the total installed capacity of Romania, which
European Union currently amounts to 18,000 MW). From this
Source
Electricity point of view, Romania is the second in
TWh/an Europe after Germany, but investors are
Wind Energy 80.0 confronted with various obstacles: lack of
Hydropower, 355.0 training at national level maps of wind speed
- high power 300.0 and direction, non-existent or underdeveloped
- low power infrastructure in some areas with good
55.0
Photovoltaic Energy 3.0 potential, roads hardly supports transport of
Biomass 230.0 oversized high capacity turbines.
Geothermal Energy 7.0 Then there is the issue of legislation: we have
TOTAL 675.0 a law to promote renewable energy since 2008
SOURCE: Energy Strategy of Romania for the period 2007 – 2020
(Law 220/2008, amended by Law 139/2010),
but is not applied because the Commission
Romania has the highest potential in the has not received the notice. According to this
south - eastern Europe in wind energy, as law, producers of energy from such sources
Erste said in a report quoted by Mediafax. [2] that receive green certificates traded on a
The same report, it appears that south-eastern specialized market, independent power
Dobrogea year ranks second in Europe production, at a price between 27 and 55 per
certificate. For example, a delivery system
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MWh of wind energy, green growers will Photo 1. Renewable resource potential map of Romania
receive two certificates, one from as far
received under a government decision in
2004.
Despite these setbacks, the first national, a
Romanian city will abandon the classical in
favor of electricity sources. In 2012, the spa
and climatic Slănic Moldova, Bacău County
will become the first city of Romania's energy
independent. The initiative took the form of a
pilot project called "Green Carpathians -
2012" which seeks to achieve 30 million euros
investment in renewable energy. "The main
objective of this partnership is to achieve
energy independence for Slănic Moldova by
the end of 2012", said for Agerpres, Mayor
Adrian Şerban. The first step to achieving this
goal has resulted in the signing of an
implementation agreement between the
municipalities in the German city Reuth,
Saxony and Slănic Moldova. "From what I SOURCE: Ministry of Economy and Finance Energy
know is the fastest sign of cooperation Strategy of Romania for the period 2007 – 2020
between officials of two countries in
renewable energy, so that thanks to the Legend:
I. Delta Dunării - Danube Delta (solar energy);
interest shown by officials Slănic Moldova, II. Dobrogea (solar and wind energy);
people very open to promoting a new, III. Moldova (plains and plateaus - micro hydro, wind
environmental and business concerns in and biomass energy);
Saxony promotion of renewable energies, IV. Munţii Carpaţi - Carpathian Mountains (IV1 -
where our city is already a special Eastern Carpathians, IV2 - South Carpathians, IV3 -
Western Carpathians (biomass, micro hydro);
experience", said Ulrich Lupart, Mayor Reuth. V. Plateau of Transylvania (micro hydro);
According to the latest assessment (2007), VI. Câmpia de Vest - Western Plain (geothermal
Romania landscaped technical hydropower energy);
potential is 36,000 GWh / year of which VII. Subcarpaţii - Subcarpathians (VII1 –
related to the current market price of energy Subcarpathians Getici; VII2 – Subcarpathians Curburii,
VII3 - Subcarpathians Moldova: biomass, micro
can build in terms of economic efficiency, hydro);
about 30,000 GWh / year (economic potential VIII. Câmpia de Sud - Southern Plain (biomass,
arrange). [8] Currently, the hydropower geothermal and solar energy).
potential leverage is 48% technical arrange
and arrange the economic potential is 57.8%. With the exception of large hydropower
If we map the distribution potential of plants, the cost of producing electricity using
renewable resources in Romania, noted that renewable units are now higher than those
renewable energy sources are located in: Delta associated with fossil fuels. Promote the use
(solar energy), Dobrogea (solar and wind of these sources and to attract investment in
energy), Moldova (hydropower, wind and energy facilities that use renewable sources is
biomass energy), Carpathians (biomass and achieved by supporting mechanisms, in
hydropower), Plateau of Transilvania accordance with European practice.
(hydropower), the Western Plain (geothermal Energy is used both in economy and in the
energy), the Subcarpatians (biomass and home. Virtually every human activity using
hydropower) and the Southern Plain (biomass, energy in various forms. Energy resources
geothermal and solar). are vital to human society today!

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In Romania, energy production relies mainly of growth of the country's energy security,
on coal, as shown in Table 3. Oil is used in sustainable development and ensuring an
the petrochemical industry as feedstock for adequate level of competitiveness.
various derivatives and to obtain fuel. 2. Romania is very poor in Chapter efficient
use of energy, energy intensity (energy
Table 3. Market structure in 2008, in Romania (%) consumption to produce one unit of GDP) is
three times higher than in the EU. One is the
Hydro Nuclear Wind
Coal Hydrocarbons competitiveness of the strategic goals
power energy energy
43.00 25.98 17.00 14.00 0.02 involving the development of competitive
SOURCE: www.transelectrica.ro markets for electricity, natural gas, oil, green
certificates, emission allowances of
Most commonly used form of energy is greenhouse gas and energy services.
electricity, all other forms of energy being 3. In terms of legislative and institutional
used in different proportions for conversion framework, it points to its improvement in
into electricity, which in turn can be easily accordance with relevant Community
transformed into other forms of energy legislation, currently being applicable laws of
(mechanical, heat, light, etc.). electricity, gas, mining, oil, nuclear activities,
But oil is a form of fossil fuels which is use energy efficient, harmonized with EU
mostly used for transport. In the U.S., oil is legislation.
the dominant resource and technology used in
transport with 71% providing 95% of its fuel 4. Romania has opted for the model of
needs, 23% in industry and ensuring the decentralized electricity market in which
necessary 42%, resulting in a high participants are free to conclude the sales
dependency of the U.S. economy in relation transaction - buying the electricity market is
this limited resource. structured in: wholesale and retail market. It
One of the priorities of Romania's energy should be noted that the state has retained
strategy is to improve energy efficiency. control over the main pack power generation
Increasing energy efficiency is a major units, totaling an installed capacity sufficient
contribution to achieving security of supply, to ensure energy security of the country.
sustainability and competitiveness. Reducing 5. Although Romania is quoted with great
energy demand through energy efficiency is a potential for exploitation of renewable energy,
winning policy, which, in addition to saving one of the reasons that hindered the
primary energy resources, lead to reducing development of this sector was uncertain legal
greenhouse emissions. framework that will provide facilities for
Representative synthetic indicator of the investors. However, the Czech company CEZ
effectiveness of national energy use is energy has placed into service a part of the wind farm
intensity, that energy to produce one unit of that it develops in Dobrogea, with an initial
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). capacity of 350 MW. Other global players in
Discovering and using new energy resources the field, such as Iberdrola Renewables,
has remained a natural concern in the world, Martifer or Enel announced their intention to
on the one hand due to the rapid depletion of develop wind farms in Romania. The
fossil fuel reserves and secondly because of company also plans to Romanian Electrical
the energy dependence of those states that energy production from wind and biomass,
have fuel reserves. and aims Hidroelectrica new wind turbine
location. [3]
6. Regarding sustainable development, it
CONCLUSIONS
should be noted that, in 2007, was the energy
sector at EU level, one of the leading
1. The overall objective of Romania's energy producers of greenhouse gases. If not taking
strategy is to fully cover the domestic drastic action at EU level, the rate of energy
consumption of electricity and heat in terms consumption and development of existing
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technologies in 2007, emissions of act promptly, especially in energy efficiency
greenhouse gases in the EU will increase by and renewable energy.
about 5% and globally by about 55 % by 9. Atomic energy already constitutes 17% of
2030. [8] Nuclear energy in Europe is total electricity worldwide. In 1996 a report
currently one of the largest sources of energy found that there were 437 reactors in 31
without emitting CO2. Nuclear power in 2007 countries. They cover domestic consumption
ensured a third of EU electricity production, of energy in Lithuania 87%, 78% in France,
thus having a real contribution to sustainable 58% in Belgium and 53% in Sweden. In U.S.,
development. there are 32 companies licensed and
7. When we talk about sustainability in authorized to work with nuclear reactors, and
energy, we must refer to: statistics show that in four major U.S. regions,
• improve energy efficiency; nuclear energy provides more than 50% of
• promote energy production on electricity consumption: Vermont (79.7%),
renewable resources; Connecticut (51.2%), South Carolina (50.9%),
• supporting the research - development New Jersey (50.4% ). Nuclear plants also
and dissemination of research findings have disadvantages, such as the fact that they
applicable; need 10 years to be built, construction costs
and energy production, although varying from
• reducing the negative impact of energy
one country to another are very high, and
on the environment;
produce a series of radioactive waste
• promoting energy production based on
extremely harmful to the environment and for
renewable resources, such as
people with major problems of storage.
electricity consumption derived from
Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986
renewable energy resources represent
questioned the safety of nuclear power
33% of gross domestic electricity
generation industry, causing mass protests
consumption of 2010, 35% in 2015
that led to the closure of such plants. In
and 38% in 2020;
anticipation of such an exceptionally serious
• stimulating investments in improving incident in Sweden since 1980 conducted a
energy efficiency throughout the referendum to decide the total renunciation of
chain: resources - production - nuclear energy by 2010.
transmission - distribution – 10. Actions to promote energy efficiency and
consumption; renewable energy sources will contribute both
• promoting the use of liquid bio-fuels, to reducing negative environmental impacts,
biogas and geothermal energy; and increase energy security, reducing
• reducing the negative impact of energy dependence on energy imports to Romania.
on the environment by using clean 11. Discovering and using new energy
technologies. resources has remained a natural concern in
• promoting the production of electricity the world, on the one hand due to the rapid
and heat cogeneration plant, especially depletion of fossil fuel reserves and secondly
in highly efficient cogeneration plants; because of the energy dependence of those
• rational and efficient use of primary states that have fuel reserves.
energy resources.
8. Reducing negative effects of energy
production process on climate requires REFERENCES
practical and sustained action. In this context,
Romania has supported and coherent action to [1] Brown L. R., 2006, Plan B2.0: Rescuing a planet
align with European actions to promote the under stress and a civilization in trouble - Planul B 2.0
Salvarea unei planete sub presiune şi a unei civilizaţii
Lisbon objectives. In order to limit the în impas, Editura Tehnică, Bucureşti.
expected global temperature increase, ie the [2] Catană M. Francisca, 2009, Legislaţia, un risc
emission of greenhouse gases, Romania must pentru energia eoliană, Cotidianul Adevărul, Bucureşti,
6. februarie. 2009, p. 38.

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[3] Cioacă Florentina, 2009, Cum aplicăm noua lege a
energiei regenerabile, Cotidianul Adevărul, Bucureşti,
6. februarie. 2009, p. 44.
[4] Colteanu C., Inovaţia poate aduce un alt fel de
prosepritate în Europa, articol publicat pe
www.wall-street.ro, 17.martie.2011.
[5] Ghereş M., Săvoiu G., 2010, Economia mediului.
Tratat, Editura Universitară, Bucureşti.
[6] Săvoiu G., 2010, Gândirea statistică aplicată, Editura
Universitară, Bucureşti.
[7] x x x – Institutul Naţional de Statistică, Anuarul
statistic al României, 1990 - 2008.
[8] x x x – Ministerul Economiei şi Finanţelor, 2007,
Strategia energetică a României pentru perioada 2007
- 2020, Varianta 4.septembrie.2007, aprobată prin
H.G. nr. 1069 / 2007.
[9] Web sites:
- www.enero.ro;
- www.oecd.org;
- www.ecomagazin.ro;
- www.realitatea.net;
- www.siteresources.worldbank.org;
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SOCIO-ECONOMICAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE ROMANIAN RURAL
COMMUNITIES IN THE HILLY AREA OF VRANCEA COUNTY
Andreea Daniela PASCU 1
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail : pascu7884@yahoo.com

Corresponding author :pascu7884@yahoo.com

Abstract

The paper presents the situation of the rural communities in the hill area of Vrancea county. The methodology used
to establish the development level and the assessment of the opportunity and restrictive items set of the diversified
development in the rural community in the hill area, is the specific one for socio-economy. The research units were
the following: rural parish and house hold. For a more precise assessment data were collected about a number as
high as possible of noticed facts. Due to the many requirements involved by the current study, the following
research instruments were used: parish sheet, and questionnaire for rural house holds. Data analysis was done on
four levels: demographic dimension, educational dimension, activity dimension, activity mobility. The analyzed
parishes Tamboişti, Popeşti şi Urecheşti have the specific traits of the periurban rural parishes. As a conclusion the
periurban parishes benefit from the closeness to the city through the economic opportunities that the town offers, by
being opened to innovation and population mobility.

Keywords : Romanian rural communities, periurban hill area, rural house hols, Vrancea county

INTRODUCTION the paper proceeds to assess their resources

and local issues, the criteria used are:
This paper presents the current socio- demographic, economic, social and
economic status of rural areas[2], it is the sociological, thus determining general and
starting point of research that aims to set out specific objectives of development . The
the: ways to modernize and diversify methodology used to determine the level of
agricultural activities[1] and the know-how development and evaluation of the set of
developing non-agricultural sector[3], this can opportunities and restrictive elements of a
increase awareness and occupational diversified development of rural communities
diversification income-generating in the hilly area, is the specific to Socio-
opportunities activities with varying degrees economy. Due to the multiple requirements
of risk (some examples of non-agricultural posed by this study we used the following
activities: agricultural products processing, research tools: parish sheet (and interview
development of small business, the nature of technique was working, it was done in one
pension income, interest and dividends, and day for each community and respondents
income derived from activities conducted in were members of local government ) and the
temporary urban areas) . Finding durable questionnaire for rural households (the size of
solutions for the use of such research, each community sample amounted to 25
promotion of appropriate mechanisms households). The period considered in this
necessary to integrate research results in paper is 2006-2010. Municipalities examined:
effective rural policies are imperative for Tamboişti, Popeşti and Urecheşti, features
sustainable socioeconomic development[5]. suburban rural communes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

In order to present the current state of peri- Qualitative study investigated rural
urban rural communities from the hilly area, communities - parish sheet
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Tâmboişti commune consists of four villages, Popesti commune is composed of a number of
Tâmboişti, commune residence, Slimnic, two villages: Popeşti, commune residence,
Padureni and Trestieni. and Tercheşti. The nearest town is Focsani, at
15 km.

Graphic 1. Structure of land use (hectares)

3755 people of Romanian nationality lived in Graphic 2. Structure of land use (ha)
the village in 2008. [4] Migration in the last
three years has not affected the number of In 2008 population size was of 3380
people in the commune. Tâmboieşti village is inhabitants[4], of which 30% were older than
fully electrified. There is no gas supply and 60 years. Common Migration in the last 3
sanitation. Sanitation is granted. In the village years was reduced. Technical and
there are almost 1,100 TV subscription and management infrastructure is poor. There is
1500 radio subscriptions. Educational no gas supply and water supply system or
infrastructure consists of two kindergartens, sewage system. The village is fully electrified.
three middle schools and two primary schools Infrastructure designed to support the
with 28 teachers, all university graduates. educational process is relatively well
Religious infrastructure is well represented by developed. There are three kindergartens with
five churches of different 90 seats. The educational process is ensured
denominations. by a total of 22 teachers. There are there
around 1320 radio and television
subscriptions in this commune which means
that over 98% of households are connected to
these sources. There aren't post offices, but
the postman arrive daily in each village.
Health services are provided by a clinic, a
dentist and a pharmacy. The entire population
of the surrounding village is decerved by a
physician who is assisted by four nurses. The
Photo 1. View from Tȃmboieşti commune religious infrastructure is represented by a
Table 1 . Key problems in the perception of the
total of four churches of orthodox religion.
authorities from Tâmboieşti There is a commune cultural center used for
Problem No
problem
There is a very
easy problem
Easy
problem
Serious
problem
Very serious
problem both sessions and meetings and cultural
Roads
Drinking X
X
activities. There in also a library in Popeşti.
water
Isolation X
Air Pollution X Located in Vrancea County, about 20 km
from the nearest town Focsani Urecheşti
Water X
Pollution
Soil Pollution X
Periodic
Flooding
X commune is composed of a single village:
Medical
Services
X
Urecheşti.
Education X
Services
Electrification X
Public Lighting X
Ethnic conflicts X
Land Conflicts X

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Table 2. Key issues in the perception of the authorities household in the village Tamboieşti, 3.12 and
from Popeşti 3.32 in the village Urecheşti and Popeşti.
Problem No problem There is a Easy Serious Very
very easy problem problem serious
problem problem
Roads X
Drinking water X
Table 3. Key issues in the perception of the village
Isolation
Air Pollution
X
X
authorities from Urecheşti
Water Pollution X
Soil Pollution X Problem No There is a very Easy Serious Very serious
Periodic Flooding X problem easy problem problem problem problem
Medical Services X Roads X
Education Services X Drinking water X
Electrification X Isolation
Public Lighting X Air Pollution X
Ethnic conflicts X Water Pollution X
Land Conflicts x Soil Pollution X
Periodic X
Flooding
Medical X
Services
Education X
Services
Electrification X
Public Lighting X
Ethnic X
conflicts
Land Conflicts x

Table 4. Average age of household members studied

Source: Calculations after own database
The commune The average age

Tâmboieşti 48.4
Graphic 3. Structure of land use (ha) Popeşti 37.1

Urecheşti 37.1
Economic diversification is at an early stage Avrage 40.7
the main occupation is viticulture and
agricultural products processing. About 10
An important predictor of openness to
department supply the population. 2761
occupational diversification of rural
people lived in the village in a number of
communities is knowing the people age, a
1019 households in 2008. Of these 4% are
younger population has a higher degree of
gypsies[4].
openness to innovation, greater occupational
Urecheşti village is fully electrified. There is mobility and greater openness toward
running water that serves 670 households, retraining. Average age of household
there is no sewerage system. In the village members in the sample is 40.7 years.
almost 90% of households have radio and TV
subscriptions. Infrastructure is represented by
a subsidiary of CecBank and the Credit
Cooperative. Educational infrastructure
comprises two kindergartens, two middle
schools and one secondary school. Teachers
are in a number of 20, 16 with high education.
Two trained medical doctors and a nurse
provide medical care in this commune. There
are a dentist and a pharmacy. Five Orthodox Graphic 4. Structure of households after the number of
persons
churches and a Adventist house of worship
Source: Calculations after own database
belong to religious infrastructure .
Quantitative study of rural households
investigated population-size. The greater the number of people living in the
same household, the higher the pressure on
The average household size for the sample is available land resources because they must
composed of settlements of 3.4 persons per ensure the minimum of subsistence for many
people.
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-The Educational Dimension
On average, Popesti residents graduated the
largest number of school years - 11.07, they
are followed by those of Tȃmboieşti 10.54,
below the average number of years of school
graduation in the sample population, is
commune Urecheşti the aforementioned
indicator value is 8.28 years of school for the
average person. This can be explained by the
higher proportion of those without school.

Graphic 6. The structure of the sample population after

the the main activity
Source: Calculations after own database

Analysis of occupational diversification

within each commune allows to classify them
Graphic 5. Population structure of the sample after the
the last grade of education according to importance of the main
Source: Calculations after own database economic sectors in employment- active
population occupational structure dominated
by the primary sector - agriculture -
Employment-Size (Tamboieşti, Popesti and Urecheşti).
The percentage of employment in the sample
-Occupational mobility is a good predictor of
is 52.36% which means that the economic
economic diversification and, especially, the
dependency ratio (- number of unemployed
chances of multiplication of sources of
and inactive people to return to a busy person,
income in the household. In the whole sample
amounts to 0.94%).
the share of employees involved in
Depending on the economic dependency ratio
international migration is double compared to
we can group the communes in three
the number of working people involved in
categories:
internal migration.
1.Communes with a favorable economic
dependency ratios (under 1) - Popeşti - 0.62,
Tȃmboieşti - 0.96, whereas a employed
person must sustain, by economic activity,
less than an inactive person.
2.Communes with a weak economic
dependency ratios (between 1 and 1.4), 1.24
Urecheşti.
3.Communes with unfavorable economic
dependency ratios (over 1.4)

Graphic 7. The share of households with members who

left for a job
Source: Calculations after own database

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A high occupational mobility is a sign of
greater openness to understanding and
acceptance of new ideas and practices in
professional life. Municipalities have a low
occupational mobility Tamboieşti -12.74% -
Popeşti - 11.53% Urecheşti-14-45%.

Land-size

Graphic 10. The areas chosen by respondents who

would be willing to engage
Source: Calculations after own database

CONCLUSIONS

1.A higher proportion of households located

in these municipalities is a subject to risks
such as the inability to renew the working
force in the future and to have a lower degree
of tolerance and openness to innovation due to
Graphic 8. Structure of agricultural land lack of young working population quotas .
Source: Calculations after own database The relationship between positioning and size
to the average urban household in the county
The study covers a total of 80 households, of Vrancea is related to the possibility of
divided into 3 commune and 1 district, with a material support of family (land ownership,
total land area of 252.85 ha property. employment in the village) and education (as
- Information Strategy in a number of members of families with
higher education is at a lower level).
2. In generally hilly suburban populations
have a lower instructional level and they do
not recover the position rent comparing to
urban centers that would allow easier access
to higher education infrastructure. Peri-urban
populations in hilly villages do not seem to
value education more as an opportunity to
obtain a better paid job that requires a longer
training.
Populations of villages with higher
educational levels may have a better chance of
accessing the labor market and a greater
ability to quickly internalize new knowledge,
even order something more technical and
Graphic 9. The most common sources of local specialization. Specialization in agriculture is
information, the first three options. extremely low.
Source: Calculations after own database 3. In suburban commune level, it was found
that agricultural activities decrease in
-Aspirational Universe importance in proportion to proximity to
urban areas (by decreasing agricultural land
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area, number of animals visible through a [3] Zahiu Letitia şi colab- Agricultura Uniunii
process of land lease). Europene sub impactul Politicii Agricole Comune, Ed.
Ceres, Bucuresti, 2006
4. Most of the households owners that were
[4] *** Anuarul Statistic al României, INS, 2005
studied are seniors, they lease their land and
[5] *** Dezvoltarea rurală în România. Carta Verde,
they live with their children and their families.
1998. Ministerul Agriculturii şi Alimentaţiei, PHARE
5. Most of those who take or give land on RO 9505-04-03, Bucureşti
lease in suburban municipalities do not work
on a contract basis, except in municipalities
where there are associations in this respect,
lease contracts frequency is higher in
suburban municipalities.
6. Occupancy of the active population is
lower in suburban municipalities. In general,
in the hilly areas, the economic dependence of
the population is more pronounced in
suburban municipalities, the number of
unemployed and inactive persons who must
contribute to support each person employed is
higher
7. Respondents from villages in the hilly
region are willing to employ if they were
offered this opportunity. Most of the
respondents in suburban communes aim, in
case that they would employ, fields in the
agricultural sector as a main sector. But they
aren’t limited to processing agricultural
products, but in an almost equal proportion
they would be willing to work in other areas.
There is a significant openness for
employment opportunities not related to the
exploitation of rural resources, over 33% of
respondents intending to engage in other
activities

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research work was supported by

University of Agricultural Sciences and
Veterinary Medicine Bucharest. Also we
thank the city hall of municipalities
Tamboieşti, Urecheşti, Popesti and all those
who have responded positively to the steps
needed to carry out this work.

REFERENCES

[1] Dona Ion – Politici agricole, Editura Semne,

Bucureşti, 2000.
[2] Drăghici Manea şi col. – Spaţiul rural. Definire.
Organizare. Dezvoltare – Editura Mirton, 2003.

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DRAFTING OF THE SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR SIRIU
MICROREGION
Andreea Daniela PASCU 1
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail :pascu7884@yahoo.com

Corresponding author :pascu7884 @yahoo.com

Abstract

The paper presents Siriu area, rural community in the mountain area of Buzău county,from a durable
socioeconomic development. A series of procedures, instruments and techniques were used that allowed a more
exact cognition of the rural phenomena and processes, among which: commune sheet and focus-group. The
development strategy of Siriu parish for 2007 – 2013 follows a durable development by valuing the local potential
in accordance with the general objective of the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The main objectives of the
durable development of Siriu parish are: parish basic infrastructure development; environmental protection; social
cohesion increasing and poverty reduction; tourism development and advertising and rural rebirth. As a conclusion
the rural development depends on all the actors of the rural development and Siriu area is one of the communities
that understood the basic principles for rural socioeconomic development and that uses these both in the on going
projects and in the ones in draft state.

Keywords : rural community, sustainable socioeconomic development, local potential, Siriu area

INTRODUCTION
The paper emphasizes the important role rural
communities play in: producing food and
natural fiber, in the management of rural areas
and nature conservation [2], thus sustainable
rural development, which is defined as
improving the lives of everyone "now and for
generations to come" was, is and will be a
priority for people in the rural areas and for
the beneficiaries of the products and services
from the rural communities. After 1989 the Photo 1. View from common Siriu
agricultural area of Romania was torn [1],
Gheorghe Ionescu Siseşti said that "The earth MATERIAL AND METHODS
is like a diamond, if is divided, it loses its
value. " Currently the farm number in Data regarding a large number of obsevable
Romania is of 3,931,350, the utilized facts focusing on Siriu socioeconomic status
agricultural area is of 13,753,046.49 were collected, gathering which took place in
(hectares), the agricultural area used, which different contexts and were used as research
returns for an average farm is of 3.5 tools: commune sheet (technical work - the
hectares[3]. In this context the paper interview, it was conducted two days, and
examines Siriu microregion, a rural those who were interviewed were members
community in the mountainous area of the of local government) and focus-group (in
county of Buzau, in terms of sustainable horizontal communication more people are
socioeconomic development[4]. encouraged to speak with each other,
information is transmitted naturally) . Steps

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that were taken to achieve the focus-group At local level there is a private consulting
were as follows: sampling and construction of room, served by a family doctor , three nurses
the discussion group (in order to obtain a full and a dentist;
compatibility of the participants and get a lot
of data / information a sample has been built
consisting of formal and informal leaders of
the community), moderated discussion group
based on topics of interest for research,
deployment-time collective discussion lasted
3 hours, and the last stage was the
construction of the interview guide. The
period considered in this paper is 2006-2010.
Data gathered from these interviews in
conjunction with data provided by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development and National Institute of
Statistics were processed and incorporated Photo 2. View from Siriu commune
into the village Siriu Development Strategy
for the period 2007 – 2013, areas of analysis In this commune there are areas with natural
are: agriculture, forestry and rural hazards. Garbage dumps throughout the
development, infrastructure and the village give a desolate appearance and some
environment, economic situation, tourism, of the discarded materials are toxic.
education and culture, human resources. Types of economic activity:
• cattle breeding- there aren’t livestock farms
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS in municipality, farm animals are being raised
in households;
In the administrative county of Buzau, the • picking berries (raspberries, blueberries,
Siriu commune is identified as a relatively blackberries) or cultivated fruits(apples,
large and includes villages Caşoca, Coltu plums, cherries, quinces, pears, etc..), in
Pietrii, Gura Siriului, Lunca Jaristei (which is insignificant quantities, they are harvested for
the home village) and Musceluşa. Village household use;
administrative territorial area is of 22,243 • There are two economic agents which are
(hectares), from which 310 (hectares) are specialized in woodworking, a company
found in built-up area[5]. specialized in leather, fur and footwear
manufacturing.
Table 1. The land of the village Siriu • There is also a society specialized in
AREA (hectares)
CATEGORY hydraulic structures, SC Hidroconstructia
Forest 18.620 Bucuresti SA;
Pastures and hayfields 2.434
• Tourism activities: Siriu village has a great
Water surface 602 tourism potential, on its territory there are 7
Orchards 62
Arable land 37 hostels and three restaurants, there are many
mountain trails that cross Siriu Mountain, but
The village territory is crossed by DN10 they are often unmarked or poorly marked.
Buzau - Brasov on a length of 21 km. The existing commercial societies sale 90%
There is a centralized drinking water supply, goods and 10% household goods. Tourism in
the village is connected to the national energy Siriu area is in a continuous development,
system, but there is no centralized heating or taking into account the picturesque and
central heating, there is also no supply and beautiful area. The Siriu commune has 7
distribution network of natural gas. educational units with 35 specialiezed
teachers, there are also a cultural center and a
library.
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4. development and tourism promovation;
Table 2. Structure by sex and age group population 5. rural regeneration.
Age groups (years)
Sex
Portfolio of priority projects for 2007-2013
0-18 18-25 25-40 40-60 Over 60 1.Upgrading roads
Men 1643
776 425 779 702 515 2.The expanding and upgrading sidewalks in
Women 1554
the village
Total 3197 3197
3.The extension of water supply network
Therefore, we see a slightly different situation 4.Establishment and extension of low voltage
from that of the average rural localities in network and public lighting in the village of
Romania, with a gender-reversed structure, Gura Siriului
with 51.4% of male population and 48.6% 5.Making the sewerage network and treatment
female, while the potentially active population plant
(between 18 and 60 years, namely 1906 6. Set up food and gas distribution network
persons) represents 60.2% of the 7.School and kindergarten rehabilitation in the
population[5]. municipality Siriu
8.Expanding and upgrading the village
community center Siriu
9.Organisation of the selective collection of
space for temporary storage and transport of
waste
10.Upgrading / extension of public lighting in
the village
11.Upgrading and equipping the human
dispensary
12. Build and equip a playground for children
13. Establish a municipal park
Graphic 1. Structure of population by age group
14.Construction of a sports hall and sports
Local development strategy is both a planning facilities planning
process and a product that promotes 15.Land Reclamation in the planning
partnership among various local actors: local necessary to ensure the cattle breeding
government, local community, private sector 16.Buzau river bed adjustment and
and civil society representatives, in order to arrangement
examine together the issues development, the 17. Expanding and upgrading the Town Hall
image created for the future / predictions of Siriu
the future, for mobilizing resources,
CONCLUSIONS
developing strategies in different projects and
also the implementation, monitoring and
1.Local governments need to strengthen
evaluation of these projects.
institutional capacity at all levels of decision
Local Action Plan, is a tool for planning and
and execution, assuming that attract and
implementation, it contains a set of elements
provide sufficient financial resources and
that apply to fields of activity in a particular
mobilizing human resources, identifying the
period in order to achieve the general
most effective mechanisms for
objectives set out in the strategy.
communication and analysis framework for
The main objectives of sustainable
assignment of responsibilities.
development of the village Siriu are:
2.Addressing current issues and the future
1. development of basic infrastructure of the
ones depends heavily on the competence of
village;
local government management.
2. environmental protection;
3.A main concern of the local authority
3. strengthening social cohesion and poverty
should be the harmonization of the
reduction;
administrative procedures with the European
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Union.
4. Sustainable rural development process is a
lengthy and complex process, it depends on
the actors of rural development and also on
the national economic and political
conditions.
5. Only by working together Siriu community
can develop harmoniously and only pursuing
its general interests, every individual can
enjoy the benefits of development.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research work was supported by

University of Agricultural Sciences and
Veterinary Medicine Bucharest. Also we
thank the mayor of the village Siriu and all
those who responded positively to the steps
needed to carry out this work.

REFERENCES
[1] Dona Ion – Politici agricole, Editura Semne,
Bucureşti, 2000.
[2] Zahiu Letitia şi colab- Agricultura Uniunii
Europene sub impactul Politicii Agricole Comune, Ed.
Ceres, Bucuresti, 2006
[3] *** Anuarul Statistic al României, INS, 2005
[4] *** Dezvoltarea rurală în România. Carta Verde,
1998. Ministerul Agriculturii şi Alimentaţiei, PHARE
RO 9505-04-03, Bucureşti
[5] *** Plan Urbanistic General comuna Siriu judeţul
Buzău

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THE PARTICULARITIES OF ECONOMY IN POLAND
Daniela POPA

The State Agricultural University of Moldov, 44, Mircesti st., MD- 2049, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phone: +373 22 43 25 85, Fax: + 373 22 31 22 76

Corresponding author : d.popa@uasm.md

Abstract

The paper aimed to present the Polish agriculture which is characterized by significant dispersion, as an average
size of agricultural holdings is about 10,15 ha of agricultural land, and more than half of the holdings produce only
or mainly for their own use, thus reducing their expenses on the purchase of food as well as other family expenses. It
is based on the statistical data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from Warsaw,
Agricultural Market Agency from Warsaw, Agency for Restructuring and Modernizations of Agriculture from
Warsaw, Agricultural Property Agency, were applied the following methods: selective, comparison and tabular
methods. As a conclusion Polish economy has been suffering from the outcomes of the global recession which
disrupted and hampered development process, since the second half of 2008. These turbulences have also affected
the agro-food sector, especially in terms of international trade. Nevertheless, by the end of 2010, the value of export
increased and the turnover balance in terms of food trade was positive. It proves that the Polish food sector is a
worthy competitor on the international arena.

Keywords: Polish economy, global recession, export, turnover balance, Warsaw

INTRODUCTION of Agriculture from Warsaw, Agricultural

Property Agency, different groups of national
and international experts and also our own
In 2009, the Polish economy was the only
researches in this domain, were applied the
Union that has avoided recession. Poland
today stands out as one of the most successful following methods: selective, comparison and
tabular methods.
and open transition economies. The
privatization of small and medium state-
owned companies and a liberal law on RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
establishing new firms marked the rapid Agriculture employs 28.4% of the work force
development of a private sector now but contributes only 3.4% to the gross
responsible for 70% of economic activity. In domestic product (GDP), reflecting relatively
contrast to the vibrant expansion of private low productivity. Unlike the industrial sector,
non-farm activity, the large agriculture Poland's agricultural sector remains priority.
component remains handicapped by structural Polish agriculture is characterized by
problems, surplus labor, inefficient small significant dispersion, as an average size of
farms, and lack of investment. The agricultural holdings is about 10,15 ha of
government's determination to enter the agricultural land, and more than half of the
European Union as soon as possible affects holdings produce only or mainly for their
most aspects of its economic policies. own use, thus reducing their expenses on the
purchase of food as well as other family
expenses. Such agricultural holdings of a
MATERIAL AND METHODS
relatively small area employ traditional
At the basis of this scientific paper served the production methods, consisting in limited use
of mineral fertilizers and chemical plant
information from the Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development from Warsaw, protection products, as well as of industrial
feed in feeding farm animals, especially cattle.
Agricultural Market Agency from Warsaw,
Agency for Restructuring and Modernizations Despite these phenomena and the prevalence
of soils with low usefulness for agriculture,
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Poland is an important European and global fragmented and where the custom of passing
producer of agricultural and horticultural land to growing up children still
products, as well as products of animal origin predominates.
(Table 1). The highest increase in prices has been
Table 1. Share and place of Polish agriculture in the observed in case of the cheapest land with no
world and in the EU (27 states) value for agriculture, which indicates that the
Share Place
demand for land is not associated with
in the in the in in the
world EU the EU agricultural production.
worl Dynamic growth of average farmland prices
d continued also in 2009. However, the price
Production of some agricultural products increase was slightly slower then in the
- wheat 1,4 6,9 16 4 previous year – both in the private trade and
-rye 19,8 37,6 3 2
- 3,7 19,0 7 1
in case of Agricultural Property Stock of the
potatoe State Treasury. By the end of June 2009, the
s Ageny sold 1.877 thousand ha, i.e. 62% of the
-sugar 5,1 11,2 7 3 land remaining in the Stock. The supply of
beet land from the Agricultural Property Stock of
-rape 4,3 11,6 6 3 the state Treasury is declining; factors
-apples 1,6 10,6 12 2
-meat 1,3 8,8 14 5
hampering the sales inlude reprivatisation
-cow’s 2,3 8,2 10 4 claims, which concern approx 500 thousand
milk ha. Currently, the Agency has 315,5 thousand
Stock ha of land at its disposal wich are planned to
-cattle 0,4 6,4 457 7 be sold or leased; however, only 215 thousand
- pigs 1,8 11,3 7 3 ha (68% of the total land) is fit for agricultural
Source: Statistical yearbook of agriculture and rural
production. The agency, since the biginning
areas 2009 of its activity in this area, has conducted
approx 680 thousand tenders, inluding 20
Poland also holds a leading position in thousand restricted tenders. In certain cases,
production of berries (strawberries, existing leaseholders have the right of pre-
raspberries and currants) and outdoor emption.
vegetables, such as: onions, cabbage and Significant variations in the dynamics of plant
cauliflowers. and animal production over the years result,
Soil and climatic conditions, as well as above all, from the variability of atmospheric
regional traditions, determine production conditions, which influence the volume of
specialization. In 2009 there was an increase yields and harvest and, as a consequence, lead
in agricultural production: however, pace of to the reduction of feed reserves and increase
growth was definitely slower than in the their prices. This, in turn, affects the volume
preceding year when very good production of animal production.
results were achieved. In 2008, market conditions for agricultural
Since the EU integration, a growing demand production deteriorated, especially in
for agricultural land has been observed, comparison with the previous year, which was
resulting in an increase in land prices. The particularly favourable in this regard.
growing number of transactions in land Agricultural economy and production in 2008
marketing differs regionally and is were influenced by increased cereals harvests
conditioned mainly by: supply, different and declining supply of slaughter pigs, which
agrarian structure, economic power of affceted the prices of agricultural products in
agricultural holdings and diversified reasons the country. Developing economic downturn
for purchasing land. The relatively smallest on global cereals and milk markets was one of
turnover has been observed in southern and the main factors which led to the price
central Poland, where holdings are most decrease. The prices of means of production,
on the other hand, were on the rise in 2008. as
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the prices of agricultural products rose slower production. Milk and cereals producers were
than the prices of the means of agricultural in unfavourable position, whereas pork
production, the index of price relations (price producers found themselves in a relatively
scissors) declined from 107,7 in 2007 to 91,0 good situation as the relation of the prices of
in 2008 (figure 1). means of production to the prices of pork
were continually improving in 2008. In 2008,
40 37,8 the average prices of pork increased by 15,8%
35 32,9
when compared to 2007 and those of
31,6
industrial potatoes by almost 10%. Cereals
30
prices fell by almost 9%- and so did the prices
25
20,1 2000 of milk and poultry.
1918,2
20 2007 2009 was not very favourable for Polish
14,314 2008
15
12 farmers in terms of income. Based on the
10 8,58,2
7,1 6,76,46,8
8,1 macroeconomic data, it is estimated that the
5,54,7 6
5 44,6
3
4,8
3,7 4,14,4 minor increase of the agricultural production
2,1
0,60,40,4 value was accompanied by a 9% increase of
0
the so called „intermediate consumption”
le s

n
on

gs
s

a ls
it
l

ilk
ls

tria

t io
fru
oe
rea

eg
cti

sm
tab

n im

value (mainly prices of fertilizers, feed and

uc
us
tat

du
ce

n
ge

rod
w'
ind
po

ra

he
ro

co
ve

p
tp

hte

plant protection products), which led to a

al
la n

ug

nim
p

s la

a
er

decrease of added value in agriculture by

er
oth

oth

Fig.1. Structure of commercial agricultural production

almost 10% when compared to 2008 and, as a
in 2000 and 2008 (in % - current prices) result, reduced farmers incomes. The amount
Source: Agriculture, CSO (GUS). Warsaw, 2009 of direct payments, which due to an incease of
complementary payments rates rose by 15%,
In 2008, the price index of goods and had a definitely positive impact on the
services (inflation) was 105,2% when income; on the other hand, rising costs of
compared to 2007, which means that increase depreciation (6% higher) and a reduction of
in prices of agricultural products was slower other subventions (by 13%) was very
than increase in prices of other goods and unfavourable. Results of agricultural
services. In this context, the increase in goods accounting of a representative sample for a
and services intended for agriculture, current group of 750 thousand agricultural holdings,
agricultural production needs (112,8%) and which constitute almost 90% of added value
investment purposes (105,3%), was of agriculture (FADN), confirm that in 2009,
particularly high. Fertilizers, in particular there was an actual decrease of added value
phosphorus – based, were the elements that and agricultural income when compared with
went up most in price – respecively, by more 2008. Organic farming is the most
than 38% and by almost 56%. This price hike environmentally friendly method of
is a result of an incremental increase in the agricultural production, enhancing soil
global prices of raw materials used in the fertility and preserving landscape diversity. In
production of fertilizers. The prices of feed order to enhance biological activity and
rose by 14% and the prices of plant protection fertility of soil, crops are need to be
products by almost 10%. Prices of mechinery appropriately rotated.
maintanance soared (an increase of 11%). Recent years have witnessed a growing
Prices of other groups of means of agricultural interest in organic food production methods
production rose, in comparison with the all over the world, and especially in the EU.
previous year, by 3 – 7% - including retail The world’s area of organic farming exceeds
prices of seeds, young trees and cuttings (3%) 35 million ha, 20% of which is in the EU.
and veterinary services (3,1%). Differences in Despite favourable conditions, Poland lags
the increase of prices of specific agricultural behind the EU average as regards organic
products and means of production resulted in farms and the area under organic farming.
different profitability of specific lines of
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Organic farms constitute on average 1,7% of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
all agricultural holdings and 3,9% of the
farming area in the EU, while in Poland these This research work was carried out with the
figures are 0,8% and 2,3%, respectively. support of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
The high turnover dynamics in foreign trade Development from Warsaw, Agricultural
in recent years has resulted mainly from Market Agency from Warsaw, Agency for
elimination of administrative and customs Restructuring and Modernizations of
barriers and opening of the eastern market (in Agriculture from Warsaw, Agricultural
2008), which was expressed in a considerable Property Agency.
growth in the dynamics of sales to the
countries of the Commonwealth of
REFERENCES
Independent States (CIS) in 2008.
In comparison to the first half of 2007, export [1] Zalega Tomasz, 2005, Leksykon Economii Łodz.
Copyright by Wyzsza Szkola Humanistyczno –
in the first half of 2008 was higher by 20% Economiczna w Łodzi, Wydanie I, ISBN 83-87814-
and import increased by 25% (Table 2). 27-X, 183 p.
[2] www.arimr.gov.pl
Table 2. Share of agri-food products in Poland’s total [3] www. anr.gov.pl
foreign trade (%) [4]www. minrol.gov.pl
Share of agri-
food products in: 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
- total export 8,4 8,8 10,0 9,8 9,8 9,9
- total import 5,9 6,2 6,8 6,4 6,4 7,0

After comparing the second halves of both

years it turns out that in 2008 export increased
by 1,8% and import by over 21%. Many of
the developed economies, especially in the
European Union, have been suffering from the
economic crisis and clearly reduced internal
demand, including also the demand for
foreign products, which was the main reason
for weakening of Polish agro-food products
export in the second half of 2008. The
diminishing competitiveness of Polish
products had a smaller impart.
CONCLUSIONS
1. Polish economy has been suffering from
the outcomes of the global recession which
disrupted and hampered development process,
since the second half of 2008.
2. These turbulences have also affected the
agro-food sector, especially in terms of
international trade.
3. Nevertheless, by the end of 2008, the value
of export increased and the turnover balance
in terms of food trade was positive. It proves
that the Polish food sector is a worthy
competitor on the international arena.

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STUDIES REGARDING THE CERTIFICATION OF AGROTOURIST
GUESTHOUSES AND FARMS IN GREAT BRITAIN
Liliana POPESCU 1, Elisabeta SIMA 2, Romeo Cătălin CREŢU 3
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail : liliana_r_popescu@yahoo.com
2
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail: betty_ruse@yahoo.com
3
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail: creturomeocatalin@yahoo.com
Corresponding author : liliana_r_popescu@yahoo.com
Abstract: The aim of the paper is to analyse the main developments in terms of quality certification in tourism and
rural tourism in Great Britain, which have a long tradition and may serve as an example to Romanian agrotourism
in its attempt to come out of the current crisis. The agency which deals with agrotourist establishment classification
and promotion in Great Britain is called “Visit Britain”. Its idea is to achieve a quality and services standard as
close as possible to the one in the countries with a long tradition in the rural tourism field.

Keywords : rural tourism, legislation, Great Britain, agrotourism, certification, guesthouse

INTRODUCTION various associations of guesthouse owners

appeared and, although they had existed since
Rural tourism in Great Britain has a long
around the 1940s, they became famous only
tradition, especially in the western regions of
during that interval, their number increasing
the country from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall
considerably. These associations were usually
the south-west and to the mountains of
made up of 20, 30 members and focused their
Scotland. In this region, we find small farms
efforts on small tourist promotion activities,
with less fertile soils which benefit from
although in the mid-1980s they had started
agrotourism, as well as many National Parks
focusing more on improving their members’
and coastal areas famous for their picturesque
quality standards.
aspect, but unfortunately the climatic
conditions are not favourable to tourism. MATERIAL AND METHODS
The development of rural tourism and other
types of tourism in Great Britain is closely By analysing the Rural Tourism in Great
related to the development of transport Britain in the 1980s, we identify a number of
networks, which were represented at the factors that had a strong influence on this type
beginning by railroads, and now by road and of tourism.
highway networks. 1. Major changes in the European Union’s
The development of tourism in the 1950s and and British government’s Common
1960s was more accelerated in Great Britain Agricultural Policy.
coastal areas and then in the 1970s and 1980s 2. The „deurbanisation” phenomenon,
it suffered a decline almost equal to the consisting in the fact that the inhabitants
development in the previous years, partly of large cities return to villages or small
caused by the tourist packages offered by the rural towns.
Mediterranean countries. 3. A rapid increase in the general
Due to these decreases, guesthouses had a consumption, but at the same time with
small number of rooms and fewer leisure this phenomenon there was also a concern
facilities and relaxation activities. Thus, about the effects of this increase on the
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environment. Thus, the concept of urbanisation attitude, some tourists who
Sustainable and Ecological Tourism choose agrotourist services still expect a high
appeared, which matched the rural tourism level of services and utilities available in the
better. guesthouse.
4. Regional tourist agencies saw the trends to Another aspect of rural tourism is represented
favour Agrotourism on the part of the by the entry on this market of new players
British Government, due to its economic who, unfortunately, due to their desire to
potential, and to create new jobs. provide a very high comfort and services level
5. A thorough revision of the education forget about the rustic, traditional and
system which trains specialists in tourism ecological aspect of agrotourism and fails in
in order to develop new training courses, maintaining a profitable business.
to train people specialised in rural tourism.
Tourism market research in the 1980s RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
indicated that 21% (52 million) of the Ways to classify Guesthouses and
holidays longer than 4 days (3 nights), 12 Agrotourist Farms. The agency which deals
million two-day stays and 57 million business with agrotourist establishment classification
trips are located in the rural area. The tourists and promotion is called “Visit Britain” and it
that arrived in rural areas spent over £300m was created on 1 April 2003, in order to
(£200m brought by foreign tourists), and the promote Great Britain in the world and among
number of tourists increased to 850 million, its own citizens.
and they spent over 1900 million days in the Quality Improvement Standards. Quality is
rural tourist environment. an essential element in the process of
The main reasons which lead to these figures achieving a competitive tourist industry in
were: the aspect of the rural space, the Great Britain. The “Visit Britain” idea is to
landscape, the warm and hospitable people, achieve a quality and services standard as
peace, the quality-price ratio and an increased close as possible to the one in the countries
interest in understanding the rural space. An with a long tradition in the rural tourism field.
important contribution to these achievements This objective can be achieved by providing
was also made by the local organisations tourist services which exceed or at least equal
promoting agrotourism. the tourists’ requirements. Thus, the
Rural tourism begins to attract more and more establishment of standards is crucial for the
visitors with lager financial resources and development of British agrotourism, the
revenues are expected to increase in the agency collaborating closely with the tourist
following intervals. Rural tourism industry representatives and with the local
development is also influenced by the fact that authorities in the areas with tourist potential,
a higher resistance to the recession factors encouraging them to join the “National
was identified as compared to other domains. Quality Assurance Standards” Programme.
For a continuous development of this sector it Behaviour code and NQASP participation
is necessary to make investments in the conditions. The guesthouse owner or
transport infrastructure, to have better manager must implement and monitor the
cooperation between the governmental and observance of the following requirements:
non-governmental agencies in the field and o Maintain the level of services provided to
the European Commission, and due to the the customers at standards complying with
recent global concerns about preserving the the classification level of the agrotourist
environment and the risks to human health establishment and with cleanliness;
that have emerged lately it seems that o Accurately describe the agrotourist
agrotourism will be preferred more and more. establishment and the services it provides
Unfortunately, yet, the Rural Tourism in any type of promotional materials;
industry is still quite fragmented and lacks an o Correctly and thoroughly inform the
efficient coordination and, although one of the customers with reference to the prices
strengths of agrotourism is the anti-
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charged by the establishment and the Suite: 10.2 square metres. In measuring the
services which are included in these rates; rooms, we take into account the distance
o Inform the customers about the booking between the walls of the room without
cancellation policies at the moment they considering the area taken by the furniture. In
are made; order to receive a classification higher than a
o Observe the prices offered to the customers star, these sizes must be larger. The ceiling
when booking the accommodation and not height must be at least 1.85 metres. Family
to change these prices; rooms must be substantially larger.
o Inform the tourists when they check in Minimum bed sizes: Single beds: 190 x 90
about the possible changes in cm; Double beds: 190 x 137 cm; Beds of: 183
accommodation or services provided; x 75 cm are recommended only for children;
o Give details about the invoice and a Beds of: 190 x 122 cm are recommended to
receipt to any tourist, upon request; be used only as single beds. During the
o Promptly and politely solve any of the assessment, each aspect which is taken into
tourists’ requests; account will receive the grade equalling one
o Establish a methodology for solving star. Thus, a general score is established for
potential complaints from the tourists as the quality in accordance with a series of
fast as possible, informing them as to the requirements. The establishment will receive
results; a star classification if it achieves certain
o Pay increased attention to customers with standards in a few key domains, namely:
special needs; cleanliness, hospitality, guestrooms
o Receive guests politely and warmly (bedrooms), bathrooms and breakfast, but also
regardless of race, gender or sexual the other minimum requirements relevant in
orientation; establishing a quality standard must be
o Observe the laws regarding the fire achieved. For example, in order to obtain a
fighting norms and take out insurance 4**** rating, the establishment must meet
policies that cover potential damages most of the essential conditions presented
caused to the tourists’ goods or even or above and the overall percentage of meeting
harm to the tourists themselves during the essential conditions presented above and
their stay in the agrotourist establishment; the overall percentage of meeting the
o Allow the “Visit Britain” (VB) agency conditions must range from 70% to 84%.
representatives reasonable access within Required percentages in order to obtain
the guesthouse, upon request, in order to quality stars: 1 Star – 30-40%; 2 Stars- 47-
check their compliance with the 50%; 3 Stars - 55-69%; 4 Stars - 70-84%; 5
Behaviour Code. Stars - 85-100%
Quality Assessment. There are five quality Differentiation according to stars. An
classification levels ranging from one star to agrotourist establishment will have to achieve
five stars. In order to obtain a high number of three elements in order to be granted a certain
stars, it is necessary to increase quality in five classification:
key domains, namely: Cleanliness, o All the minimum requirements
Hospitality, Breakfast, Rooms, Restrooms. o The overall percentage obtained must
Moreover, in order to obtain the maximum correspond to the percentage allocated to
number of stars the agrotourist establishment is one of the five quality standards (stars)
also expected to provide other services and o The quality standards required in the five
facilities in addition to the highest standards key domains presented above must be
provided in the five categories mentioned achieved
above. o The score of at least three key assessment
Minimum certification norms elements must be equal to or exceed the
Minimum requirements regarding the overall score obtained by the agrotourist
guest room sizes: Single room: 5.6 square establishment
metres; Double room: 8.4 square metres; Certification will be granted as follows:
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o The certification level may not exceed the 2. Hospitality
level of the lowest score obtained for one Table 2: Hospitality
1 Star Interaction and contact with the guests are limited.
of the classification criteria 2 Stars All the guests are served promptly in a polite manner
o The establishments must obtain at least 3 Stars The tourists are welcomed with a positive attitude and
always with a warm smile by the owner or employees; A
the minimum score for 1* to obtain a good first and last impression.
certification. 4 Stars More complete and customised services for each and very
tourist; The staff will engage in conversation with the
Assessment percentages for the key tourists exhibiting a positive attitude; The guests must be
criteria: Cleanliness: 1 Star- 40-49%; 2 made to feel at home, being welcomed very warmly.
Stars- 50-59%; 3 Stars - 60-74%; 4 Stars - 75- 5 Stars The guests will be personally welcomed by the owner or
manager; Good knowledge and anticipation of the customers’
89%; 5 Stars - 90-100%; Hospitality: 1 Star - needs; An additional services offer such as: fresh milk,
30-49%; 2 Stars - 50-64%; 3 Stars - 65-74%; telephones at the tourists’ disposal, recommendations on
tourist sights and restaurants in the area;
4 Stars - 75-84%; 5 Stars - 85-100%; Source: Authors’ own research
Breakfast: 1 Star - 30-39%; 2 Stars - 40-59%; 3. Services and efficiency
3 Stars - 60-69%; 4 Stars - 70-79%; 5 Stars - Table 3: Services and efficiency
80-100%; Bedrooms and bathrooms: 1 Star 1 Star The customers’ basic personal contacts are registered; Access to
the establishment on arrival may be restricted; Random
- 25-34%; 2 Stars - 35-49%; 3 Stars - 50-62%; registration of the guests; The guests are directed to their rooms;
4 Stars - 63-79%; 5 Stars - 80-100% 2 Stars Competent reception employees who deal with bookings,
requesting more detailed information such as: name, surname,
The following aspects are taken into account in address, phone number, stay length, number of double/simple
making an assessment for the star classification: rooms required; The guests will be informed of the potential
restrictions within the establishment at the moment they make
Cleanliness in: bathrooms, bedrooms, dining the bookings; Well-organised checking-in procedures;
halls, public spaces. 3 Stars A specialised department at the tourists’ disposal which deals
with bookings, complaints or other superior information;
Hospitality: in bookings, on arrivals, during Availability to assist the guests on arrival;
meals, while providing various types of 4 Stars Well-organised guest relations department; The tourists will be
seen to their rooms and information will be provided to them
services, on departure. about the tourists sights in the region; Assistance in carrying
Service and efficiency: in bookings, on luggage;
5 Stars The guesthouse phone must not ring more than five times
arrival, during meals, on departure before the call is taken; Bookings are made professionally and
The establishment’s exterior aspect: the politely, reassuring the tourists that the data were accurately
recorded; Confirmation letters with details about the access
buildings’ aspect and maintenance, façade, roads to the guesthouse mailed, faxed or e-mailed;
garden, yard, parking lots, leisure facilities Source: Authors’ own research
Bedrooms: decorations, furniture and fittings, 4.Dinner and general services
floors, beds and bedding, lighting, heating and Table 4: Dinner and general services
1 Star Adequate services and hospitality level; Tables placed and
ventilation, room space and comfort. laid accordingly for serving meals
Bathrooms: decorations, fittings, sanitary 2 Stars Competent services accompanied by a positive attitude;
Reasonable knowledge of the assortment of drinks and
objects, floor, lighting, heating, ventilation, foods available.
towels and toiletries, space, comfort and ease 3 Stars Prompt responses to the quests’ requirements for
supplementary services; In larger establishments, all the
in using the utilities. customers’ requirements are directed to the reception and
Dinner and breakfast foodstuffs quality. bar staff to be solved promptly; In establishments where
dinner is not served, the guests will be directed to other
Quality norms establishments in the area where they can have dinner; A
1. Establishment cleanliness menu will also be available in establishments where
Table 1: Establishment cleanliness dinner is served; Good knowledge of the assortments of
1 Star All areas must be clean and dustless; All the rooms must be drinks and food available; A quite efficient service;
vacuum cleaned daily; The public areas must be tidy. 4 Stars Availability to provide supplementary services;
2 Very good cleanliness in all the rooms and public areas of Spontaneous offer to help in finding an establishment that
Stars the establishment, with minor slips. serves meals; Very good knowledge of the assortments of
3 Increased attention to details, an untidiness level as low as drinks and food available; Full services, making sure that
Stars possible and elimination of dust layers in public places the tourists have bread and water on the table, rapid
more often; Furniture with soft finishing elements and soft cleaning of tables and sporadic checking of customer
carpets, both well-maintained; All the areas are properly satisfaction even during the meal.
tidy; All the establishment areas smell freshly. 5 Stars In establishments where dinner is not provided, the tourists
4 Clean areas dusted often. Furniture and carpets with soft will be given detailed information about the restaurants in the
Stars texture and cleaned thoroughly and frequently; Much more area and even their menus; Providing additional services in
attention to details in all the establishment areas; Pillows advance, such as lighting the fire in the rooms before the
and bedding kept under hygiene conditions in each room. guests arrive and a high level of anticipating tourist needs; A
thorough description of the assortments of drinks and food
5 Perfectly maintained areas; Immaculate furniture and
available in the guesthouse;
Stars carpets; Freshly cleaned bedding.
Source: Authors’ own research Source: Authors’ own research

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5. Procedures upon departure 9. Bedrooms
Table 5: Procedures upon departure Table 9: Bedrooms
1 Star Adequate services on departure with a limited contact 1 Decorations must be functional; A limited number of
between the host and guests; The invoice is provided on Star paintings and other decorations; A limited number of
request. furniture items; Lighting and heating facilities must be
2 Stars The tourists’ departure must not be delayed by the guesthouse adequate and safe to use; All the windows must have curtains
staff The owners or the staff are available to provide more or blinds that cover the whole window surface; The floors
details about the invoice; provide an adequate comfort, some wear and tear signs may
3 Stars Efficient procedures in assisting the guests on departure; be obvious and a professional finish is not compulsory;
Preparing the invoice in time; Illuminators must have the forms and sizes necessary in
4 Stars Efficient assistance on departure; The owners or the staff must lighting the entire room; Heating facilities must provide
be well-trained regarding all the accepted payment methods; optimum temperatures during the stay, portable ones are also
5 Stars The staff or the owners must be available on departure for any accepted; A very limited range of quality accessories; Doors
information an payment of the invoice; The invoice must be and drawers must all open without having to move other
correct, detailed and very well explained; The guests are furniture items; The rooms are large enough to include all the
asked whether they felt good during their stay; Assistance in necessary furniture items, but without paying attention to
carrying luggage and guidance in finding the most efficient their setting; Reasonably sound-proof, without noises coming
route to the destination; from sanitary equipment or hallways;
Source: Authors’ own research 2 Decorations may be old but not damaged, scratched or torn;
Stars A wider range of furniture items, which may also be older
6.Buildings’ exterior but still in good condition; Low comfort level provided to the
Table 6: Buildings’ exterior guests; Good quality curtains and blinds used more easily;
1 Star The exterior must be in good conditions; The property Good quality floors, but carpets are mostly made of synthetic
must be maintained adequately; materials; Good lighting made up of a main lighting element
2 Stars Good maintenance of the building, including the and a secondary one with a minimum cumulated value
windows; Limited wear and tear signs in areas with ranging from 160 to 220 watts; Heating equipment may be
limited guest access; A neat building aspect portable but may benefit from thermostats; A limited range
3 Stars Well maintained buildings and property of quality accessories; The rooms must be large, with enough
4 Stars Very good maintenance of the stone walls and painted space between furniture items, so that they are not crammed;
walls, although a certain level of decay due to climate Good furniture setting; Bed access is only on one side;
conditions is accepted; Improvements to the property yard 3 Interior decorations must be selected carefully; Good quality
with large building windows; Stars wallpaper and paintings; Good quality, well-preserved
5 Stars Excellent building and yard maintenance standards; All the furniture; Good furniture setting; Furniture items number and
size must be in accordance with the space available in the
buildings must be painted accordingly; The existence of
improvements and floral arrangements; Additional room; Well-placed lighting elements, providing good light;
architecture and decorative elements; Well-lit yard with signs; Good quality blinds; Good quality wood floors, well fitted
and in good condition; Plenty of natural light and heating
Source: Authors’ own research equipment providing a constant temperature in the entire
7. Yards, gardens and façades room, controlled by thermostats; A good range of quality
accessories; Enough space for the tourist to move freely and
Table 7: Yards, gardens and façades with a good level of comfort, optimum furniture setting, TV-
1 Star Give a good first impression, dustbins and toolsheds must
set, access to bed possible on both sides, comfortable chairs
be located in distant areas and they must be well-kept;
and a large number of sockets.
Safe walkways; Well maintained alleys;
4 A very good standard for decorations, very good quality
2 Stars Dustbins and toosheds located in remote areas; More
Stars drawings and paintings are used and an attempt to hide the
obvious efforts to maintain and clean the yard and
cables and pipes in the room; High quality furniture, not
gardens; Efficient lighting and signposting where
necessarily new, but providing a substantial level of comfort;
necessary; Easy access to the yard and gardens;
Blinds covering all the window surface; High quality floors,
3 Stars Well maintained and clean yards with well-built alleys not necessarily new and possibly exhibiting wear and tear
and walkways; Adequate overall aspect; Efficient lighting signs, or lower quality but very well maintained,
and signposting with a long driveway for cars; Easy professionally fitted; Comfortable mattresses, very high
access inside the property; quality bedding matching the rest of the room,
4 Stars Dustbin area must be secluded, outside the tourist area; supplementary bedding hygienically packed, with high
High garden maintenance standards, with flower beds and quality pillows, and anti-allergic finish; Very good lighting
clean alleys; Ornamental bushels and trees must be level with easy access and control. Various lighting elements
trimmed and maintained properly. may be used to match the rest f the decorations and furniture
5 Stars The yard and garden must be very well maintained, with items in the room; Eating equipment is fitted properly and
flower beds, trimmed bushels, trimmed trees, mowed and controlled by thermostat. A wide range of good quality
neat lawn, large alleys painted in bright colours; Good accessories is provided; A well-designed furniture setting is
organisation of the yard and garden, adding garden used to provide ample space in the room, even if it is smaller,
furniture, gazebos, spring wells and other such facilities very good access to both bedsides, a chair is provided to each
available to the tourists; guest, minimum noise level;
Source: Authors’ own research 5 Excellent interior setting, with great attention to details,
8. Parking lots Stars combining the colour and textures in the room very well.
Very good quality wall finish, with special attention to
Table 8: Parking lots furniture items considered to be luxury ones; Furniture items
1 Star Quite easy and safe access to the parking lots; are very high quality, with copies of luxury furniture made of
2 Stars Small steps in managing the parking lots; massive wood, a wider range of furniture items necessary in
3 Stars Easy and safe access to parking lots, which are marked; providing a high level of comfort, including at least two very
Adequate lighting; comfortable chairs. Very good quality thick drapes, large
4 Stars Clear marking of parking lots; enough to completely isolate the windows; Professionally
5 Stars Ample and clearly marked spaces; Providing a guest car fitted floors, covered with high quality carpets, polished and
security level; Alleys and staircases leading to the parking laminated. Superior quality beds, with orthopaedic
lots must be well-lit; mattresses, perfectly cleaned and laid bedding,
Source: Authors’ own research supplementary bedding sets and pillows easily available to

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the tourists and kept under maximum hygiene conditions; A 11. Food quality
wide variety of lighting elements is also provided, all
matching the rest of the decorations and finishes in the room, Table 11: Food quality
the possibility to control the intensity of the light wither from 1 Star Possibly a pre-set menu but also other dishes may be
the bed or from near the door. Heating equipments are available on request, plate decoration and side dishes are
controlled by thermostat, and if temperatures increase a lot, limited.
cooling equipment is provided to the tourists. A wide range 2 Stars The food is served at temperatures specific to each type of
of very good quality accessories. No noise is allowed; dish, the list of dishes is limited, meals are prepared
paying increased attention to details.
Source: Authors’ own research
3 Stars The food is well presented, freshly cooked, using good
10. Bathrooms, toilets and sanitary objects quality ingredients, some fresh ones, increased attention is
Table 10: Bathrooms, toilets and sanitary objects paid to dish quality rather than their diversity.
1 Star Functional decorations, tiled walls. Sanitary objects of 4 Stars Quite many fresh ingredients are used in cooking, and
acceptable quality and properly fitted. Thick drapes dishes are cooked with great attention to quality and
covering the windows. The floors are adequate, some wear details.
and tear signs may be visible, they are not professionally 5 Stars Dishes are excellently prepared and cooked using fresh
fitted. Lighting elements adequate to the space, heating ingredients, seasonal ones and preferably local ones.
equipment in accordance with the space, it is recommended Emphasis is placed on the high quality of the products
that they are fixed for safety. Efficient ventilation. provided to the customers, a high level of details, varied
Satisfactory quality towels with a minimum diversity and side dishes.
small sizes, only the soap is provided by the establishment, Source: Authors’ own research
possibly unwrapped. The provided space is enough and
satisfactory, water pressure is adequate.
2 Old decorations without obvious scratches and CONCLUSIONS
Stars deteriorations. Metallic items are of good quality, but may 1. Rural tourism and agrotourism have made
be old and used, sanitary objects may be uncoupled and
some may be plastic. The floors are of good quality, and significant progress in Great Britain and their
the part covered by linoleum or tiles should be in good development may serve as an example to
condition. Lighting is good, probably provided by a single
lighting element. Towels may be thicker and matching. The many countries, including Romania.
soap is of average quality but it may be wrapped, other 2. We notice a marked inclination towards
accessories, yet of a lower quality, may be found. The
comfort level is good, the space is limited but enough for tradition and conservatism among the British
the comfortable use of the sanitary equipment. entrepreneurs in this domain. Agrotourist
3 Well finished, good quality materials used in finishes, good
Stars quality and matching sanitary objects, good quality blinds guesthouses in Great Britain are mostly
covering the entire window area, enough space for shelves owned by families, the administration of these
for the guests’ stuff. The floors are well fitted, good quality
and comfortable, well-preserved wood floors are also businesses often involving only the members
found. Lighting elements provide good light especially near of these families. Improvements in the
the mirror, enough natural light. The heating level is
provided within comfortable limits. A wider range of better legislation may help to turn rural tourism and
quality towels, they are changed once in 3 days except for agrotourism activities into profitable
the areas under certain ecological constraints. Good quality
toilet paper, wrapped soap and shampoo are also provided businesses for all the stakeholders.
together with enough space to allow free access to sanitary
equipment.
4 A very good decoration standard and efforts are made to REFERENCES
Stars hide the pipes and cable. Shower cabins, good quality
accessories, high water pressure and faucets which ensure a
[1] Creţu Romeo Cătălin, 2005, Legislaţie în
high control of the water flow and temperature. High
quality floors, not necessarily new, professionally fitted. alimentaţie publică şi agroturism, Editura Ceres,
Lighting is very good especially near or in front of the Bucuresti, Capitolul 3, p. 90-93
mirror and several types of lighting elements may be used. [2] Kotler,P./Bowen,J./Makens,J, 2002, Marketing for
Heating equipments are properly fitted, providing a
Hospitality and Tourism, (3rd ed.) Prentice Hall, p.
uniform temperature controlled by thermostat. Very good
quality soft and fluffy towels, better quality toiletries of a 123-125
wider range, possibly all of the same brand. Enough space [3] Stabler, M, 2006, Tourism and Sustainability:
for shelves and an efficient setting of the sanitary furniture Principles to Practice, Cabi Publishing, Wallingford, p.
to provide an optimum space.
234-236
5 Excellent finish aspect with an increased attention to
Stars details, professionally made and perfectly maintained, [4] x x x –Ordinul ministrului pentru IMM, comerţ,
paintings or drawings may also be found where they are turism şi profesii liberale nr. 636/2008 pentru aprobarea
considered necessary. All the sanitary accessories are of Normelor metodologice privind clasificarea structurilor
very good quality, plenty of hot water regardless of the de primire turistice, în “Monitorul Oficial al
time, high water pressure. Heating is provided through an
automatic system controlled by a thermostat. The tourists României”, partea I, nr. 379 bis, 2008.
have a wide range of towels, bathrobes, slippers and all the
necessary toiletries of the best quality. He room provides
an ample space, enough for any activity to be performed
under total comfort conditions.
Source: Authors’ own research

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THE MULTI-FACTORIAL REGRESSION MODELS FOR STUDYING
THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF LAND CONSOLIDATION IN THE
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Anatol RACUL, Dragoş CIMPOIEŞ

The State Agrarian University of Moldova, 44 Mirceşti, 2049, Chişinău, Republica Moldova,
E-mail: racul@rambler.ru, dcimpoies@uasm.md

Corresponding author: racul@rambler.ru

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to study the economic efficiency of the autumn wheat with the help of the multi-factorial
regression models. Assessing the elasticity coefficient of production factors in the agrarian sector of the Republic of
Moldova gives the possibility to define the criteria for optimizing the land consolidation. By means of these
assessment methods we can appreciate the existence, direction and the degree of interrelatedness between the
economic processes. We can also measure the degree of variation of endogenous characteristics under the
influence of the exogenous characteristics in growing autumn wheat in the district of Făleşti, the Republic of
Moldova.

Keywords : land consolidation, econometric models, autumn wheat

INTRODUCTION the rest is managed by corporate farms. This

is in stark contrast to the pre-reform situation,
when individuals cultivated 2% of agricultural
Since 1991 Moldova has carried out a wide
land and 98% was controlled by collective
range of radical reforms affecting its social
and state farms. Ensuring the long-term
and economic system. The reforms have been
viability and sustainability of the new farming
aimed at the creation of political, legal and
structure in Moldova is a national priority.
economic foundations for a market economy
Meanwhile, the progress in land privatization
based predominantly on the private sector.
does not led to the individualization of
Within this general framework, agrarian
agriculture. Half of agricultural land in
reform proceeded in the following main
Moldova is farmed by the corporate sector.
directions:
Although this is a positive result, comparing
- mass privatization of agricultural land,
with other transition countries like Russia and
culminating in physical distribution of land
Ukraine, it is far from being satisfactory,
plots and issue of land titles to individual
while compared with market economies,
owners;
where the share of corporate farms in the total
- transformation of traditional collective and
area of agricultural land is much smaller [4].
state farms into new forms of market-
The need for studying the economic
oriented organizations.
efficiency of producing autumn wheat and
Over 1 million residents became landowners
also the reserves for increasing this efficiency
as a result of this process, which ended
requires the identification of the causal links
between 1998 and 2000. Many of them used
between the factors which influence the
their privately owned land to establish
indicators for the results in order to fundament
independent family farms, while others
decisions or make forecasts with respect to
entrusted their land to managers of newly
these factors in the future. In this way, the
created corporate farms (partnerships, limited
relations between the result indexes and the
liability companies, agricultural cooperatives,
factors which influence the efficiency of the
joint stock companies, etc.) [1].
autumn wheat production can be brought
As of today, 50% of agricultural land in
together in the analysis of regression and
Moldova is used by individual producers and
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correlation. Here we study the dependence stochastic); the number of characteristics
between the result variable (characteristic) y (simple or multiple); the direction of the
and one or more independent variables relation (direct or inverse); the function’s
(characteristics) x. The result characteristic y form (linear or non-linear) and according to
is also called the endogenous characteristic, the way of manifestation in time (synchronous
dependent or effect, and the independent or non- synchronous).
characteristic x – factorial, exogenous or When determining the production functions in
causal [2]. agriculture, in the basis of the qualitative
Although a lot of studies have been conducted economic analyses, we specify:
in both developed and developing countries, - the essential phenomena taken into account
including countries in transition regarding the (two of them), out of which one is “cause”
place of individual farms in agriculture, the and the other one is “effect”
main questions addressed by local policy - the hypothesis describing the
makers and researches still concern whether independence between the two phenomena
there is a clear superiority of one is shown by one single relation;
organisational form, namely family farms, - the form of the relation is linear;
over corporate structures and the nature of the - in the case of linear relation, the model
relationship between size and farm efficiency, obtains the formula
being strong advocates of the economy of
scale. Such an approach may cause a serious y x = a 0 + a 1 x,
impact on the country’s agricultural policy
and different strategic plans regarding where
agricultural and rural development. y x – dependent variable, effect or
Agricultural reforms led to the existence of a endogenous;
reduced number of large corporate farms - at x – independent variable, causal or
one pole, and a large number of small and exogenous;
very small peasant (family) farms and rural a 0 – free coefficient;
households – at another one. Almost do not a 1 – regression coefficient, which shows the
exist the so-called “medium-sized” family modification of y after the unitary
farms, the main organization form in market modification of x.
economies’ agriculture [4]. At the same time, In studying the efficiency of autumn wheat
the relationship between the organization production, this equation is used only when
form and farm size is not always the same. the determined result indexes depend greatly
Usually, family farms are small farms, but on one single factor. However, during actual
some of them fall in the category of large production the result indexes are influenced
farms. A similar picture is observed with by a series of factors, and consequently in
corporate farms, which are typically large, but practice we use the multi-factorial model
not all of them. more often, since it offers us the possibility to
make a quality evaluation of the shape and the
MATERIAL AND METHODS intensity of the relation between the result (y)
and the factors x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ... x n which
In the case of regression analysis we describe influence it. In this case, the equation of the
the way that a dependent variable evolves relation becomes:
depending on the modification of one or more
causal variables, therefore y = f(x i ). The y x1x2 ... xn = a 0 + a1 x1 + a 2 x 2 ... + a n x n
analysis of this correlation aims at
establishing the degree in which the causal
where
variable influences the modification of the
a 0 – free coefficient;
effect variable [3].
a 1 , a 2 ..., a n – regression coefficients, which
There are several criteria for establishing the
show the average change with one unit of the
independences: the relation type (functional or
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endogenous characteristic x i , on the condition (high) is the correlative relation between the
that the influence of other factors in the characteristics.
regression’s model has been taken into The determination coefficient D = R2 shows
account and set at a medium level. the resulting index variation part (y) under the
x 1 , x 2 , ..., x n –independent variables, influence of the factorial indexes studied (x 1 ,
which influence the result. x 2 , ..., x n ).
The regression coefficients in the The partial determination coefficients are
complex equation are not comparable because calculated according to the formula:
of the different measurement units. In order to d i2 = ryxi ⋅ β i
identify the priority of the factors we
which determines the individual signification
determine the standardized regression
of each factor included in the model [5].
coefficients: elasticity coefficients and β-
In the sum of the partial determination
coefficients.
coefficients is included the multiple
Elasticity coefficients are determined
determination coefficient:
according to the following formulas: n
x x
Э1 = a1 1 , Э2 = a 2 2 etc.
∑d
i =1
i
2
= R2
y y
They show with how many percents the RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
resulting characteristic will be modified, if the
factor characteristic is modified with 1 %. The analysis of the multiple regression and
β -coefficients are determined as correlation gives us the possibility to point out
follows: the factors, whose modification brings about
σx σx enormous possibilities of altering the result
β 1 = a1 1 , β 2 = a 2 2 etc.,
σy σy characteristic. In multi-factorial models, in
where order to determine the priority of certain
σx 1 , σx 2 , ..., σx n – average square factors, we can arrange them according to the
deviation of the factors x 1 , x 2 , ..., x n . coefficients determined above (Э i ; β i , d i2 ),
σy – square deviation of the result y. and afterwards we will determine the average
Average square deviations are level of influence of those factors over the
determined according to the following result.
formulas: In elaborating the models which reflect the

σx i =
∑x 2
i
− ( xi ) 2 ,
phenomena of economic efficiency in
producing autumn wheat and in selecting the
n factors of these models we have taken into
consideration the following restrictions:
σy =
∑y 2
i
− ( y) 2
• characteristics which present
n functional interrelations haven’t been
included in the models;
where i = 1 ... n . • in the equation of the relation were
The value of the β-coefficient shows with how included factors which influence the result
many average square deviation y will be directly;
modified if x i is modified with only one • for each characteristic included in the
average square deviation. model there have been performed no less
The correlation coefficient of multiple than 10 observations;
relations (R) shows the qualitative relation • in the case of the factorial (exogenous)
between the endogenous and the exogenous characteristics which are closely
characteristics. The more this coefficient’s interrelated (that means there are collinear
value comes closer to 1, the more complete relations) only one factor has been
included in the equation of the relation
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(only the factor which is more closely - when the materials consumption per ha of
related to the result). autumn wheat is modified, the cost
When elaborating the relatively multi- decreases with 0.003 MDL;
factorial models, in order to establish the - when the factor “no. of combines used per
factors’ influence on modifying the indicators 100 wheat ha, units” is modified, the cost
of the economic efficiency of the autumn decreases with 10.41 MDL;
wheat production, the following effect - when the autumn wheat productivity is
(endogenous, resulting) characteristics have modified, the cost decreases with 0.227
been examined: MDL. (In all these cases, the condition at
y 1 – unit cost of 1 q autumn wheat, MDL work is that the other factors remain at a
y 2 – autumn wheat profitability level, %. medium level.)
In the case of the first mathematic model, The multiple correlation coefficient R = 0.648
there have been included measurable factors demonstrates the fact that between the unit
which have a significant influence on the unit cost of 1 q of autumn wheat and the
cost of 1 q of autumn wheat: exogenous factors included in the model there
x 1 – direct labor consumption per ha, persons- is a remarkable connection. The multiple
hours determination coefficient D = R2 = 0.4204
x 2 – quantity of fertilizer used per ha, kg, etc. shows that the variation of the unit cost of 1 q
x 3 – level of mechanization of the laboring of wheat is influenced buy the factors
processes, % included in the model at a rate of 42.04%.
x 4 – specialization level, % (according to the In order to determine the influence of the
structure of the income obtained after selling various factors in obtaining the result
the agricultural products) characteristic we determine the elasticity
x 5 – materials consumption per ha of autumn coefficients, the β-coefficients and the partial
wheat, MDL determination coefficients [7].
x 6 – no. of combines used per 100 wheat ha, a) Elasticity coefficients:
units - for x 1 (direct consumption of labor on 1 ha,
x 7 – autumn wheat productivity, q/ha persons-hours)
After processing the information with the help 42,305
of least – squares regression techniques we Э1 = −0,398 ⋅ = −0,205 ;
82,317
have obtained the following equation: - for x 2 (quantity of fertilizer used per ha, kg,
etc.)
y x , x ... x = −13,05 − 0,398 x1 − 0,175 x 2 + 1,294 x3 +
1 2 7
50,529
+ 0,607 x − 0,003 x − 10,409 x − 0,227 x . Э2 = −0,1748 ⋅ = −0,107 ;
4 5 6 7
82,317
- for x 3 (level of mechanization of the
The regression coefficients of this equation
laboring processes, %)
show that the unit price of 1 q of autumn
96,049
wheat decreases: Э3 = −1,2935 ⋅ = −1,509 ;
- when direct labor consumption is 82,317
modified with 1-person-hour, y decreases - for x 4 (specialization level, %)
with 0.398 MDL; 24,024
Э4 = −0,6073 ⋅ = −0,177 ;
- when the quantity of fertilizer used per 82,317
ha is modified with 1 kg, the 1 q cost -for x 5 (materials consumption per ha of
decreases with 0.175 MDL; autumn wheat, MDL)
- when the level of mechanization of the 2303,805
laboring processes is modified with 1 %, y Э5 = −0,0030 ⋅ = −0,084 ;
82,317
increases with 1.29 MDL;
- when the specialization level is modified - for x 6 (no. of combines used per 100 wheat
with 1 %, y increases with 0.607 MDL; ha, units)

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0,46 7,3296
Э = −10,4089 ⋅ = −0,053 ; σx 6 = − (0,416) 2 = 0,075
6 82,317 41
- for x 7 (autumn wheat productivity, q/ha) 34975
29,0 σx 7 = − (29) 2 = 3,417 .
Э7 = −0,2266 ⋅ = −0,080 . 41
82,317 Therefore,
The elasticity coefficients prove that: 2,754
- when direct labor consumptions are β 1 = −0,398 ⋅ = −0,243
modified with 1%, the average unit cost 4,504
9,534
will alter with 0.205 %; β 2 = −0,1748 ⋅ = −0,370
- when the quantity of fertilizer used per 4,504
ha is modified with 1%, the average unit 1,232
cost will alter with 0.107 %; β 3 = 1,2935 ⋅ = 0,354
4,504
- when the level of mechanization of the
5,193
laboring processes is modified with 1 %, β 4 = 0,6073 ⋅ = 0,700
the unit cost – with 1.509 %; 4,504
- when the specialization level is 200,091
β 5 = −0,003 ⋅ = −0,133
modified with 1 %, the average unit cost – 4,504
with 0.177 %; 0,075
- when the materials consumption per β 6 = −10,4089 ⋅ = −0,173
ha of autumn wheat is modified, the 4,504
3,471
average unit cost – with 0.084 %; β 7 = −0,2266 ⋅ = −0,175
- when the no. of combines used per 4,504
100 wheat ha is modified with 1%, the β -coefficients show that:
average unit cost – with 0.053 %; - if the direct labor consumptions per ha are
- when the autumn wheat productivity is modified to the size of its average square
modified with 1%, the average unit cost – deviation (with σ 1 ), then the unit cost will
with 0.083 %; modify with 0.243 σ y ;
b) We determine the β-coefficients according - if the quantity of fertilizer used per ha is
to the formula: modified to the size of its average square
σx deviation (with σ 2 ), then the unit cost will
βi = αi i modify with 0.370 σ y ;
σy
First of all, we shall determine the average - if the level of mechanization of the
square deviations for y, x 1 , x 2 ... x 7 : laboring processes is modified to the size
of its average square deviation (with σ 3 ),
278651
σy = − (82,317) 2 = 4,504 then the unit cost will modify with 0.354
41 σy;
73689,27 - if the specialization level is modified to the
σx1 = − (42,305) 2 = 2,754 size of its average square deviation (with
41
σ 4 ), then the unit cost will modify with
σx 2 =
108406,79
− (50,529) 2 = 9,534 0.700 σ y ;
41 - when the materials consumption per ha of
378304 autumn wheat is modified to the size of its
σx 3 = − (96,049) 2 = 1,232 average square deviation (with σ 5 ), then
41
the unit cost will modify with 0.133 σ y ;,
24769 - if the no. of combines used per 100 wheat
σx 4 = − (24,024) 2 = 5,193
41 ha is modified to the size of its average
219627704 square deviation (with σ 6 ), then the unit
σx 5 = − (2305,805) 2 = 200,091 cost will modify with 0.173 σ y ;
41 - if the autumn wheat productivity is
modified to the size of its average square
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deviation (with σ 7 ), then the unit cost will x 4 – specialization level, %
modify with 0.175 σ y . x 5 – merchandise production level:
The results of the comparative analysis
regarding the factor’s influence will be Yx 1 , x 2 ... x 5 = -32.49 + 6.96 x 1 + 0.57 x 2 +
presented by means of the table above. +0.019 x 3 – 0.32 x 4 – 0.0225 x 5
As we can notice on the basis of all the
coefficients we have calculated and of the The regression coefficients prove that the
determination of the average level of the profitability level increases:
factor’s influence we can thus prove the - with 6.96 %, when the no. of
priority of the x 3 factor – level of combines used per 100 wheat increases
mechanization of the laboring processes, %, with one unit y;
and of x 4 – specialization level. To conclude, - with 0.57 %, when the production cost
we will claim that the highest priorities on increases with 1 MDL;
modifying the unit cost per q of autumn wheat - y increases with 0.019 %, when the
is due to the complete mechanization of the autumn wheat profitability increases with 1
technological processes and to the enterprise’s q/ha;
focus on producing this culture [6]. - when the specialization level is
Table 1. Factor’s influence on the unit cost modified, the result alters with 0.32 %;
Coefficients value - when the merchandise production
N Factors
Эi βi d i2 level is modified with 1 %, the profitability
x 1 - Direct labor level increases with 0.02 %.
consumptions The coefficient R = 0.79 of the multiple
1 -0,205 -0,243 0,008
per ha, persons- correlation proves that there is a very close
hours relation between the level of the autumn
x 2 - Quantity of
fertilizer used
wheat profitability and the exogenous factors
2 -0,107 -0,370 0,007 included in the model. The multiple
per ha, kg, etc.
2
determination coefficient R = 0.6246 shows
x 3 - Level of that the variation of the autumn wheat
mechanization profitability level is influenced by factors
3 1,509 0,354 0,073
of the laboring
included in the model at 62.46 %.
processes, %
x4 - Thus it is proved the priority of the x 1 factor
4 Specialization 0,177 0,700 0,293 “No. of combines used per100 wheat ha” and
level, % x 2 “Production price of 1 q”.
x 5 - Materials
consumption per 0,000 CONCLUSIONS
5 -0,084 -0,133
ha of autumn 3
wheat, MDL
x 6 - No. of In conclusion, we may claim that the method
combines used of correlation and regression can solve the
6 -0,053 -0,173 0,047
per 100 wheat
ha, units following tasks:
x 7 - Autumn 1.Appreciate the existence, direction and the
wheat degree of interrelatedness between the
7 -0,080 -0,175 -0,011
productivity, economic processes;
q/ha 2.Measure the degree of variation of
endogenous of effect characteristics (Y)
In the case of the mathematic model of
under the influence of the exogenous
studying the profitability of the autumn wheat
characteristics or (X);
(y 2 ) the following factors have been included:
3.Calculate the total change of the result
x 1 – no. of combines used per 100 wheat ha,
characteristic under the influence of one or
units
more factors of influence.
x 2 – the production cost of 1 q, MDL
x 3 –autumn wheat productivity, q/ha
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4.The study of the economic efficiency of the
autumn wheat with the help of the
econometric models gives the possibility to
define the criteria for optimizing the land
consolidation in the agrarian sector of the
Republic of Moldova.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research work was carried out with the

support of Academy of Sciences of Moldova
and also was financed from Sate Project No.
10.840.08.03A.

REFERENCES

[1] Alvarez, A., Arias, C., 2003, Diseconomies of size

with fixed managerial ability. American Journal of
Agricultural Economics, 85 (1), pp. 134-142
[2] Thompson, S., Herrman, R., Gohout W., 2000,
Agricultural market liberalization and instability of
domestic agricultural markets: The case of CAP.
American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 82 (3),
pp. 718-726.
[3] Cimpoieş, D., Lerman, Z., 2008, Land policy and
farm efficiency: the lessons of Moldova. Studies on the
Agricultural and Food Sector in Central and Eastern
Europe. Leibniz Institut für Agrarentwicklung in Mittel
und Osteuropa (IAMO). Halle (Saale): IAMO, 2008,
vol. 44, pp. 603.
[4] Cimpoieş, D., 2008, Land policy and structural
changes Moldovan Agriculture: trends and
perspectives. The XIII International Interdisciplinary
Conference Unicity, uniformity and universality in the
identification of the landscape and cultural mosaic.
Università degli Studi di Udine – IPSALEM. Aquileia,
September 18-19th, 2008. On-line: http://web.uniud.it
/ipsapa/Convegno2008_ Relazioni.htm
[5] Coelli, T.,Prasada Rao,D.,O’Donnell, C., Battese,
G., 2005, An introduction to efficiency and
productivity analisys. Second edition., Springer, Berlin.
[6] Lerman, Z., Shagaida, N., 2005, Land reform and
the development of agricultural land markets in Russia,
in: BROSIG, S., HOCKMANN, H. (eds.): How
effective is the invisible hand? Agricultural and food
markets in Central and Eastern Europe, Studies on the
Agricultural and Food Sector in Central and Eastern
Europe, Vol. 31, Halle (Saale), pp. 270-302.
[7] Csaki, C., 1999, The status of agricultural reforms
in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet
Union, in: Tillack, P., Schulze, E. (eds.): Land
Ownership, Land Markets and their Influence on the
Efficiency of Agricultural Production in Central and
Eastern Europe, Studies on the Agricultural and Food
Sector in Central and Eastern Europe, Vol. 9, Kiel, pp.
10-30.
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STRATEGY FOR THE DANUBE REGION - CONTRIBUTION TO
IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE AND WORK OF ALL CITIZENS
OF THE LOWER DANUBE REGION
Cristiana SÎRBU

„The Ecological Initiative and Sustainable Development Group” Foundation , 13 September Street,
The Building of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Sector 5, Romania, Phone number: 0740 055
221, e-mail: cris_sirbu@yahoo.com, fundatiagie@yahoo.com
University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 59, Mărăşti Boulevard, Bucharest,
Sector 1, Romania, Phone: 0740 055 221, e-mail: cris_sirbu@yahoo.com, fundatiagie@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: cris_sirbu@yahoo.com

Abstract

This paper aims to raise awareness about the European Commission Strategy for the Danube Region, strategy
materialized in new opportunities and new potential, in particular as regards the strengthening of EU efforts to
overcome economic crisis in a sustainable manner. This paper presents the main proposals and recommendations made
by the European Economic and Social Committee for the Strategy in the Danube region, so that socio-economic
development, competitiveness, environmental management and increased resource efficiency can be improved, and
security and transport corridors, upgraded. European Parliament was established from the very beginning as a reliable
partner that will always ensure the future "development strategy of the Danube region. The strategy should make it a
region that truly belongs to the 21st century, secure and confident in their forces and one of the most attractive in
Europe.

Key words: Danube Commission, the European strategy, the Danube Delta, sustainable development, conditions of life

INTRODUCTION It contains more than 320 species of birds as

well as 45 freshwater fish species in its
Danube Delta (3446 km ²), located largely in numerous lakes and backwaters. This is where
Dobrogea, Romania, and partly in Ukraine, is millions of birds from different corners of the
the largest and best preserved of European Earth (Europe, Asia, Africa, and
deltas. Mediterranean) come to roost. Major species
Delta entered into the UNESCO world of fish in the Danube Delta are pike and
heritage in 1991 and is classified as a national catfish.
biosphere reserve as a national park in Delta population has a way of life unchanged
Romania and in international taxonomy of for centuries. Discrete human implantation
IUCN (International Union for Conservation has allowed amazing survival of the Delta
of Nature and Natural Resources). ecosystem. Large extent of waters explains
Delta vegetation is represented mainly by the low number of habitants.
specific vegetation that exists mostly in Fishing is a constant of human activity in the
wetlands (reed, bulrush, sedge, mixed with region. Exploitation of reeds and rushes is
dwarf willow) and covers 78% of the total. another branch of human activity.
Riverside coppices occupies 6% of the delta, The crop is practiced some areas and others
are forests of willow, ash, alder, poplar, which contain common land for farming.
grow on river levees, that are regularly Navigation and transport on the Danube
flooded, and the stitches covered by water are Channel are other concerns of residents.
occupied by floating aquatic vegetation (2% Danube Delta is a region of great beauty and
of the delta). There are also forests in Letea touristic attraction and has a real scientific
and Caraorman Fields that consist of gray interest. Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation
oak, ash, poplar, elm, climbing plants. is located on the 5th place among the Earth's
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wetlands and no. 2 in Europe, but regarding where was adopted “The European Strategy
the ecological importance is the third in the for the Danube Region” (reporting Miklos
world. Barabas - Group III - Hungary and Mihai
Manoliu - Group I - Romania, President of
MATERIAL AND METHODS CNPR and Secretary General ACPR).
The notification of EESC wants to seize the
Danube region has changed dramatically. opportunity given to the European civil
Recently, there have been waves of EU society by the European Commission to set
enlargement in 2004 and 2007. River Basin concrete practical proposals that would
that crosses most countries in the world is constitute a contribution to the Strategy's
now largely an area of the European Union. Action Plan for the Danube Region, currently
There are new opportunities and new developing. The Committee expects that
potential, in particular as regards future strategy should be a real contribution to
strengthening of EU efforts to overcome improving life and working conditions of all
economic crisis in a sustainable manner. citizens in the Danube region, which it
Socio-economic development, considers a mirror of Europe.
competitiveness, environmental management The main proposals and the recommendations
and increased resource efficiency can be made by the Committee for European Union
improved, and security and transport Strategy for the Danube Region were:
corridors, upgraded. Danube can open the EU 1. At the political level, the strategy planned
to immediate neighbors, the Black Sea region, for the Danube Region:
the South Caucasus and Central Asia. An EU  must have an open, inclusive and
strategy for the Danube region may contribute sensitive to social, economic and
to the EU objectives, strengthening the EU's environmental, to take into account
major policy initiatives, particularly Europe the recommendations of civil society
2020 Strategy. organizations and rely on their
Danube’s region development strategy is a experience;
long chain of consultation and debate that  given the complex and interdependent
would highlight the action plan of over 800 problems reached, can be effective
contributions received from the 14 countries: only if it consistently follows the
Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, principle of integrated approach,
Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, rather than sectorial point of views,
Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, and if highlights the need to achieve
Montenegro, Moldova, and Ukraine, countries the objectives of key stakeholders;
both inside and outside European  must stimulate and take account of the
Community. civil security cooperation in areas such
Thus, the countries of the Danube region as emergency services which work
expressed their commitment to creating a new together to cope with natural disasters,
macro-region that is considering a joint plan the mobility of workers, businesses,
of action that is based on four pillars and etc. or to prepare emergency plans to
focus on 11 priority areas. deal with environmental accidents;
European Parliament was established from the  must contribute to the fullest possible
very beginning as a reliable partner that will use of opportunities offered by the
always ensure the future "development Treaty of Lisbon like the consistent
strategy of the Danube region. application of the principle of
participatory democracy;
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS  must be an appropriate tool for:
 to contribute effectively, as a
On 16 of September 2010 was held in macro regional development
Brussels the Plenary Session of the European policies, towards deepening the
Economic and Social Committee (EESC) European integration, particularly
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in Europe 2020 Strategy (for  should contain events (meetings,
smart growth, sustainable and festivals, visits, exhibitions, fairs,
inclusive); etc..) in way to strengthen the people’s
 to get the six countries in the sense of belonging to the Danube
region that are not members region, building a regional
closer to the European Union, consciousness and maintaining
supporting them in their cultural diversity, with special
integration efforts; emphasis on youth; to achieve this
 should reflect the European Union objective it could help also a regional
policy at a macro level and, thus, and cultural publication;
active and creative contribution and  should be held annually in different
role of organized civil society; locations, a "Week of the Danube",
 must contribute to the harmonization which might be an appropriate forum
of activities already existing in the for discussing topical issues relating to
region, operating at different levels strategy for the Danube Region and to
and in different fields, for their present results;
efficiency and to avoid duplication;  to ensure continued support from
 its governance structure should be citizens and organized civil society in
clear, simple and transparent and both the EU and neighboring countries
allow bottom-up approach in terms of which are not EU members, is
organized civil society; required a communication strategy for
 must be implemented as a process that effective and permanent Danube
involves, during the course, flexibility region;
and regular review and, where  in developing programs under the
possible, additional financial Strategy for the Danube Region
resources; should pay attention to disadvantaged
 have to follow some realistic goals and marginalized groups, particularly
and establish priorities for effective Romani people;
implementation;  should strengthen cooperation and
 must have visible and tangible results systematic relations between actors in
for society and citizens to create better the region, as well as social and civil
living conditions and better jobs for dialogue; in this context, economic
citizens, including youth; and social councils at national level
 must reflect the importance of social can play an important role;
and civil dialogue;  Entrepreneurial Forum set up in the
 must recognize the importance of Danube region (Danube Business
connections in the Danube region; Forum), which would include social
 must take into account the experiences and economic actors, could be an
resulting from implementation of the important tool for achieving
EU Strategy for Baltic Sea region. cooperation and economic, social and
2. Practical recommendations on civil society, territorial cohesion in the region;
the planned strategy action plan for the employers organizations in the region
Danube Region: should access and should be
 should create a network of civil encouraged to participate in funding
society organizations in the region programs aimed at organizing this
(Civil Society Forum in the Danube forum;
region) to facilitate, among other  should contribute to strengthening
things, actions and projects; network human relations by further reducing
members would meet every year in the obstacles to free movement, even
another country in the region; eliminating them, and by applying the

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principles of decent work and fair adoption is scheduled for the first half
remuneration; of 2011, during the Hungarian
 to implement the Strategy for the presidency of the EU - can be a crucial
Danube region, would be valued tool for creating a dynamic,
achievements and information society competitive and prosperous region of
services; the Danube.
th
 should establish an international On 8 of December 2010 The European
research group, which will have as its Commission has approved and published the
task to examine and analyze the EU Strategy for the Danube region, reflected
scientific aspects of the strategy for in a Communication and Action Plan. The
the Danube region, its activities documents discussed and agreed at
should be supported through a Community level and which form the core of
scholarship program; regional cooperation on the Danube, is
 should consider how they can making concentrated efforts of riveran states,
correlate the different years and which together with the European
subjects of their programs with the Commission, analyzed and evaluated the real
European Union Strategy for the needs of the Danube region and proposed an
Danube region; agreed document at political and technical
 should support initiatives aimed at level.
teaching languages used in the region; The strategy proposes an Action Plan, which
 European Economic and Social requires a strong commitment from the states
Committee should establish an and stakeholders. The Commission will
observer or a study group to work produce a regular progress report. Therefore,
continuously and strategy to deal with actions and projects will be upgraded or
the Danube region; replaced as they are completed, making this
 implementation and monitoring the plan a flexible one. It points out the
Strategy for the Danube region importance of localized and integrated
previsions and its action plan should approach. Good connections between urban
be made by a management committee and rural infrastructure and equitable access
composed of representatives of civil to services and comparable living conditions,
society to submit its findings in annual promote territorial cohesion, which is now an
reports; explicit objective of the European Union.
 in conjunction with the adoption of the The consultation has identified a number of
Strategy for the Danube region, the proposals on different lines of action.
European Commission should support Commission, in partnership with Member
some pilot projects suitable for testing States, regions and other stakeholders has
and start acquiring experience; selected those that:
 Strategy funding towards the Danube  demonstrate immediate and visible
region and the provisions of the plan benefits for the habitants;
of action should come from various  have an impact on the macro-region
sources: with European funds (or significant portions thereof).
(primarily structural funds) may be Projects should, therefore, promote
taken into account countries' own sustainable development and to include more
funds in the region, private sources regions and countries;
and international financial institutions.  are coherent and mutually reinforcing,
Taking into account their contribution, creating suitable solutions for all
the Committee recommends parties involved
establishing a separate fund;  are realistic (technically feasible and
 European Economic and Social credible financing).
Committee considers that the Strategy
for the Danube region - whose
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The main problems are grouped into four context of the European Strategy for the
pillars. Each of them contains the priority Danube.
areas, specific areas of action. They are: International Commission for the Protection
 interconnection in the Danube region of the Danube River (ICPDR) is active in
 to improve mobility and preparing the proposed strategy for the
multimodality Danube and its implementation through a
 inland participatory approach from the heads of
 road links, rail and air delegations of the ICPDR and the Priority
 to encouraging more sustainable Area Coordinators recently nominated for the
energy European strategy for the Danube. ICPDR
 to promote culture and tourism, people are militating for prosperity and
direct contacts between people sustainable development in the Danube basin
 environmental protection in the in this region. This message from the ICPDR
Danube region has encouraged us and gave us hope of
 restoration and maintenance of cooperation to meet the challenges we face in
water quality this region.
 managing environmental risks In current times, development is a clear
 biodiversity conservation, component of the Strategy for the Danube
landscape and air and soil region.
quality Danube region has changed dramatically.
 increasing prosperity in the Danube Recently, the EU has enlarged. River Basin
region that crosses most countries in the world is
 knowledge-based society now largely an area of the European Union,
through research, education so there is a need to connect people, ideas and
and information technology needs in this region.
 support the competitiveness of A first start of making this strategy public was
enterprises, including the the organization of the Forum "Danube –
development groups restoration or damming? Optimal solutions”,
 investment in people and in which Mr. Mihai Manoliu as co-reporter of
skills the EESC opinion of civil society's position
 consolidation of the Danube region towards the future strategy, presented to the
 improving institutional public the public version of the new EESC
capacity and cooperation opinion on the strategy and action plan for
 cooperation to promote Danube region.
security and to resolve
problems posed by organized CONCLUSIONS
crime and serious crime.
The work I conducted as an executive Europe 2020 Strategy is essentially the EU's
president of the “Ecological Initiative and commitment towards creating jobs,
sustainable Development Group” Foundation, sustainable and inclusive growth, that this
I tried to put the entire population as much in strategy will reinforce. It has five main
touch with current reality, the act of objectives. They are: promoting employment,
awareness act representing a first step towards improving conditions for innovation, research
sustainable development. and development, addressing climate change
Our efforts were noticed even by Mr. Philip and energy goals, improving education, and
Weller, Executive Secretary, International promoting social inclusion in particular by
Commission for the Protection of the Danube reducing poverty and the problems posed by
River (ICPDR) who wanted to congratulate aging. Strategy with its vision for the Danube
the “Ecological Initiative and sustainable region in 2020, wants to achieve these
Development Group” Foundation , objectives. It supports sustainable growth by
considering our proposals very useful in the reducing energy consumption, increase use of
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renewable energy, modernizing the transport
sector by optimizing and improving its
environmental impact and promoting
ecological tourism. It helps to remove
obstacles to internal market and improve the
business environment.
Consistency with EU legislation and policies
are at the base of this strategy. It approaches
the implementation gap and practical and
organizational difficulties that lead to lack of
results. It supports better implementation of
EU legal obligations, in particular the single
market and the environment. The purpose and
the EU's strategy for biodiversity after 2010,
with its projection for 2050 and 2020 target,
are also consolidates a gateway to Europe and
the Asian neighbors, the region is essential in
supporting other EU external policies, in line
with European Neighborhood Policy and
regional initiatives (example: the Eastern
Partnership).
By 2020, all citizens of this region should
enjoy better prospects of higher education,
labor employment and prosperity in areas
where they live.
The strategy should make it a region that truly
belongs to the 21st century, secure and
confident in their forces and one of the most
attractive in Europe.

REFERENCES
[1] European’s Commission Communication on the
Danube Strategy
[2] Action Plan of the Strategy for the Danube region

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STUDIES CONCERNING POSSIBILITY ACCOUNT REGARDING THE
RURAL TOURISM AND THE EQUESTRIAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
IN ROMANIA

Petrică ŞTEFAN 1, Matei-Agathon DAN 2, Dragoş RĂDUCAN 3

1
University Of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, No. 59, Blvd. Marasti, 011464,
Bucharest, Romania, (+49) 021/2242815, 0723554321, stefanmarian2004@yahoo.com.
2
Employers Confederation of Industry of Romania CONPIROM, No. 48, Calea Victoriei, sect.
1, 010063, Bucharest, Romania, (+49) 021/3266089, conpirom@yahoo.com
3
Magest Tourism, No 4, Blvd. Dimitrie Cantemir, Bucharest, Romania, Tel: 021-336.70.04,
0744.544.056, Fax: 021-336.70.05, www.magest.ro

Corresponding author: stefanmarian2004@yahoo.com.

Abstract

Equestrian tourism represent a combination of rural tourism, agro tourism and ecotourism, which it has been
improved with success in many European countries and I hope as in future it will be improve in Romania too. From
my studies, which I have done arise that in some areas from countryside there is potential for the improvement of
equestrian tourism in: Bucovina, Transylvania, Calarasi and the littoral of the Black Sea. The present project
proposes to promote and to develop the equestrian practice in this areas, but also in others areas less known by
tourists.

Keywords: Equestrian Tourism, Rural Tourism, Agro tourism, Ecotourism

INTRODUCTION The main drawback derives from the

difficulty of quantitative assessment of
In Romania was a moment, after the qualitative expressions, respectively attractive
revolution from 1989, when the destiny of the or unusual exercise of different objectives or
breed horses became dramatically. The old views on the visitor's interest, note the bias
farms of breeding horses have been liquidated (characteristic of the human individual, so
and the valuable horses got into the custody of different from one individual to another,
a small local baron or they took the way of according to age, sex, level of culture,
Italy and they have been transformed in behavior, etc..) signing on a very wide
salami. spacing of each tourist options [Cocean,
The critical moment was surpassed and, 1999]. Add to this the complexity of the
today, we are taking part to an increase and typology of tourist resources, which prints a
training refreshing activities in some budget relatively any action that aims intrinsic
and private centers from Romania. appreciation of their attractiveness. As a
I chose as theme of project “equestrian result, it is necessary to complement them
tourism” because I consider that this subject with information on the particular application
has not been explored in doctrine and in of interest.
application [4]. Edward A. Bergman (1996) believes that the
tourism potential of an area, region depends
MATERIAL AND METHODS on the three "A's":
Attractions (Attraction) - components of
Despite numerous attempts to develop natural and human potential with attractive
methods to assess the tourism potential of a value;
territory held by the literature, the degree of Accessibility (accessibility) - accessibility of
relativity of the results is often pronounced.

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the area or region a tourist destination to Vt=
tourist flow generating areas;
Accommodation (based on accommodation,
catering, entertainment in terms of quality and
∑1 +∑ 2 + ∑ 3 +∑ 4 + ∑ 5 +∑ 6 + ∑ 7 + ∑ 8 = 100
0 −16 0 −5 0 −18 0 −8 0 −10 0 −8 0 − 24 0 −11
number).
b. The formula developed by Rosenberg where: Vt = value of tourism; Σ1 =
(1956), the attractiveness of an object (or morfoturistic fund; Σ2 = climatoturistic fund;
event) is the result of aggregation of the Σ3 = hidrogeographic tourism fund; Σ4 =;
importance of specific characteristics, the biogeographic tourism fund; Σ5 = cultural and
value associated with action and objects, historical tourism fund; Σ6 = ethnography and
namely instrumental perception of these folklore tourism fund; Σ7 = material basis; Σ8
characteristics. Graphic expression of the = potential communication.
model proposed by this author estimates is as
n RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
follows: Aj = ∑ (Vj ) x( Iij )
i =1
,
J.M. Miossec (1977) managed to draw very
where: Aj - the attractiveness of objects or
significant "conquest" of a geographic area
actions, Vi - the importance of feature i, IIJ -
with tourism potential of delivery through the
instrumentality alternative j relative to i, N -
development and impact of tourism activities
number of characteristics.
focusing on organization of space tourism. A
c. Ion Sandru (1970), the proposed formula
tourist space tourism can be defined as a
for estimating the potential of tourism,
region (regional tourist area) since there is a
believes that it only covers material and
significant tourist presence, adequate
technical basis of tourism: the
reception facilities, where the organization of
accommodation, catering, treatment and
transport and services (and sometimes the
recreational infrastructure.
economy in general) is partly or wholly
P = Ii x Id x Ia
subordinate tourism (tourist activities).
Ii - indicate the ranking of area attractions;
Tourist region is a functional space; its image
Id- the index of equipment;
is printed on all the natural and anthropogenic
Ia-affordability index.
components, more or less homogeneous and
Unfortunately, the tourism fund analysis
continuous. Between known and large
omitting elements of this formula gives a high
complex regions of interest (Black, Delta,
degree of relativity, the ranking value of
etc.) easily fixed by geographical boundaries,
tourism resources is influenced by the bias,
and regions of interest "pioneers" with
often pronounced, the person appointed to
indeterminate boundaries, there are several
appreciate. In contrast, an index of
types of regions or regional tourist areas.
accessibility and equipment quantification is
possible.
d. Based on using a formula based on ideal
tourist Ciangă model, has made an estimate of
the tourism potential of the Carpathians. The
complexity of this model derives from an
integrated analysis and providing value
indexes the entire set of geographical-
conditioning analyzed tourist territory,
grouped in eight categories, 24 subcategories
and not more than 95 attractive value items by
which to obtain 100 counterpoints.

Photo 1 Arabian thoroughbred

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Until recently, in our country, particularly the varieties and breeds in the making, and there
horse was used for work. But with the are four independent deposits with public
accession of Romania to N.A.T.O. was breeding stallion.
drafted the law 389/2005 of the horse, and There is a huge diversification of the tourism
was published on January 5, 2006. Law that event horse and leading the design and
results in a Romanian citizen to understand promotion of tourism from various programs.
that this noble animal is not just for work, but Depending on country, age or sex, is
the horse may be seen as a friend of man, it preferably one or another of travel programs
can be used for recreation, tourism, equestrian offered horse.
tourism and thus to grow. Not necessarily for Our country has great potential in this area
the sport that not everyone in sport, elite much more than that of Spain, Austria and
sport, it's not easy to make the equestrian Hungary, precisely because there are a
sport, but equestrian tourism is easy to do. number of years organized units as horse
Equestrian tourism is an area with great studs which can complement the substantial
development opportunities in a country that revenue by delivering biological material to
for many Westerners is an ideal place of conduct equine tourism.
refuge (at reasonable prices) in rural and
nature. This is the explanation that, although Currently underway are preferred as areas of
the riding clubs first opened near the capital equine tourism, Bukovina, Transylvania and
(Riding Club in Bucharest in 1994 and southern Black Sea coast.
Ecvalahis in1998), the trend in recreational The prospect of developing this type of
riding has been away from large cities and tourism in our country is linked to improving
forms of entertainment offerings to include the facilities related to accommodating
the pleasure of riding, and thrill of adventure tourists, advertising in foreign magazines and
in the mountains or woods, and why not overall image of Romania abroad.
fashion tourism. Because the progress of the whole tourism
Romania is known for thoroughbred race program involved a number of institutions and
horses, but is necessary to do something for companies from various industries, increase
their growth and become profitable. Our the number of tourists is good for all these
country has eight blood lines very important bodies. [1]
and appreciated throughout the world,
namely: Conversano, Favory, Maestoso, CONCLUSIONS
Neapolitano, Pluto, Siglavy-Caprioli, Tulipan
and Incitato. Breeds of horses for recreation Equestrian tourism is a kind of ecological
will be developed in Romania, with economic tourism, which has developed well in various
growth and welfare. countries and begins to develop in Romania.
In most countries with state support growth It is a kind of tourism that reinstating money
and improve the ways the organization at the in rural areas. Statement of horses in
appropriate selection of horses. In our agriculture will depend on the agricultural
country, direct state intervention to support area, type of agriculture, agricultural area. No
horse breeding and improvement is the matter how much it will automate agriculture;
organization and maintenance of nursery and there will always be forms of agriculture in
stud farm stud deposits. certain areas for certain crops in certain areas,
The Emergency Ordinance no.139/17 which will require heavy horse traction.
October, 2002, adopted by the Government, In Romania, the horses working in the rural
the National Forest took over management of households are not always in the Light
race horses owned by the state. There are 17 Heavyweight category and heavy horses, but
units to date horse racing, the elite firm, for the future I hope that farmers will choose
respectively 13 studs (Stud Balc is the paths that were created specifically to
unpopulated) which increased 14 pure breeds, work, drive horses. Varieties of semi-heavy

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horses and heavy horses are used with great
success in tourism. For a massive horse is also
calmer and wiser, can be used both for riding
and for carriages specially built for tourists.
The horse is an intelligent animal, powerful
and was serving the man from immemorial
time. Our duty to those we are close to these
animals is to prove our love. In equestrian
sport today is how the man keeps in touch
with this noble animal: horse.
Equity is a blend of art and sport.
Equity is a noble sport, where patience,
passion and resilience are the basic qualities.
Women love this sport because of its elegance
and work with one of the most popular
animals: the horse. Another advantage is to
substitute an alternative fitness classes more
enjoyable. Thus, riding tones muscles,
improves circulation and spinal cord reflexes
and practice. [7]

REFERENCES

[1]Antonoaie Niculaie, Tiberiu Foris, Romeo

Cretu, 2005 "Management in Tourism.
Ecotourism - part of modern tourism",
Psihomedia Publishing House, Sibiu.
[2] Cretu Catalin Romeo, 2005 "Agro Resources,
University Publishing House, Bucharest
[3] Mărginean George Emil - "Riding". Didactic
and Pedagogic, Bucharest 1999.
[4] Mărginean George Emil - "Horse riding and
sport", Courses 1994.
[5] Mărginean George, George Georgescu,
Marius Maftei - "Guide for the operation of
practical work horse", Agrotechnics Publishing
House 2005.
[6] Graduation Thesis "Equine tourism - design
and launch a new tourism product in Romania",
graduate: Dr. Ing Mărginean George, supervisor:
Prof. Dragomirescu Ilona - expert in tourism,
1997.
[7] Mărginean George - "Treaty hippology, Vol
1, Ed. Orion, Bucharest.
[8] National Institute of Statistics – "Romania
tourism - shortlist statistical" 2000-2009.
[9] Review the Country Holidays, 2007, 2008.

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THE ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES’
LEGISLATION PROVISIONS REGARDING RURAL TOURISM

Petrică ŞTEFAN 1, Carmen MORARU 2, Dragoş RĂDUCAN 1

1
University Of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, No. 59, Blvd. Marasti, 011464,
Bucharest, Romania, (+49) 021/2242815, 0723554321, stefanmarian2004@yahoo.com.
2
Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism, General Department for Tourism Promotion,
No.38, Blvd. Dinicu Golescu, 010873, Bucharest, Romania, Tel.:+4(021)20.70.741, Fax:
+4(021)20.70.742, e-mail: promovare@mturism.ro
3
Magest Tourism, No 4, Blvd. Dimitrie Cantemir, Bucharest, Romania, Tel: 021-336.70.04,
0744.544.056, Fax: 021-336.70.05, www.magest.ro
Corresponding author : stefanmarian2004@yahoo.com
Abstract

In this paper we aim at analysing the main legislation provisions in the most important European Union countries,
regarding rural tourism and agrotourism. The purpose of this analysis is o identify the best solutions for the
development of agrotourism in our country. From the performed analysis, it results that in the most representative
European countries, in terms of rural tourism, regulations are very clear, even if they are different from one country
to another. This is practically the basis for the boom in the development of rural tourism and agrotourism in the
past few decades. The main conclusion is that in Romania we must also promote clear, unitary regulations, without
which the development of agrotourism in no possible.

Key words: rural tourism, legislation, European Union, agrotourism.

INTRODUCTION European Union countries, regarding rural

tourism and agrotourism.
Regarding the accommodation inn the rural The purpose of this analysis is o identify the
environment, we notice certain evolutions best solutions for the development of
which can raise problems: agrotourism in our country [1].
-the decrease in and ageing of the population, In the EU space, the reception structures are
which risk reducing the local development; diverse and differentiated according to the
-the peasant houses reconstruction and specificity of the offer: rural tourism, in
refurbishing programmes for receiving general, or farm-based tourism (agrotourism).
foreigners imply an optimum accommodation, -In addition to the small-holder’s farm there
modernisation, regrouping of houses and a may be other accommodation facilities
collective offer for local services. belonging to a small-holders’ association,
-the initiatives are taken by the central tourist other natural persons or local communities.
organisations, which can further lead to a -Accommodation facilities generally bear a
village standardisation from a tourist point of certain quality logo, which corresponds to the
view; association promoting them.
-in certain EU countries, there is a multitude
of strategies and labels for the rural tourist RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
offer, each region wanting to customise their
own products as compared to similar regional In Germany
ones. These initiatives are justified by the The special offer for rural tourism is Holiday
search for a regional “tourist identity” [3]. in the peasant establishment, which reflects
the features of the farm, in which the tourist
MATERIAL AND METHODS wants to find small and draft animals, own
In this paper we aim at analysing the main products, regional specialties, personal
legislation provisions in the most important contact with the host, atmosphere typical of
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the peasant establishment. The Rural Tourism camping sites are provided by village and
product defines all the offers in the rural town halls (6 locations) or prefectures (25
environment, not strictly related to the peasant EUROGITES –Fédération Européene de
establishment. Holidays are offered in non- Logement Rural, Report, 2009);
farming establishments, stays on holiday - The reception farm is an agricultural
houses, private houses, holiday lodgings are enterprise with family character, which
offered. The most common type of provides an area of at least 300 m2 for the
accommodation in the rural environment is stay, with easy access, floricultural and tree
the tourist hose (5-6 rooms with 10-12 places) vegetation which supplies the shade,
within the farm. In addition to the house, the everything being located near the farm. The
farmer can also organise other types of equipment (sanitation, cleaning, maintenance)
accommodation within the farm: equestrian must be of a high quality and provide good
farms, camping, inn-farms, etc [2]. hygiene and an agreeable and attractive
In France there are already the following atmosphere.
types of accommodation in the rural - Stopovers (gîtes) are lodgings organised in
environment:The inn-type farm, The stay-in buildings which are not used for farming
farm, The equestrian farm, The reception purposes. These are registered under the Gîtes
Farm, Camping on the reception farm, de France brand; they group over 30,000
Stopovers (gîtes rurales) owners with about 50,000 places and target
- The inn-type farm, which represents a the holiday-makers who stay near a farm or
establishment which has important areas of village. There are various types: rural
land and an adequate building. It can be stopover (36,000 stopovers), camping on the
managed by several farmers and he workforce farm (1000), refuge stopover (600), children
is concentrated in family association; stopover (460), fishing stopover (150), guest
- The stay-in farm, which includes three rooms (6600).
compulsory reception elements In Spain, accommodation in the rural
(accommodations, meals, leisure) and targets environment is provided through rural
holidays or week-ends. The reception of stopovers, equestrian farms, inn-farms,
tourists (in a small number) is made in a guest rooms grouped in Basque Agrotourism
family atmosphere, and it does not affect the and Balearic Agrotourism Associations [3].
farming activity. Outside it must look In Great Britain, accommodation at citizens’
agreeable, with plenty of flowers and places in the rural environment including
vegetation, it must observe the local style; the breakfast (the so-called “Bed and Breakfast”)
maximum number of rooms is five, with an has become an institution and there are over
area of 10 m2 per room, which must have at 400 accommodation facilities (houses,
least one bathroom with a shower; equestrian farms, farm camping sites, guest
- The equestrian farm – is the rural rooms).
establishment which can provide facilities for In Belgium, the accommodation activity at
learning and practicing how to ride a horse, citizens’ places is considered a way of
with accommodation and meals. It is managed marketing the cultural heritage in the rural
and organised by several farmers who can environment, in order to stop the rural exodus.
become partners; As representative accommodation facilities,
- Camping in the reception farm. Under this there are: farm houses, rural stopovers, farm
title, the Agriculture and Tourism Association camping sites, the inn-farm, guest rooms,
brings together Camping on farm and in children stopovers.
natural camping areas. The farmers have the In Luxembourg, tourist accommodation at
possibility to receive guests, friends and other citizens’ places represents the most useful
people who do camping and caravan camping activity in rural tourism development, because
on their land. In addition to this it targets the increase in the reception capacity
accommodation, though the Camping on the (especially in the poor areas in the hotels or
farm and in natural camping areas Charter, where there is excess labour). Farm houses,
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rural houses (stopovers) and guest rooms are equipment, etc., most often made as a lessee
used. promoter on the commune land;
In Greece, according to the Greek National - Village de Vacances (holiday villages) –
Tourism Office, in the non-urbanised regions, represent the set of buildings which are the
the accommodation activity at citizens’ places object of a global business with a commercial
(citizens who work mainly in farming) brings character or not, meant to provide holiday
a plus in revenues as a result of stays and loisirs;
accommodating and selling craftsman and Holiday villages without a lucrative
farm products (farm houses, guest rooms). purpose (for children). They must have a
In Ireland, the accommodation at citizens’ minimum of set of equipment and services,
places is considered a way of marketing, from such as: hot water equipment, rest rooms;
a tourist perspective, the rural houses (farms preparing the menu for children and the
and peasant houses) and the village in general possibility to provide food services that are
by means of farm camping sites, equestrian different form those for adults; playgrounds
farms, guest rooms. for children;
In Portugal, Turihalle brings together the - Dispersed villages – they are the set of
owners of the old manor houses, providing a varied lodgings, collective services, loisir and
permanent contact with Portugal’s history and entertainment equipment placed on an area of
old traditions. It also operates in order to land covering several communes grouped in
preserve the country’s architectural and an organisation and management single
cultural heritage. feature.
The general camping regulation Other regulations
In Germany, the general camping regulation In most countries the regulatory provisions
does not provide a clarification thereof at are in favour of rural inns and hotels,
national level. Yet, the sanitary conditions are considered “social life sites and local
checked by the administration. development cores“[1].
In Greece, camping is little encouraged for These may be: private, grouped in chains,
reasons related to environment and tourist associations, owned by local groups.
areas protection. As a particular feature, Hotels or inns can be set up in: old village
almost all the camping sites are at the seaside. mills, castles and manor houses, under the
In Great Britain, camping has a long form of guest houses. The rural space
tradition, beginning with farm camping and becomes more and more a privileged
ending with veritable hotels located in the environment for the high-class traditional
open. It is worth mentioning that caravaning hotel equipments: PARADORES in Spain,
is strongly developed. POUSADAS in Portugal, RELAIS ET
In Italy, because the constitution confers CHATEAUX in France, HEALTH FARMS
autonomy to the regions, the classification of in Great Britain. In order to avoid over-
camping sites is made according to the marketing and anarchic competition, it is
various criteria, according to the respective required to set and observe certain technical
region. norms for each rural hotel and inn formula.
The holiday villages regulation Tourist demand analysis
Holiday villages benefit from a partnership Professional associations study the tourists’
with the local communities and they are co- socio-professional structure, which actually
funded from public and social funds. illustrates the tourist market for rural tourism
Types of tourist villages adopted by the offers.
French terminology (Gîtes Eurovillager): Germany
- Village de Gîtes (“stopover” villages) – Summer tourists represent 85% of the total, of
groups of communal lodgings organised as whom:50% have a 10–15-day stay, 26% a 14
villages, completed with restaurants, parks for –20-day stay, resulting in an average 10-12-
the children, meeting rooms, sports day stay/tourist.

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We notice an increased seasonality, the CONCLUSIONS
preferred months being June-August.
Regarding the clients, they represent the From the performed analysis, it results that in
middle class, families with children (80%), the most representative European countries, in
intellectuals, workers and elderly persons. In terms of rural tourism, regulations are very
terms of the age, 20% are below 30. clear, even if they are different from one
In France country to another.
The French represent 89% of the clients, This is practically the basis for the boom in
preferring the off-season and accommodation the development of rural tourism and
with relatives, friends, a second residence. agrotourism in the past few decades.
Foreigners arrive in July-September and stay The main conclusion is that in Romania we
in rural hotels and camping sites. The holiday must also promote clear, unitary regulations,
in the countryside is not an ideal option for without which the development of
the French (11.4% compared to 40.7% for the agrotourism in no possible [4].
seaside and 27.5% for the mountains).
Nevertheless, an investigation performed by REFERENCES
the National Federation of Tourist Offices and
Initiative Unions (FNOTSI) indicated that [1]Creţu Romeo Cătălin, 2005, Legislaţie în alimentaţie
“the holiday in the countryside” is preferred publică şi agroturism, Editura Ceres, Bucuresti,
by more and more tourists. The clients Capitolul 3, p. 90-93
[2] Kotler,P./Bowen,J./Makens,J, 2002, Marketing for
motivated by this form of tourism are part of Hospitality and Tourism, (3rd ed.) Prentice Hall, p.
the middle and high social classes 123-125
(management staff, teachers, freelancers) [3] Stabler, M, 2006, Tourism and Sustainability:
generally aged 25-45. Britons, Germans, Principles to Practice, Cabi Publishing, Wallingford, p.
Belgians arrive from abroad [2]. 234-236
[4] – Ordinul ministrului pentru IMM, comerţ, turism şi
In Belgium, the “holidays in the countryside” profesii liberale nr. 636/2008 pentru aprobarea
clients come from the middle and high Normelor metodologice privind clasificarea structurilor
classes, they are of all ages, including families de primire turistice, în “Monitorul Oficial al
with children, from the country (60%), României”, partea I, nr. 379 bis, 2008.
Holland (20%), Denmark (12%).
In Denmark, they have clients representing
families with average incomes (50%) and
with children (50%). The British (50%) with
average incomes arrive in the off-season.
In Spain, in the Basque Country, tourists
have average incomes and liberal professions.
The tourists’ age is of: 20–30 (50%), 30–40
(30%) and over 40 (20%).
In Great Britain, the clients are local people
(90%), with average incomes and the age
between 15–30.
In Ireland, there are tourists with higher
incomes, freelancers, teachers, journalists of
all ages from countries such as: The USA,
Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Europe).
In Italy, the tourist demand is dominantly
local (75%), but also from other European
countries; it results form families with
average incomes.

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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN TOURISM AND RURAL
TOURISM DURING ECONOMIC CRISIS (2008-2010)

Maria STOIAN

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest

59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail: prof.maria.stoian@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the evolution of world tourism in crisis years (2008-2010), then comparing
the data with the evolution of rural tourism for the same period. For this, we used statistical data provided by the
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), EUROGITES - European Federation of Rural Tourism, ANTREC -
National Association of Rural, Ecological and Cultural Tourism and National Institute of Statistics. By analyzing
the data, we identified that, although tourism has been affected to some extent by the economic crisis we face, rural
tourism hasn’t suffered equally, to say the fact that many ordinary people have given up their regular holidays,
focusing on the rural areas, where they can enjoy lower prices, but also special experiences. In conclusion, we can
say that rural tourism is the tourism branch with the greatest impact in the period 2008-2010, and this trend still
seems to be the case. Another observation is the fact that rural tourism hasn’t been adversely affected by the crisis,
the proof of this being the higher degree of occupancy in guesthouses, but also the increase of the accommodation
capacity of the villages every year.

Keywords: tourism, rural tourism, economic crisis

INTRODUCTION years, from 2008 to 2010, but in some places

we also referred to previous years because we
Rural tourism has become, since the 90s, a wanted to emphasize the differences occured.
major branch of the tourism industry in our In that sense, we used the statistical
country, reaching the similar phenomenon information from ANTREC Romania, as well
from other European countries. If, at first, this as those provided by the World Tourism
growth didn’t seem to be a long term one, the Organization (UNWTO), EUROGITES -
idea was slowly accepted by the peasants, European Federation of Rural Tourism and
who have turned households in locations INS - the National Statistics Institute. All
receiving guests. However, over the past three these have been interpreted and analyzed so
years, because of global economic crisis and that we can see which was, is and will be the
of the way it has affected several economic influence of the crisis on rural tourism.
branches, including that of tourism, was
revealed the fact that more and more rural RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
areas became one of the most attractive
destinations, being preferred by all categories In the second half of 2008, global tourism
of people. Also, tourism in villages continued began to suffer major decreases regarding the
to develop in the same way that did before the number of tourists, the duration of their
beginning of the crisis, as a proof of the fact holidays become shorter and they decided to
that it can face these times. shift locations. Tourism crisis became more
acute in 2009, and this decline has been felt in
MATERIAL AND METHODS Europe more than in other parts of the world
(Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). [2]
To make a comparison between the ways how
economical crisis has affected tourism and
rural tourism, we used certain indicators
whom we've applied of several European
countries. Period taken into account is of 3

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this fact has also contributed the fact that

many business meetings and events of the
large corporations have moved to the
countryside. [1]
Thus intervenes a parallel between tourism
and rural tourism, with a few essential points:
Fig. 1 – International Tourist Arrivals, monthly evolution  the low cost of rural tourism means that
Fig. 2 – International Tourist Arrivals in Europe, monthly it can pass more easily over such periods
evolution  rural tourism does not involve travel
over long distances
In 2010, the number of international tourist
 accommodation capacity of the lower
arrivals was estimated to have reached 935
board is a plus, since it does not involve
million, up 58 million (+6.7%) compared with
major expenditure
2009 (877 million) and 22 million (+2.4%)
For our country, we have illustrated the
more than during the pre-crisis peak year
evolution of tourism with the help of Table 1,
2008. [2]
which shows the evolution of the
As was perhaps natural, in time of crisis,
accommodation capacity of the existing units.
people were less willing to spend large sums
Analyzing it, we can see that in 2009, in a
of money for business trips or family
crisis, hostel accommodation capacity
vacations. In this context, the most
increased by 17% compared to 2008, this
advantaged were low-cost units, but with the
increase was significantly higher than that
lowest prices, to which tourists were able to
recorded in 2008 compared to 2007, whose
refocus.
value was less than 10%. [3]
One of the possibilities was and still is the Table 1 – Existing accommodation capacity in Romania
holiday on guesthouses from rural areas,
because the large variety of locations provides
the possibility to satisfy all demands of a
family, and the price for a package of services
is satisfying.
Owners of guesthouses and private farms, and
they felt good moment, such as increased
accommodation capacity that already owned,
diversified culinary offerings and leisure
activities, have turned to new methods of
promotion, etc. [4]
These trends are maintained in all European
countries which are members EUROGITES.
The data provided at the end of 2010, we CONCLUSIONS
conclude that, as in Romania, and countries
like France, Spain, Austria, Germany, 1. Rural tourism is a very important part of
Hungary, the crisis was felt in two key tourism, both in our country and in Europe
moments: in a first phase in early 2009 Was 2. The trend of rural tourism imposed during
felt a drop of about 2% in terms of the crisis years (2008-2010) was a continuous
employment, but recovery came almost progress, mainly due to the advantages it has
instantly, and even led to greater demand. To over other forms of tourism

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3. Some steps have been taken at national and
European levels, aimed to prevent crisis in
rural tourism, but tourists shifts was one that
made the difference
4. For the coming years provided a recovery
of tourism, as it was already 2010 and rural
tourism will continue to develop higher
5. We can say that this financial crisis was an
opportunity for rural tourism

REFERENCES

[1] x x x – EuroGites Survey – Business Development

2010/2011
[2] x x x – UNWTO World Tourism Barometer,
January 2011, ISSN 1728-9246
[3] x x x – National Institute of Statistics, Statistical
Yearbook of Romania, 2008-2010
[4] x x x – Statistical Data from ANTREC Romania

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MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: THE
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Paula STOICEA, Maria STOIAN

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest

59 Marasti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88.

Corresponding author: stoiceapaula@yahoo.com

Abstract

One of the most commonly referred to positive aspects of the tourism and recreation industry is its contribution to
the reduction of the differences at the level of development among regions in any country. Indeed, tourism can
develop in lagging and remote areas, thus creating income and jobs that would not become otherwise available. The
contribution of visitors in such cases is very important and in both quantitative and qualitative aspects much more
significant that the change that the same visitors would induce in an already developed region. There is a variety of
tangible economic effects, both direct and indirect, of the expenditures arising from tourism recreation, including
jobs, income, investment and tax revenues. The direct effects concern lodging, restaurants, transportation,
entertainment and retail trade. The secondary effects refer to a very wide array of sectors in the economy: increase
of production, resources, sales and number of jobs, increase of prices, demand due to the diversity of merchandise
and services.

Keywords: rural tourism, economic impact, direct effects, indirect effects.

INTRODUCTION alternative, in the long run the orientation

Sustainable tourism is a tourism development towards a recreation based economy might
or activity that respects and helps to preserve, not be the best option. Instead, modernising
in the long term natural, cultural and social the primary sector in a lagging region might
resources and contributes positively and constitute a more sustainable solution. In
equitably to the economic development and other regions, introducing a solid industrial
general benefit of those individuals who live, base (different than the industry or handicraft
work and stay in the locality. [1] complementing the recreation industry) might
In Romania there are many traditional also be better. In general, the assumption that
villages, which may be called eco-villages. any lagging region will either evolve to
Eco-village is a rural community who strive to become a tourism destination or not develop
integrate a supportive social environment with at all, is applicable only in extreme cases of
a low-impact way of live. Romanian village regions where indeed there is not any other
with tourist vocation in particular, is a unique prospect. Judging from experience at
tourism product, equally for as well as international level, the necessary
national and global market. [2] Rural tourism preconditions for the tourism and recreation
in 2008 compared to 1996 registered an industry to become the key sector in a region
increase of accommodation in hostels for rural and catalyse development could be
tourism in 1996-1348 to 61 rural touristic summarised as follows:
boarding houses, the level of accommodation - Various sectors of the local productive
capacity from 332 places in 1996 to 16906 system should be already well developed and
places in 2008. [3] competitive enough to be able to fully exploit
On the other hand, it has been suggested that the opportunity of linkages with the growing
although in the short term the use of natural or tourist industry;
man-made attractions for attracting tourists is - The local tourism sector should include
the easiest and fastest development business entities of small to medium size,

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preferably owned and controlled by local much as possible local people and other
people or institutions; inputs. Visitors’ demand has no significant
- The tourism and recreation industry should positive effect for the destination unless there
be growing locally in parallel with other is local supply which is based on diversified
productive sectors. local economy.
- The demand for the local tourist “product” Tourism expenditure is directly channelled to
should not be diminishing. the following sectors:
-service sector, including lodging and
MATERIAL AND METHODS entertainment, provided locally, the impact of
the relevant expenditure is most directly felt,
This paper is on the role that tourism and particularly in terms of employment since
recreation industry (referred to as a complex recreation businesses are labour intensive.
of economic activities) can play in the -trade (wholesale and retail) sector through
economic development of a geographical area. the purchase of various goods;
The analysis consists reviews briefly the -real estate sector through capital investment
economic, social and environment impacts of in real estate for the construction of recreation
the tourism industry, and also the direct and facilities and vacation houses – this
secondary effects on employment and expenditure effects the local tax base and
incomes at regional level and the notion of creates jobs within the construction industry.
multiplier. There is a series of economic impacts taken
less often into consideration, including rise of
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS prices in the host region, mainly in the
housing and retail sector, increase in the
Economic impacts. It has been estimated that variety of services and goods available in the
over half of tourism expenditure is spent on local market and changes in property and
accommodation and food. This in practice other local taxes.
means that the sector is comprising mainly Social impacts. The social factors in the
service and trade activities which are relative tourism industry might include three sets of
easy to entry and this in turn means a great independent variables:
number of enterprises, small in size, with low Visitor’s profile: social and demographic
capital intensity and productivity. The characteristics, typology, motivation for
magnitude of the economic impact of the travelling and stereotypes due to
recreation industry at local level is determined advertisement.
by four main factors: Visitors-residents interface: visitors’
Location and nature of the resources: the behaviour, cultural, social and economic
ability of a destination to attract visitors is difference, servility, stereotypes,
proportional to its appeal and inversely commercialisation, competition, exploitation,
proportional to its time distance from the concentration in time and space.
residence of the potential visitors. Structure and characteristics of the tourism
Volumes of visitors: this depend on the factors sector, control of the market by tour
mentioned before. operators, ratio of international visitors,
Visitors’ spending: this is a function of the national and local policies.
variety of things to see and do in the These would jointly generate the social
destination. Although the available family impacts that can be traced in the following
income of visitors is also of importance, this fields: social structure, culture and tradition,
is not the crucial factor determining their occupational structure, social mobility,
amount of expenditure while on holiday. urbanisation, social standards, demonstration
Expenditure retained locally: there depends effect, environment, built space, economic
on the capacity of the local productive system dependence, professional mobility.
to accommodate the visitors’ demand for Environmental impacts. Major tourist
goods and services locally and employed as destinations include areas with exceptional
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natural resources or man-made environment fees imposed on tourists, businesses and
and great scenic beauty. Since visitors value households. The recreation industry is not
are attracted by nature, it follows that uniform and there is much variation in the
destinations are protected and kept from direct employment effect of different tourism
ecological decline. Tourism generated businesses, as some are more labour intensive
revenues are expected to allow for that others. It seems that hotel and motels may
preservation and restoration, to the benefit of offer more jobs, whereas restaurants and
visitors and residents alike. The public cafeterias produce slightly less jobs.
perception of tourism is one of a “cline” Nevertheless, it should be noted that most
industry: hotel, restaurants and shops new jobs in the tourism establishments would
discharge much less pollutants that factories. not require highly skilled employees (with the
But tourism can degrade the environment, exception of those at management positions)
since overuse and visitor generated pollution and would not be appropriate for well trained
can deplete local resources, thus undermining and qualified local people, who would still
the capacity of the host regions to attract need to look for employment elsewhere.
tourists. The negative environment impacts of Recreation offers directly two kinds of work
tourism can be outlined as follows: and income: earnings for proprietors and jobs
Pollution of soil, water and air due to for employees. Disposable income of the
improper disposal of solid and liquid waste, employees is dependent on the wage level as
lack of treatment plants, increased road traffic well as the duration of employment, which in
and energy production and consumption. general is limited by the seasonal character of
Visual pollution due to alteration of landscape the industry.
appearance by construction, billboards, etc. Tax revenues from recreation activities
Noise pollution due to increased traffic and constitute a significant contribution to the host
overcrowding. area. In particular, real estate taxes from
Exhaustion of natural carrying capacity. recreation enterprises and vacation houses
Exhaustion of the capacity of technical provide most of the local tax income, whereas
infrastructure. other taxes provide mainly income for
Increased demand for land, especially for national authorities. Real estate tax revenues
prime locations, leading to reduction of land depend mainly on the magnitude of the
available for other uses (for agriculture). invested capital and the corresponding value
Flora and fauna can be destroyed. of the assets. Vacation houses are in general
Historic sites and buildings or monuments can more highly assessed than others in the same
be degraded due to excessive visitation. area, since as a rule they are newer and better
Also, measuring the economic impacts of constructed. Tax income from recreation
tourism at regional level is achieved through enterprises vary with investment, but usually
direct and indirect effects on the region. exceed revenues from other local commercial
There is a variety of tangible economic establishments. A considerable negative fiscal
effects, both direct and indirect, of the impact is the cost of road improvement and
expenditures arising from tourism recreation, maintenance, traffic control, garbage
including jobs, income, investment and tax collection and disposal, maintenance of local
revenues. The direct effects concern lodging, public Parks and buildings, and provision of
restaurants, transportation, entertainment and utilities (if this is within the competences of
retail trade. The secondary effects refer to a local authorities). In each case, one needs to
very wide array of sectors in the local obtain accurate and precise figures for
economy. When trying to trace the flow of establishing a cost benefit ratio between tax
tourism expenditure one must deal with revenues and public service expenditures.
effects such as: suppliers of goods and Indirect effects are changes in the production
services to the tourism businesses, household (and corresponding increase in jobs and
income generated through employment in incomes) due to increased demand for input
tourism, the public sector through taxes and
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from the backward linked industries by the
businesses of the recreation industry. CONCLUSIONS
Induced effects are any local increase in the
economic activity due to household spending 1.Tourism can provide supplementary income
of income earned directly or indirectly due to to a local economy that includes at the same
tourism expenditure in the area. Through time more varied activities, the recreation
indirect and induced effects, tourism itself, it is rather difficult to form the basis of
expenditure influences almost every sector of sustainable community.
the local productive system. The volume of 2. In order to strengthen regional cohesion
the secondary effects depends on the degree to and development, to make the regions more
which businesses and households in the area flexible and competitive on the national and
purchase goods and services from local European levels it is primary to make full use
suppliers. For measuring secondary impact is of their competitive advantages.
calculated the value of the local multiplier. 3. The development axes which should be
The arithmetic value of the multiplier varies included in the national strategy, are:
inversely with the magnitude of the leakages strengthening competitiveness, improving
associated with the tourism expenditure and accessibility and services of general economic
the local productive system. Saving might be interest, upgrading and protecting the
one reason for leakages in the local re- environment and averting possible dangers,
spending process. Another cause for leakage developing human resources and promoting
would be spending outside the region, on employment, improving the managerial
imported goods and services. Obviously, the competence of the public administration.
bigger the portion of the income spent locally, 5. Developing the concept eco-village through
the greater will be the value of the multiplier. organic farming and other approaches which
Regional income growth as a self-sustained promote ecosystem function and biodiversity,
process through successive local re-spending through to integrate community and
of tourism generated income is feasible only if ecological values within a principle-bases
there are locally available the necessary approach to sustainability.
unused resources for producing the specific 6. Tourism development in rural areas should
goods and services upon which income is to be made based on projects and programs
spent. By focusing on the ultimate that cover all aspects of social, economic and
employment and income effects one should cultural life of the local population.
not neglect the complex network of inter-
industry linkages and the consecutive ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
transactions that take place locally in order to
deliver the final demand. At each round in the This research work was financed from Project
expenditure – income chain, linter-industrial POSDRU/68/5.2/S/36694 “Human resource, a
effects are produced and each one can be also valuable investment in Rural Tourism”.
analysed in terms of direct and indirect
impact. This network of effects can be REFERENCES
mathematically solved in an inverse matrix of
[1] Vasile Glavan, Turism rural, agroturism, turism
the regional input-output table, where all the
durabil, ecoturism, 2003, Ed. Economica, Bucuresti, p
repercussions of the delivery to final demand 145.
are identified and summed up. If household [2] Puiu Nistoreanu, Marilena Ghes, 2010, Turism
consumption are included into the regional rural. Tratat, Ed. Gh. Bech, p. 126.
network of transactions, then the successive [3] x x x –Institutul National de Statistica , Anuarul
statistic al Romaniei, 2010.
re-spending of tourism generated household
[4] x x x –Project no. 36694/2009 POSDRU, “Human
income will also be captured into the resource, a valuable investment in Rural Tourism”.
accounting matrix and then both income and
inter-industrial multiplier effects will be
represented.
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IMPLEMENTATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF THE
COUNTY OFFICE OF PAYMENTS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND
FISHING (COPRDF) FROM ARAD COUNTY
Dorina ŢĂRĂU1, Nicoleta MATEOC-SÎRB2, Camelia MĂNESCU2, Cristian CÂMPAN3,
Cristian MATIAŞ4
1
County Office of Payments for Rural Development and Fishing, Arad; Adresa: Arad, str.
Cloşca nr. 6a, judeţul Arad Telefon/ Fax: (004)0257 255479; 0257 255134
E-mail:ojpdrp.arad@apdrp.ro
2
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat, Timisoara, Calea
Aradului 119, 300665, Phone: 0744604349, Email: mateocnicol@yahoo.com
3
APIA – The Agency for Payment and Intervention in Agriculture, Arad
4
PARDF - Payments Agency for Rural Development and Fishing, Timiş
Corresponding author: mateocnicol@yahoo.com

Abstract

With access to the European Union Romania has created the institutional conditions necessary for the application,
in good conditions, of the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) for 2007-2013.Expressed in figures, the
activity of COPRDF from ARAD county is finally materialized through the number of projects submitted by public
and private beneficiaries, ways of implementation, the efficiency with which aquisition files are instrumented and
not least through solutioning files on payment requests and reducing the period of payment reimbursement and the
costs done by the project’s beneficiaries.In this paper the authors perform an analysis on the situationof of the
projects financed by the NRDP in Arad county. Issues are presented on the situation of the submitted eligible,
selected, contracted, partially paid, completed projects and the measures implemented until 31 December 2010.

Keywords: implementation projects, rural development, county, measures

INTRODUCTION SAPARD Agency, and it received operational

accreditation as Agency which manages the
The main institutions involved in European Fund for Agriculture and Rural
implementing the NPRD 2007-2013 and that Development EFARD, by order of the
managing the European Fund for Agriculture Minister of Agriculture and Rural
and Rural Development - EFARD are: Development, signed on 15 December 2007.
- MAFRD – General Directorate for Rural Through the PARDAF accreditation it has
Development, which functions as been established, according with the European
Management Authority for NRDP and ensures Commission Regulation no. 885/2006, that
corresponding management for the the Agency meets all required criteria on
community funds, establishing the priorities organizational structure, standards of human
and the concrete action measures; resources and public relations, internal
- PARDF - Payments Agency for Rural procedures, information system security and
Development and Fisheries as body payment other specific activities as well.
for all measures of the NRDP, except those The Payments Agency for Rural Development
for disadvantaged areas; and Fisheries – PARDF - provides technical
- APIA – Agency of Payment and and financial implementation of the European
Intervention in Agriculture, also a body Fund for Agriculture and Rural Development
payment for disadvantaged areas; EFARD.
- Payments Agency for Rural Development In order to achieve its purpose in good
and Fisheries, Bucharest, PARDF, was conditions the agency has an organizational
established in the Government Emergency structure consisting of three segments, which
Ordinance from 13/2006, by reorganizing the are found:
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- at central level=PARDF; - selected eligible value= 7.074.865 Euro
- at regional level (regional centers)= - public contribution (EU + Romanian State)
RCRDF =7.074.865 Euro
- at county level (county offices)= - contracted projects = 223
(COPDRF) - partially-paid projects = 223
At regional level there are 8 Regional Centers - payments made= 2.917.398 Euro
for Rural Development and Fisheries - total completed projects = 3
(RCRDF) and 42 County Offices of Payments The second session of 2010 is under current
for Rural Development and Fishing evaluation.
(COPDRF), placed, in accordance to
developing regions, based on Law 315/2004,
with further changes and additions.
The County Office of Payments for Rural
Development and Fishing Arad receives and
records financing applications for the projects
made by public or private beneficiaries and all
administrative structures of Arad County,
including 68 communes and villages, 9 towns
and the city Arad.
The County Office of Payments for Rural
Development and Fishing Arad has no legal
personality, doesn’t make payments and Fig. 1. Situation of projects submitted and instrumented
does not make accountant balance, having and on the COPDRF Arad
holding primary accounting only the for the
administration and the operation costs
distributed by PARDF, Bucharest.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The research has been conducted at County

Office of Payments for Rural Development
and Fishing (COPDRF) Arad, which is in
direct subordination to the Regional Center
for Rural Development and Fisheries WEST
TIMIS and covers all the issues of
implementation of SAPARD and EFARD Fig. 2. Value of public contribution EU and romanian
State ( euros)
programs at the level of ARAD county.
Collected data has been centralized, analyzed • MEASURE 121: Modernization of
and interpreted so that we were able to obtain
agricultural holdings:
relevant conclusions. -submitted projects= 227
-eligible projects= 185
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION -selected projects= 43.568.457 Euro
-selected eligible value= 43.568.457 Euro
Analyzing the number of projects submitted -public contribution (EU + Romanian State
and instrumented on COPDRF Arad, their =22.757.855 Euro
situation, at 31.12.2010 presents as follows: -contracted projects =61
• MEASURE 112 - The establishment of -partially-paid projects = 61
young farmers: -payments made = 14.598.989 Euro
- submitted projects=588 - total completed projects = 43
- eligible projects=338
- selected projects= 338
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The second session of 2010 under current
evaluation.

Fig. 6. Value of public contribution EU and Romanian

Fig. 3. Situation of projects submitted and instrumented State (euros)
on COPDRF, Arad
• MEASURE 123A si 123F State aid
schemes „Stimulation of regional
development by making investment, for
processing agricultural and forestry products
to obtain non-agricultural products”:
-submitted projects= 7
-eligible projects= 6
-selected projects= 6
-Selected eligible value= 4.857.385 Euro
-public contribution (EU + Romanian State =
2.428.592 Euro
Fig. 4. Value of public contribution from the EU and -contracted projects= 3
the Romanian state ( euro) -partially-paid projects =3
-payments made = 427.053 Euro
• MEASURE 123: Increase value added to - total completed projects = 1
agricultural and forestry products:
-submitted projects= 46
-eligible projects= 29
-selected projects= 22
-selected eligible value= 45.101.368 Euro
-public contribution (EU + Romanian State =
22.550.681 Euro
-contracted projects= 14
-partially-paid projects = 4
-payments made = 2.441239 Euro Fig. 7. Situation of projects submitted and instrumented
- total completed projects = 1 on the COPDRF, Arad

Fig. 8. Value of public contribution EU and romanian

State (euros)
Fig. 5. Situation of projects submitted and
instrumented on the COPDRF, Arad
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• MEASURE 125: Improving and developing - public contribution (UE+Romanian state) =
infrastructure related to the development and 14.506.861 Euro
adaptation of agriculture and forestry: - contracted projects = 74
-submitted projects= 28 - projects partially paid = 58
-eligible projects= 17 - payments made = 3.353.514 Euro
-selected projects= 4 - projects total completed = 9
-selected eligible value= 4.096.897 Euro
-public contribution (EU + Romanian State =
4.096.897 Euro
-contracted projects= 4
-partially-paid projects = 0
-payments made = 0 Euro
- total completed projects =0

Fig. 11 The situation of the projects submitted and

instrumented to ODPRDF Arad

Fig. 9. Situation of projects submitted and instrumented

on the COPDRF, Arad

Fig. 12. Public benefits from EU and the Romanian

state ( euro)

• MEASURE 313 - Encouraging tourist

activities - submitted projects = 43
Fig. 10. The amount of public contribution to the EU
- eligible projects = 3
and the Romanian state (euro) - selected projects = 3
- the selected eligible value = 1.266.010 Euro
MEASURE 142 - Setting up producer - public contribution (UE+ Romanian state) =
groups The projects session is open 633.005 Euro
continuous going to be submitting projects on - contracted projects =3
the measure of formation of producer groups. - projects partially paid = 2
• MEASURE 221 - First reafforestation of - payments made = 208.377 Euro
agricultural land - projects total completed = 0
• MEASURE 312 - Support for the creation - Session of 2010 is under evaluation.
and development of micro enterprise;
- submitted projects = 172
- eligible projects=151
- selected projects = 114
- the selected eligible value = 20.724.133
Euro
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Fig. 13. The situation of the projects submitted and

instrumented to COPRDF Arad
Fig. 16. Public benefits of the EU and the Romanian
state (euro)

• The centralization situation of the

projects
From the above data results from COPRDF
Arad the centralized situation of the
projects at 31.12.2010 is presented as
following:
- submitted projects = 1165
Fig. 14. Public benefits of the EU and the Romanian
- eligible projects = 772
state( euro) - selected projects = 562
- the selected eligible value = 152.336.210
• MEASURE 322: Renovation and Euro
development villages, improving the -public contribution (UE + Romanian state)
economy and basic services of the rural =99.695.851 Euro
population and increasing the value of the - contracted projects = 392
rural heritage; - projects partially paid = 353
- submitted projects = 54 - performed payments = 26.808.017 Euro
- eligible projects = 43 - total of completed projects = 57
- selected projects = 10
- the selected eligible value = 25.647.095
Euro
- public contribution (UE+Romanian state) =
25.647.095 Euro
- contracted projects = 10
- projects partially paid = 2
- payments made = 2.861.447 Euro
- projects total completed = 0

Fig. 17. The situation of the projects submitted and

instrumented to ODPRDF Arad

With the mention that they are in course of

evaluation:
- second session of 2010 on Measure 112
- second session of 2010 on Measure 121
- session on Measure 313
Fig. 15. The situation of the projects submitted and
instrumented to ODPRDF Arad

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The degree of absorbtion : value of performed young farmers", represented by 588 projects,
payments / value of selected projects is of which only 3 have been completed.Also, a
22.87%. large number of projects was submitted on the
121 measure "Modernization of agricultural
holdings", consisting of 227 projects, from
which only 185 eligible and 61 contracted.
• A small number of projects has been stored
on the 125 measure "Improving and
developing infrastructure related to the
development and adaptation of agriculture
and forestry " consisting of 28 projects with
only 7 eligible, 4 contracted and none yet
Fig. 18. Public benefits of the EU and the Romanian state( completed and also on the 313 measure
euro) “Encouraging tourist activities“ and the 322
measure “Renovation and development of
We mention that COPRDF Arad made
villages, improving the economy and basic
payments on Measure 141 – projects
services of the rural population and
submitted to DARD Arad. PARDF only deals
increasing the value of the rural heritage”
with their payment through COPRDF Arad.
where 3 out of 43 projects were contracted
On Measure 141, 166payment requests worth
and 10 out of 54 submitted.
249.000 Euro were paid by 31.12.2010.
We conclude by stating that even if a large
Payment projects financed of EAFRD
number of projects were submitted to the
continue according to the contracts signed
COPRDF Arad - 11655 projects, from which
with the public or private beneficiary and
only 392 were contracted and a smaller
according to rescheduling of recorded
amount - 57 projects were financed and
requests for payment submitted by them,
completed on all PNDR measures enroled in
according to the graphic for the achievement
the 2007-2010 period.
investment until full completion of the
objective included in the project.
REFERENCES
After this time the role of the COPRDF Arad
is materialized by ex-post and beneficiaries [1] Mateoc-Sîrb, Nicoleta, Man, T.E., (2007),
monitoring for a period of five (5) years from Dezvoltarea rurală şi regională durabilă a satului
the last installment of payment. românesc, Editura Politehnica, Timişoara;
[2] Otiman, P.I., coordonator şi alţii, (2006)
CONCLUSIONS Dezvoltarea rurală durabilă în România, Editura
Academiei Române, , Bucureşti;
[3] *** - Programul Naţional de Dezvoltare Rurală
• The opportunities offered by accessing the 2007-2013
EAFRD program make the next session [4] *** - - INS – Anuarul Statistic al României, 2009.
projects and the inclusion of other measures to [5] *** - Oficiul Judeţean de Plăţi pentru dezvoltare
be expected with lively interest by the public Rurală şi Pescuit Arad;
[6] www.apdrp.ro
and private beneficiaries.
• The largest number of projects has been
stored on the 112 measure "Setting up of

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STUDY ON INCREASING VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN THE
REGIONAL ASPECT

Elena TIMOFTI1, Maria COJOCARU2

1
Moldova State Agricultural University, 44, Mircesti street, MD-2049, Chisinau, Republic of
Moldova, phone (+37322432088), e-mail: elenatimofti@rambler.ru
2
Moldova State University, 60 Mateevici A. street, MD-2009, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova,
phone: +37322577460, e-mail: mcojocaru73@rambler.ru

Corresponding author : elenatimofti@rambler.ru

Abstract

The purpose of this work consists in analyzing the intensity level and economic efficiency of vegetable production
intensification of production in the regional aspect. For this was used the system of natural and value indicators
calculated in the average of the years 2006-2009 based on data of agricultural enterprises. For to achieve the goal
were used the main economic statistics analyze methods that: monograph, observation, grouping, method of tables,
method of medium and relative sizes. The research results demonstrate that the potential of resources in
agricultural enterprises in Republic of Moldova have been used inefficiently and the produce of vegetable
production is done by extensive way.

Keywords: intensity, intensification, efficiency, resources, yields

INTRODUCTION Moldova, table method, average size method,

relative size method, etc.
Basic branch of the agricultural sector
remains to produce the vegetable products,
whose value (in comparable prices of year
2005) constituted in 2008 67-74% of the
value of agricultural production and is
developing further in a particular rhythm RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
according to market demands. In year 2008
Intensification, as a form of expanded
the value of agricultural production in
reproduction in agriculture, represents a
Republic of Moldova increased compared
process of increasing social and economic
with 2007 with 5,8%. The share of
volume, of quality and production efficiency
agricultural global production by ownership
based on application of new technologies and
shows a reduction in public sector and an
techniques, of progressive forms of work
increase in private sector in relation with 98,9
organization and management in production.
% and 1,1% [1, page 32]. One of the basic
For to produce of any vegetable production is
conditions of stability and maintaining a high
needed the following resources: land, labor,
level of growth rates, of economic efficiency,
materials. Intensive path of development
of vegetable production is passing to intensive
contributes to the continue growing of crops
development of production.
productivity and allows more efficient use of
land.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Intensity reflects the degree of assurance
of the production process of vegetable
The research data were developed from the
production with material resources, labor and
Statistical Yearbook, specialized forms of
necessary financial resources. In other words,
agricultural enterprises. As research methods
the intensity level is the criterion that can
were used: monographic method, method for
determine the possibilities of reforming of
allocating groups of firms in accordance with
the regions of development from Republic of
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production process and thus increasing the 14000 13062

economic efficiency [2, page 96-97]. 12000

For to determine the intensity of production 10000

process it uses a system of values and natural 8000

lei
6186
5537
6000 4977 5025
indicators, such as: value of fixed assets used 4000
3737
3408

in production and consumption value of 2000

2204 2488
2107 1826 1649

production in plant growing in calculation per 0

Republic of Chisinau North Center South UTA Gagauzia
1 ha of agricultural land, that the dynamics of Moldova municipality

the years 2001-2009 increased from 3873 Development Region

lei/ha up to 6140 lei/ha, that with 58% and fixed asset material consumption
from 1063 lei/ha up to 1971 lei/ha
Diagram 1. The level of fixed asset value of
respectively. agricultural production and material consumption from
The level of intensity in plant growing can be plant growing in the calculation per 1 ha of agricultural
appreciated after living labor consumption per land.
unit of land area. In connection with the lack
of data on business firms in specialized forms Consumption of natural and chemical
of work related to consumption in man/hours, fertilizers per 1 ha of arable land and
for to calculate this indicator was used the perennial fruit plantations in the environment
data on labor remuneration fund on 1 hectare on agricultural enterprises is 278 lei per 1 ha,
of agricultural lands, has increased by 30.6% with a variation in territorial profile. So, for
and in 2009 was 730 lei/ ha. example, enterprises in the Northern region
In determining the intensity level of the plant has a level indicator 366lei/ha, but in UTA
growing an important place goes to the Gagauzia only 168lei/ha. Loss of soil fertility
naturals indicators. Number of tractors per through agro-technical requirements failure,
100 hectares of agriculture area has declined failure of agricultural science
in recent years from 1.5 physical units to 1.1 recommendations, incorrect use of
physical units, that is approximately 20-27% agricultural land lead to net role and
and potential energy that returns to on 1 significance of the main factors of production.
hectare of arable land and the perennial
Table 1. Natural indicators of the level of intensity in
plantations decreased by 17-30%. As the plant growing sector in the agricultural enterprises
mentioned that the insurance level with in regional profile in the Republic of Moldova
energy in 2004-2006 to level of 2, 5 -2, 8 Per 100 ha of Coverage
horsepower is due to the fact that concomitant agricultural land energetic in
with 177 technological stations organized in Annual calculation
Development
the republic has been acquired 7000 technical average Tractors, on 1 ha of
Region
number of physical agricultural
units (tractors, automobiles, electric motors, employees, units land,
etc.). people horsepower
Analysis of the level of intensity of plant Republic of
growing sector in the regional plan Moldova 8 1,2 2,1
demonstrates that the highest level possess the Chisinau
municipality 13 1,5 1,9
enterprises of Chisinau municipality, followed
North 8 1,1 2,1
by Central and South regions (Diagram 1). Center 9 1,3 2,4
Results of activity from the plant growing South 8 1,3 2,3
sector can be improvement of agricultural UTA Gagauzia 7 1,0 1,6
enterprises increasing the fertility of
agricultural land by rational introducing of The data table shows that on average in
chemical and organic fertilizers, using agricultural enterprises from the republic to
irrigation systems. 100 ha of agricultural land back 8 employees
and 1,2 tractors, in EU countries back 9 units.
In the regional profile is not a big difference,

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except Chisinau municipality where these 4.Potential resources in the agricultural
indicators are taller. enterprises of Republic of Moldova were used
Appreciation of intensity level can be made inefficiently;
only in comparison, researching and forcing 5.Production of vegetable production is done
the yields of resource potential. by extensive way;
Analysis using the rate of increase (decrease) 6.Insufficient are implemented the technical
the average annual growth of value indicators, progress achievements, advanced
which characterize the economic efficiency of technologies, irrigation systems, fertilizers
crop production intensification production etc.
shows that in the period average 2001-2009
the yields of agricultural land, of productive REFERENCES
fixed assets with agricultural use and of
material consumption decreased respectively: [1] Statistical Yearbook of Republic of Moldova –
4%, 8% and 9,7%. Human potential yield Chisinau: Statistics, 2009, 576p.
(labour productivity) increased with 9,8% but [2] Elena Timofti. Intensive Agriculture and efficiency
this was not on account of efficient use of based on the rational exploitation of resource potential.
resource potential, but on account of reducing Agricultural Science, No.2, 2008, 100p.
the number of staff in the plant growing sector
from 128,1 thousand of people in the 2001 till
56,2 thousand in the 2009, which is more than
2 times. The change in the dynamics of yield
of agricultural land calculated on the basis of
sales revenue and of earned income from sale
of vegetable products shows that the first
tends to increase in average annual 5,8% and
the second decrease with 9%. It is clear up by
the fact that the increase in sales revenue was
based on the annual increase selling prices of
1q of sold products, and to reduce the profit
calculated to 1 ha of agricultural land
influenced the trend of increasing sales at an
average cost 7,5%, that in annual average in
the investigated dynamics the rising of cost of
sales exceeded the revenues level obtained
from sales.
CONCLUSIONS
1.In the dynamics of the years 2001-2009 in
the agricultural enterprises the natural and
value indicators characterizing the level of
intensity of plant growing sector recorded
growth trends;
2.The highest level of production intensity of
plant growing sector returns to the agricultural
enterprises from Chisinau municipality,
followed by Central and Northern
development regions;
3.Economic efficiency indicators of
intensification in the dynamics of the years
2001-2009 tend to decrease, except for labor
productivity;
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FEATURES OF REALISATION OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL INTEGRATION
IN MOLDOVA

Ludmila TODOROVA

Agrarian State University of Moldova, Chisinau

42 Mircesti, sector Rascani, MD-4224, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, Phone: +373 22 432387,
E-mail: tsg17mli27@mail.ru
Abstract

Agro-industrial integration represents a common phenomenon in contemporary agrarian economy in developed and
developing countries. To assess the current stage of development of agriculture is important to analyze in detail the
form of manifestation and the level of agro-industrial integration in the country, to track trends of changes in the
parameters of volume and structure of agricultural production, as well as its level of effectiveness. Integration is
regarded as a qualitatively new level of agricultural development that has engulfed all aspects of modern
agriculture: production, exchange, economic relations. This involves not only the breadth of the phenomena, but
also about the quality of their depth.Agro-industrial integration is immanent expression in the formation of
macroeconomic agro-industrial complex, which occurs through a process of integration of agriculture and industry.
Agro-industrial integration is the content of formation process of agricultural and agro-industrial production. And
the emergence of agriculture is economic and legal registration of the gradual development of agro-industrial
integration.

Key words: agro-industrial integration, agricultural production, processing industry.

INTRODUCTION current conditions of the agricultural

production in Moldova.
First of all, we need to understand what the To study the phenomenon of agricultural
agro-industrial integration is, what is the integration have been studied the scientific
content of this economic process. From the works of specialists in this field, as well as
outset, it should be noted that the need to link statistical data about processing of raw
agricultural and industrial production is materials, production, distribution and sale of
associated with increased levels of agricultural and food products in the country.
socialization of production. Agro-industrial In addition, we have used the following
integration is a common phenomenon in modern methods of economic research: a
contemporary agrarian economies of comparative, historical, statistical and
developed and developing countries. In economic.
modern conditions the decisive role in
developed countries plays financial capital. In RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
agriculture of several countries, mainly in
Western Europe, an important role plays Higher synthesis - the union of agriculture and
agricultural cooperation. Agriculture of industry do not arise and is not achieved
developed countries differs by the automatically.[2]. For this, the following
predominance of commercial agriculture. It terms and conditions are necessary:
develops on the basis of mechanization, use of • A high level of development of
chemicals manufacturing, biotechnology and productive forces and production relations;
advanced breeding techniques. • A high degree of social division of
labor;
MATERIAL AND METHOD • Industrialization of agricultural
production;
The object of research is the process of • Deepening of specialization and
agricultural integration and its influence to the increasing of level of concentration of
agricultural production;
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• Broadening and deepening of inter- 7000 6084 1200
farm co-operatives; 6000 53551034 1048 1000
• Initiation and development of 5000
4639 4708 920
4262 841 800
737 759 732
722
production and economic links between 4000 607 600
534
agriculture and industry in the form of 3000 400
2000
agro-industrial integration. 1000
739 759 634 552
884
200
115 95,7 82,1 74,2 66,9
Republic of Moldova, not having the outlet 0 0
to the sea, is rich in agricultural resources. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Agriculture and processing of agricultural T he annual average number of workers (thousands)
products occupy about 30% of gross domestic Basic production funds for agricultural purposes (million MDL lei)
T he number of unprofitable farms
product of the country. The automotive
T he wage fund (million MDL lei)
industry accounts for 40% of employment and T he average monthly salary (lei MDL)
60% of exports of the country. The need for
Fig.1. Histogram of main indicators of agricultural
agro-industrial integration in the Republic of enterprises
Moldova is determined by the requirements of
rational use of scarce economic resources, Grew well and the basic production assets and
both in agriculture and in industry. the average monthly wage. The increasing the
number of unprofitable enterprises in this
Table 1. Main indicators of agricultural enterprises period is associated with the difficult
Data 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 economic and political situation in the
Number of farms 1524 1522 1528 1573 1620
country. In agriculture, the integration can
improve production efficiency through
The annual average
number of workers 115,0 95,7 82,1 74,2 66,9 solutions based on it the following problems:
(thousands)  the impact of soil and climatic
Basic production
funds for agricultural conditions on the reproduction process in
4262 4639 4708 5355 6084
purposes (million agriculture is smoothed. In this industry, we
MDL lei)
The number of have the intertwining of natural and economic
739 759 634 552 884
unprofitable farms processes;
The wage fund
(million MDL lei)
737 759 722 920 841  more rational is used of constant
The average monthly capital, operating in agriculture. In this
534 607 732 1034 1048
salary (lei MDL) industry, the production time is substantially
Source: National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova
longer than working period. Therefore, cars,
Analyzing the data in the table, we can tractors, farm equipment is used uneven
conclude that in 2009 most of the indicators during the year, by the seasonal work. In the
were increased, albeit marginally. The number agro-industrial integration means of
of farms has increased by 3%, while the production are used more evenly during the
number of workers in agriculture declined by year;
approximatively 10%.  The manpower is used more
This chart shows how much increased efficiently. The agriculture is characterized by
performance of the enterprise during the seasonality in the use of labor. Agro-industrial
period from 2005 to 2009. And from 2005 to integration allows to transfer between
2007 increase in the fixed assets of the agricultural and industrial production of
agricultural enterprise varies from year to human resources and the means of production
year. From 2005 to 2006 increased more in times of greatest need.[3]
sharply than in 2007. The same trend is The necessity of agro-industrial integration is
observed from 2007 to 2008 and 2009, which objectively due to development needs of
is noticeable that the last increase in the industry also. Here, on this basis can more
analyzed period, more intense than in the effectively be accomplished the following
previous period. tasks:

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 needs of the processing industry for  enhancing the role of integration that
raw materials are fulfilled more completely. ensures the rational use of productive
Agro-industrial integration creates the resources and income distribution.
opportunity to achieve continuity of supply of One of the factors in the development of agro-
raw materials; industrial integration in Moldova should be a
 industrial wastes are used more privatization of processing enterprises with
rationally. Here in the agro-industrial the transfer of controlling interest to
integration should be included the possibility agricultural producers to improve the
of obtaining of additional forage, additional manageability of their activities with regard to
fertilizers, recycling of wastewater of sugar the interests of the village. At present, there is
mills and turning them into food; the following situation in production of
 Manpower is used more efficiently in enterprises of different ownership forms:
the industry. Processing industry as well as
Table 2. Gross agricultural output by ownership
farming, works according to different seasons
of the year. On the basis of agro-industrial Forms of property 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
integration we can reallocate labor and capital
Total(million lei) 12402,2 12266,7 9432,5 12460,3 11259,5
goods from the processing industry to the
agriculture.[4] Including:
Like and any form, AIC is playing an active • public 117,4 106,5 74,9 137,2 61,8
role in developing of the content of • private 12284,8 12160,2 9357,6 12323,1 11197,7
agricultural production. However, it is
Including:
important to emphasize that the form only
Collective 3508,0 3359,1 2589,6 4311,1 3373,1
fixes the existing material content. You
Households and
cannot really slow down the execution of an 8776,8 8801,1 6768,0 8012 7824,6
farms
integrated agro-industrial production. But we Source: National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova
cannot get ahead of ourselves, artificially
creating a form of agriculture where the agro- Data from the table indicates that in
industrial integration has not started yet, agricultural production dominates products
where appeared the material prerequisites and produced by private enterprises, the value of
conditions for it. [1] the cost of which varies from year to year. So,
The main directions for the development of in 2009, the collective and farms had been
integration at the regional level, based on the produced goods to 11197.7 million lei, which
assessment, the current situation, is as follows is below the 2008 level to 90.87%. This trend
[2]: is due to the overall decline in production in
 development of theoretical the country as a consequence of the
frameworks and refinement of methodological international financial - economic crisis.
approaches of integration in the agricultural In addition, it is necessary to consider the
production; situation in the field and in the European
 creating of optimal organizational and Union, given the political orientation of
economic conditions for the integration units Moldova for European integration. Given the
functioning; long experience of agricultural production in
 improved forms of integration in European countries, they have reached a
agriculture; sufficiently high level of development and the
 working out of the mechanisms of interweaving of agricultural and industrial
formation and functioning of enterprises production.
during the integration at the district and The European experience of agricultural
regional levels; integration to help our country on the path to
more efficient production in agriculture and in
industry.

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14000  underestimation of agricultural producers
12000
12284,8 12160,2 12323,1 to the benefits of co-operation and
11197,7

10000
development of integration processes;
9357,6
8776,8 8801,1
8012 7824,6
 weak organizational and outreach efforts
8000
6768 of government agriculture and local
6000
4311,1
government agencies.
4000 3508 3359,1
2589,6
3373,1 As a result, many of the problems that are
2000
resolved all over the world through co-
117,4 106,5 74,9 137,2 61,8
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
operation and integration of agricultural
·  public ·  private Collective Households and farms producers and processors is not effectively in
Moldova.
Fig. 2. Histogram of gross agricultural output by
ownership
CONCLUSIONS
This chart shows the level of production of In these circumstances is required a complex
Moldavian enterprises of different ownership of actions, most important of which is to
forms, as well as fluctuations in over the years overcome the antagonism between the
in the analyzed period. It is worth noting that interests of agricultural producers - on the one
the production of private enterprises over the hand, and between the processing and service
public sector, although this figure fell to 2009 enterprises - on the other hand, by developing
compared with 2005 by 8,8%. their cooperation and integration on mutually
At the same time significantly reducing the beneficial terms with the provision of certain
production of state-owned enterprises and priority to rural producers because of their
collective farms in 2009. This period is leading role in the cycle of food production.
characterized by a general decline in Main goal is better use of powers, overcoming
production in both the private and public the local monopoly in the field of processing,
sector by 9% and 55% respectively. servicing and trading, as well as providing
Timeliness of payments and unilateral opportunities for increased investment.
approach to setting of prices for the products Accelerated development of integration in the
and services provided by the processing and agricultural sector at the present stage is the
service enterprises had accelerated the main direction of economic stabilization of
development of negative trends. All this don’t agricultural production, an additional factor in
contribute to the establishment of equal increasing productivity, the guarantor of
relations between agricultural producers and social stability.
enterprises in the processing, servicing and
trading finished products. REFERENCES
However, the agro-industrial integration is not
receiving proper development, and the [1] Adizes I.K., 2009, Integration. Survive and become
proportion of agro-industrial units in volumes stronger in times of crisis, Alpina Publishers, Moscow,
of production, processing, marketing, service 35-39.
delivery remains low. [2] Lipsits I.V., 2006, Economy, Omega – L, St. –
Petersburg, 57-59.
Low-level indicators of co-operation and [3] Savchenco P.V., 2005, National Economy,
integration of agricultural producers in many Economist Ltd, Moscow, 83-89.
respects is due to the following reasons [4]: [4] Tumanova E.A., 2011, Macroeconomics, Infra – M,
 the general state of crisis, typical for the Moscow, 123-127.
country economy as a whole;; [3] Biroului Naţional de Statistică al R. Moldova, 2005-
2010, http://www.statistica.md
 inefficient monetary and fiscal policies;
 insufficient state support;
 imperfection of the legal and regulatory
framework of agro-industrial integration;

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RESIZING OF REAL LABOUR FORCE IN RURAL AREAS IN THE
CONTEXT OF OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY.ROMANIAN CASE STUDY

Monica Mihaela TUDOR

Institute of Agricultural Economics – Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Casa Academiei, Calea 13

Septembrie, 13, B Building, 5th Floor, District 5, 050711, Bucharest, Romania, Phone/Fax: +40
21 318 24 11, E-mail : monik_sena@yahoo.com

Corresponding author : monik_sena@yahoo.com

Abstract

The size and characteristics of the labour force in rural areas are conditioned, besides other factors, by the
phenomenon of temporary occupational migration. The occupational migration (both in Romania and abroad) of
the population with the domicile in the Romanian rural area has many and deep economic and social implications.
This phenomenon extracts a significant part of population from the rural labour market which, potentially, could
offer their labour force. The size of the circulatory migration phenomenon for work – both in Romania and abroad –
results in a significant decrease of the active population that effectively supports the labour force supply at a certain
moment, in a certain rural area. An estimation of the real available active population on the basis of the data from
the survey conducted September 2009 under the project CAPACITIES -DALFI [1] reveals that in total active
population with the domicile in the 4 communes from the sample, only 37.7% is permanently present in the
commune and effectively supports the labour force supply at commune level.

Keywords : rural economy, labour force, occupational migration, Romania

INTRODUCTION Survey - LFS) includes all active persons

whose usual place of residence is in a certain
The external migration flows for jobs from
CEE countries to West European countries are ACTIVE POPULATION (LFS) =
motivated, on one hand, by the lack of Employed population + The Unemployed ILO
occupational alternatives in the origin territory, who supply labour for the
countries, and on the other hand by the production of goods and services during the
significant differences between the labour reference period, regardless if they are
remuneration in the origin countries and the working away for less than 6 months.
West-European countries, as main
destinations of the circulating migration But not all the active persons at a certain
flows. The job deficit in the CEE countries is territory (according to LFS definition) are
much stronger in the rural areas, so that the effectively available to respond to the labour
pressure upon the occupational migration is force demand from the local/regional
greater with the active population in these economic operators, as part of the active
areas. This phenomenon extracts a significant population is working:
part of population from the rural labour - on daily, weekly commuting basis in other
market which, potentially, could offer their locality from the country
labour force. In this context, our studies - on the basis of contractual arrangements
propose the development of a model for shorter than 6 months in a foreign country.
measuring the real disposable labour force So, the persons of working age, resident in
size in the rural area. Romania, but who left to foreign countries for
less than 6 months, are registered in the active
MATERIAL AND METHODS population category in Romania
The persons of working age, resident in the
ACTIVE POPULATION from the economic (rural) locality X, are considered as local
point of view (according to Labour Force
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labour force even though they carry out their labour force; in the areas of destination, it
activity in other (urban or rural) locality. results in an increase of the available labour
By DALFI project, we propose a new force. That fact shifts the equilibrium point
statistical methodology and indicator that on the labor markets in both regions
estimates the REAL ACTIVE POPULATION mentioned above.
from economic point of view, that force The size of the circulatory labor migration for
which is available for entrepreneurs and their work – both in the country and abroad –
plans. results in a significant diminution of the active
REAL ACTIVE POPULATION from the population, which effectively supports the
economic point of view (DALFI definition labor force supply at a given moment (the
Proposal) includes all active persons whose reference week) in a certain rural area. A first
usual place of residence is in a certain simplified evaluation of the DALFI estimated
territory, who supply labour for the REAL ACTIVE POPULATION, on the basis
production of goods and services during the of data from the field survey conducted in
reference period and non-resident active September 2009, reveals that out of total
population who supply labour in the certain active resident population in the 4 pilot
territory in the reference week for less than 6 communes, only 37.7% are permanently
months present in the commune and offer their
services on the local labor markets.
REAL ACTIVE POPULATION (DALFI) = At the same time, other 30.4% of the active
ACTIVE POPULATION (LFS) -
– active resident population who supply
population, with residencies in the
labour in other territory (commune, town or investigated communes also works in other
abroad) in the reference week + localities from Romania, being largely
+ non-resident active population who supply included in the daily commuting flows to their
labour in the given territory, in the working place. The share of the active rural
reference week
population included in the circulatory
The conclusions of the present study are a migration flows for work to foreign countries
result of a qualitative and quantitative analysis amounts to 31.9%, most of them having
based on the primary data resulting from a occupational arrangements longer than 6
field survey in 4 representative communes months.
from the point of view of the experience in The analysis of the active population
migration [2]. structure, on the basis of data from the field
survey, draws the attention on the need to
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS revise the statistical indicators with regard to
the calculation of labour force indicators in
At present, 2.5- 2.7 million Romanians are on the Labour Force Survey, due to the impact
the territory of other EU Member States that the circulatory migration for work has
(according to the OECD International upon the actual available labour force.
Migration Outlook, 2010 [3]). Out of these, The brief analysis of the external migration
the studies indicate that 50% of the flows for work and of its economic
Romanians who migrate for work come from consequences reveals several aspects:
the rural areas (according to the estimations of - generally spiking, in the Romanian villages
the Applied Economy Group – Romania [4]). are permanently presents, more non-
About 4.5 million active people have the economically active persons that
domicile in the rural areas in Romania [5]. economically active persons
Hence, about 1/3 of the active population is - in the structure of rural population involved
working abroad. in circulatory migration to foreign countries, it
In the areas of origin of the migratory flows, is the young active population that prevails;
the dislocation of the labour force generates a - the largest part of the rural population
diminution - temporary diminution or for included in the circulatory migration flows for
variable periods of time – of the disposable work has better education and qualification.
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Who left, who remained in the village? of experience in the external migration - September
Structure of the population from sample by 2009.
the participation to the economic activity The structure of persons who were abroad in
reveals that 77% of the persons that are the reference week in the pilot communes
permanently present in the villages of included in the field survey was dominated by
residence are included in the category of non- active persons aged 15 – 44 years, distributed
as follows:
100 -15% of the population under 15 years old;
-20% of the population of working age (15 –
80
65 years) out of which: 25% of the rural
% in total pop.

60 population in the age group 15 - 29 years;

40
30% of the rural population aged 30 – 44
years; 3.3% of the adult population aged 45 -
20
65 years.
0 The largest part of those who leave to work
in the in other in town in other Total
commune commune country
abroad having an educational level above
economically active persons non-economically active persons the rural average (Fig. 3) .
feoreign countris
economically active population (pensioners, 400 in Romania
children and other inactive persons).
Figure 1: Structure of the population from sample by 300
the participation to the economic activity and by the
place of activity 200
Source: Project Capacities – DALFI 200 / 2008, field
100
studies in 4 representative communes, by the intensity
of experience in the external migration - September 0
2009. low medium higher
Due to the lack of job opportunities at local educational level

level, the economically active persons,

Figure 3. Structure by educational level of the rural
resident in the rural communities, are
population in the sample by the place where they work
involved in occupational arrangements in (in Romania or abroad)
other locality from Romania (generally, a Source: Poject Capacities – DALFI 200 / 2008, field
town) or in foreign countries. studies in 4 representative communes, by the intensity
In general, the younger population of of experience in the external migration - September
2009.
working age (15 – 44 years) opt for the
occupational migration solution (Fig. 2).
The structure of persons with the domicile in
the pilot communes who were abroad in the
feoreign countries reference week:
250 in Romania - 5.4% of the population with low educational
200 level;
150
-27.1% of the population with medium
educational level;
100
- 12.2% of the population with high
50 educational level.
0
<15 years 15-29 30-44 45-65 >65 years CONCLUSIONS
age groups

Figure 2. Structure by age of the rural population in the The data from the field survey conducted in
sample by the place where they work (in Romania or September 2009 on certain representative
abroad) samples of holdings in four Romanian
Source: Project Capacities – DALFI 200 / 2008, field communes reveal the fact that the access on
studies in 4 representative communes, by the intensity
the labor markets of other countries

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substitutes the employment in agriculture of large scale into the daily commuting flows to
the rural active population belonging to the work. The share of rural active population
age groups 15 - 34 years. The rural included in the circulatory migration flows to
population’s reaction to the low job supply in work abroad reaches 31.9%, the largest part of
the rural area is the territorial mobility of the it having occupational arrangements longer
labor supply to those areas where the business than 6 months.
environment is more developed and the labor The analysis of the active population structure
market is functional. The men and the women on the basis of the data from the field survey
from the rural active population are equally highlights the need to revise the statistical
included in the migration flows to work indicators regarding the calculation of labor
abroad. force indicators in the European Union
The size of the circulatory migration Labor Force Survey (EU-LFS) due to the
phenomenon for work – both in Romania and impact that the circulatory migration to work
abroad – results in a significant decrease of has upon the real available labor force.
the active population that effectively supports The utility of the revision is obvious:
the labor force supply at a certain moment, in - the present indicators estimating the labor
a certain rural area. A simple estimation of the force cannot fully reveal the implications of
real available active population on the basis of the occupational migration flows upon the
the data from the survey conducted in labor force that a region effectively has at its
September 2009 under the project DALFI disposal at a certain moment. There are two
reveals that in total active population with the main parts involved in this calculation: the
residence in the 4 communes from the sample, area of origin and the area of destination of
only 37.7% is permanently present in the circulatory migration for work. In the areas of
commune and effectively supports the labor origin of the migratory flows, the dislocation
force supply at commune level (Table 1). of the labor force generates a diminution -
temporary diminution or for variable periods
Table 1. Structure of population of working age by the of time – of the real active population; in the
place of activity
areas of destination, it results in an increase
Active population with the residence
in the communes included in sample, 100 100 100
of the available labor force. That fact shifts
out of which: the equilibrium point on the labor markets
- % of active persons permanently
present in the commune
37.7 37.7 37.7 in both regions mentioned above.
- % of persons working in another
4.0 4.0 -
- our results, after the survey conducted in
commune
- % of persons working in another town 26.4 26.4 -
four communes in 2009, underline the
- % of persons working in a foreign hypothesis that the reality is different than in
country under occupational 4.6 4.6 -
arrangements shorter than 6 months
statistics. The discrepancies between the data
- % of persons working in a foreign available from EU-LFS and the results of the
country under occupational 27.3 - -
arrangements longer than 6 months
survey done under the DALFI Project are
Active population with the residence 100
out of huge. That is why the estimation of the real
which active population is necessary and the present
in the communes included in sample
:
Total active population according to statistics must be updated with new indicators
72.7
LFS definitions and methods:
REAL ACTIVE POPULATION
(DALFI) at commune level
37.7 - The need for the scientific substantiation of
Source: Project Capacities – DALFI 200 / 2008, field the statistical measurement methodology of
studies in 4 representative communes, by the intensity the actual available labour force
of experience in the external migration - September
- The detailed study of the characteristics and
2009.
size of the actual available labour force in the
At the same time, other 30.4 % of the active rural area.
population with the domicile in the
investigated communes is working in other
localities in the country, being included on a

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research work was financed from Project

PN II Capacities No.200/2008and all the
support given by National Council of
Research Financing is gratefully
acknowledged.

REFERENCES

[1] PN II - Capacities Project (DALFI, 2008-2010), no.

200/2008 (Coordinator: IAE, Bucharest; Partners:
ICES “Gh. Zane” Iasi; USAMVB, Timisoara; Pitesti
University)
[2] Field surveys in 4 representative communes from
the point of view of the experience in migration
abroad – September 2009 - Comnume Banloc, county
Timis, commune Stalpeni, county Arges, commune
Sohatu, county Calarasi, commune Sabauani, county
Neamt
[3]***OCDE(2010) International Migration Outlook,
www.oecd.org/dataoecd/6/13/45629644.pdf
[4] www.muncainstrainatate.anofm.ro/aderarea-la-
uniunea-european-n-beneficiul-tuturor
[5]*** INS (2010) Forta de munca in Romania.
Ocupare si somaj

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IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGROTOURISM IN THE
NEAMŢ COUNTY - ROMANIA

Nicolae-Gabriel URSUIANU1, Manea DRĂGHICI1

1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Mărăşti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232,
Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail: dmprofesor@yahoo.com
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest
59 Mărăşti, sector 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 0764 537 237,
E-mail: gabicove2002@yahoo.com

Corresponding author : dmprofesor@yahoo.com

Abstract

The paper examines the evolution and development of agrotourism in the Neamţ County. The following indicators
were considered and analyzed: tourist reception, accommodation capacity, the number of tourists accommodated,
accommodation capacity depending on the type of tourist reception and classification category and number of
nights. Thus, it appears in 2001-2006, an increase in tourist accommodation structures, from 11 to 48 guest houses,
from the total in the Neamţ County. Accommodation capacity has also grown to a total of 742 rural guest houses,
and the number of accommodated tourists increased to 17537 people in 2006. It analyzes the ways of
implementation of the local Plan for sustainable development for 2007-2013 in the Neamţ County.

Keywords: agrotourism, rural house holds, egg production , local Plan for sustainable development in Neamţ
County.

INTRODUCTION
Located in the north-eastern Romania, Neamţ
County has tremendous tourism potential and
rich diversity represented by the geographical
landscape, ethnographic and folkloric
elements, originality by cultural and religious
historical sights, the weather resorts and spas
but also by all the developing agrotourism in
these regions in recent years [1].

Photo 2: Melania guesthouse (Vaduri – Bicaz, Neamţ

County)
On improvement and development of rural
tourism is an increase of accommodation as
well as the number of tourists from Neamţ
county agrotourist guesthouses [2]. In this
respect, the paper provides an analysis of the
evolution of agrotourism in Neamţ County, in
order to highlight the increasing tourist
accommodation, the number of tourists
accommodated and the number of nights
Photo 1: Romania – Neamţ County spent during 2001-2006 [3].

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Table 1: Tourist reception with functions of tourist
MATERIAL AND METHODS accommodation - number of units -
Name 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Rate
(%)
The following indicators were used: the
County total: (of 63 64 76 78 94 103 9,76
tourist reception with functions of tourist which)
accommodation, tourist accommodation Rural and agrotourist
11 27 28 29 42 48 33,33
guesthouses
capacity, guests stay in tourist reception with
Fig. 1 shows the evolution of rural and
functions of tourist accommodation by type of
agrotourist guesthouses in the analyzed period
structure, tourist accommodation capacity, the
2001-2006 for the Neamţ County.
types of structures for tourists reception with
functions of tourist accommodation and
50
classification categories during January to
September 2007, the number of overnight 40
stays in tourist reception with functions of
30 Num ber of
tourist accommodation by type of tourist rural and
accommodation structures and categories and 20 agrotouristic
classification in the period 01/01 to guesthouses
10
30/09/2007 and net use indications of places
of accommodation, by type of tourist 0
accommodation structures with functions of 2001 2003 2005

tourist accommodation and classification

categories in the period 01/01 to 30/09/2007. Fig. 1: Evolution of rural and agrotourist guesthouses
in Neamţ County during 2001-2006
The average annual growth was calculated,
; where: ∏p1/po = Regarding the existing accommodation
r = ∏ ( p1 / p 0) − 1
n −1
capacity - seats - in the period 2001-2006, we
chained growth indicators [4]. can also see a significant increase (Table 2).
The period examined was 2001-2006 and In 2001, from the total accommodation
2007 for the last two indicators. Data capacity of 2989 places, rural and agroturist
collected from the County Council were guesthouses held a number of 122, in 2006
statistically processed and interpreted on ways this figure had increased significantly,
to implement a local plan for sustainable reaching a total of 742 seats in the 4121 at the
development for 2007-2013 in Neamţ County. county level. Thus, we can see that the
average annual rate increased with an average
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS of 43.32% per year.
Table 2: Existing tourist accommodation capacity
For the analyzed period, 2001-2006, regarding - places -
the tourist reception with tourist Name 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Rate
(%)
accommodation service, we notice an increase
County total: (of
in the number of rural and agrotourist which) 2989 3076 3482 3483 4045 4121 6,63
guesthouses. Rural and
agrotourist 122 291 341 343 645 742 43,32
Thus in 2001 from the total number of tourist guesthouses
accommodation in Neamţ County of 63 units,
11 were rural and agrotourist boarding houses, Tourist accommodation capacity - seat-days -
and in 2006 out of 103 tourist accommodation saw an improvement of almost nine times
structures at the county level, 48 were rural higher in the period under review. Thus in
and agrotourist hostels, which entails an 2001 the capacity has reached 25,533 and
average annual growth of 33.33% per year in 214,113 in 2006 (Table 3). When calculating
the rural and agrotourist guesthouses (table average annual growth rate, it increased
1). reaching a value of 50.53% per year for rural
and agrotourist guesthouses.
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Table 3: Running - places – days Running tourist accommodation capacity of
Rate
Name 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 (%)
the accommodation tourism in January-
Total: (of 733915 830515 105188 115055 116466 126355 9,50 September 2007 was of 960 507 seat-days, the
which): 4 0 1 2 average growth rate dropping by 42.94% per
In rural
guesthous 25533 58343 87699 95154 129102 214113 50,53 year, while in the rural and agrotourist
es guesthouses the value was of 192 553 seat
Regarding the number of tourists staying in days, and the average annual growth rate also
tourist reception in 2001-2006, an increasing decreased to 60.98% per year (table 5).
trend is also observed. In 2001 from the total Table 5: Running tourist accommodation capacity, by
of 98,932 tourists accommodated, a number type of tourist accommodation structures and
of 920 were accommodated in rural and classification categories in the period January-
agrotourist guesthouses, but the highest value September 2007 - seats - days -
Types of of total, by classification
was reached in 2006, where from a total of tourist
Total
categories (margarete) Rate
140,761 tourists accommodated, a number of accommo (%)
dation 4 3 2 1
18 473 stayed in rural and agroturist structures
guesthouses. Thus, there is an annual average Total 960507 13234 391985 331335 86044 - 42,94
Rural and
increase of 4.06% during 2001-2006 on the agrotourist 192553 5044 80418 101459 5632 - 60,98
total number of tourists accommodated in the guesthouses

Neamţ County, while the increase in the Another indicator taken into consideration is
guesthouses has led to a value of 77.47%. the number of overnight stays in tourist
Related to the number of tourists in the reception structures with functions of tourist
country accommodated in these structures, we accommodation and classification
can also say that it increased, and the average categoriesThe analyzed period is 01/01 to
annual rate reached 4.57% from the total 30/09/2007. During this period the highest
number of tourists in the country and in the value of 103,147 was met at two-star
rural and agrotourist guesthouses the average guesthouses for the Romanian tourists, while
annual growth was of 76.05%. Total tourist in the lowest value of 213 was met among
the country accommodated in the Neamţ foreign tourists for 4-star category
County in 2001 was of 81,950, from which guesthouses.
870 accommodated in rural and agrotourist We can see a decrease in annual growth for all
guesthouses; but most of the 2001-2006 figure three types of tourist accommodation
is reached in 2006 by a number of 17 537 structures. Thus we can say that the annual
tourists from the country accommodated in rate decreased by 44.49% per year on the total
rural and agrotourist guesthouses; from a total number of overnight stays, with 46.68% for
of 119,913 (table 4). Romanian tourists, and also the annual rate of
Table 4: Tourists staying in tourist reception with foreign tourists decreased by 49.77% per year
functions for tourist accommodation, by types of
structures – people -
(table 6).
Rate
Table 6: Overnight stays in tourist reception with
Name 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 functions of tourist accommodation by type of tourist
(%)
Total number accommodation structures and categories of
of 98932 97092 110861 129300 117344 140761 4,06
accommodate
classification, from 01/01 to 30/09/2007 - Number of
d tourists of overnights -
which: Of the total, by
In rural and Types of classification categories
agrotourist 920 3623 5536 6314 11731 18473 77,47 tourist (margarete)
guesthouses Total
accommodati
Total number on structures Rate (%)
of 81950 77296 89602 104833 93503 119913 4,57
4 3 2 1
accommodate
d tourists from Total number
the country of of overnights 265070 4697 99292 109909 27859
which: (of which): -44,49
In rural and Romanian 227727 4484 69471 103147 27320
agrotourist 870 3395 4980 5936 10954 17537 76,05 tourists -46,68
guesthouses Foreign 37343 213 29821 6762 539
tourists -49,77

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2. Existing tourist accommodation capacity
Under the percentage ratio, indexes of net use
evolved, ranging from 122 seats in 2001 to
of accommodation by type of tourist
742 seats in 2006.
accommodation structures and categories of
3. The number of tourists accommodated in
classification in the period 01.01 to
rural and agrotourism guesthouses has seen an
30.09.2007 have reached the highest value of
improvement from 920 in 2001 to 18,473 in
1 and 4 margarete (daisies). The predominant
2006.
value of tourist and agrotourist guesthouses of
4. Running tourist accommodation capacity of
28,5% is met for the 4 margarete guesthouses,
the tourism accommodation structures in
while the smallest share is held by the 2
January-September 2007 was 960 507 seats-
margarete guesthouses with 13,7%. If we
days at the county level, while the tourist and
consider the average annual growth rate, we
agrotourist guesthouses held a number of
will see a decrease in the total number of
192 553
types of tourist accommodation, while for the
5. The largest percentage for tourist and
tourist and agrotourist guesthouses this rate
agrotourist guesthouses related to
has increased by a share of 19.87% on year
accommodation seats, was held by 4-
(table 7).
Table 7: Ratios of net use of accommodation, by type
margarete category guesthouses.
of tourist accommodation structures with functions of
tourist accommodation and classification categories, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
from 1.01 - 30.09. 2007 - percentage -
Types of Of the total, by classification This work is funded by
tourist categories (margarete) Rate POSDRU/107/1.5/S/76888 program and was
accommoda Total (%)
tion 4 3 2 1 conducted with the support and help of Mr.
structures Professor Drăghici Manea.
Total (of 27,6 35,5 25,3 33,2 32,4 -2,75
which):
Rural and
agrotourist 15,2 28,5 15,3 13,7 28,1 19,87
guesthouses REFERENCES

In figure 2 we can see the evolution of the [1] Dan Ghinea, 2002, Enciclopedia geografică a
României, Editura Enciclopedică, Bucureşti, p. 868-
percentage of accommodation depending on 874
the type of classification for tourist and [2] x x x – Consiliul judeţean Neamţ, Planul local de
agrotourist guesthouses in the Neamţ County dezvoltare durabilă, 2008
during 01.01-30.09.2007 [3] x x x – Planului local de dezvoltare durabilă a
judeţului Neamţ pentru perioada 2007-2013.
30 [4] Ceapoiu N. Metode statistice aplicate in
experientele agricole si statistice, Ed.Agro-Silvica,
25
Bucuresti 1968
20
Evolution in
15
% of
10 accomodatio
5 n
0
1 4
margareta margarete

Figura 2: Evolution of the percentage of

accommodation depending on the type of classification
for guesthouses.
CONCLUSIONS
1. The number of rural and agrotourist
guesthouses during 2001-2006 increased from
11 to 48.

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TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS REGARDING ANIMAL BREEDING
WITH MAJOR IMPACT IN RURAL TOURISM – STUDY REALISED IN
VAIDEENI, CORBENI, RUCAR AND DOMNESTI VILLAGES

Iulian VLAD1, Cristina (NEGRE) PÎRVULEŢ 1, Marius MAFTEI1,Gheorghe SĂVOIU2,

Mirela STANCIU3, Andi FIŢA4
1
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Bucharest, 59 Marasti, sector 1,
011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40 21 318 25 64/232, Fax: + 40 21318 28 88, E-mail:
vladiul@yahoo.com,negre_cris@yahoo.com, mariusmaftei@yahoo.com.
2
University of Pitesti, Faculty of Economics, Pitesti, 110040, Pitesti, Targu din Vale, no.1,
Arges County, Romania, Phone: +40 348-453100, Fax: +40 348-453123, E-mail:
gsavoiu@yahoo.com
3
„Lucian Blaga” Sibiu University, 41 Nicolae Teclu, 550200,Sibiu, Sibiu County, Romania,
Phone:.0269 234 111, Fax: 0269 234 111, E-mail: mirela_stanciu2008@yahoo.com.
4
Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety National Agency., 37 Dudului str., 060603, sector 6,
Bucharest, Romania, Phone: : +40 0374 150 200,Fax:021 312 49 67, E-mail:
andi.fita@yahoo.com

Corresponding author: vladiul@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study present the results of an ample research regarding customs, traditions and manners in animal breeding
(mountain shepherded), with major impact in rural tourism and with capabilities in alternative programmes for
occupation of rural mountain area, being in an increasing process of aging and inactivity. The authors option was
to restricted initially to the wester Carpathian mountain village queen, Vaideeni area, at the foot of the mountain
Roman's peak or Romanian's peak, but were useful in distinguishing replicated elements of rural tourism programs
from Corbeni, Rucar and Domnesti mountain lands. Sociological research has focused on a semi-structured
interview described in the summary section describing the material and method of investigation and the results
discussion and conclusions are presented in specific sections. As a final remark we can see that occupational and
traditional richness and diversity, religiosity and pastoral myth of rural mountain may reopen a Pandora's box,
where budding hope of resurrection of the Romanian rural mountain tourism, invading fully objective and rational
agro-tourism product, but also remnants of pastoral convoluted thinking time, which seems to have disappeared
many decades from European tourist memory, but is a great cultural heritage and tourism value.

Keywords : animal husbandry, traditional occupations, rural torusim , semi structured interview
suspension is intended to balance celebration
INTRODUCTION excessive spaciousness of transhumance, as
very special and continuous effort of
Romanian mountain village has preserved providing a support farming in rural tourism
even in troubling times, the character of recovery.
ancient religion and mythology, with its own Two trends stand out in a first analysis:
calendar in employment, traditionally the I. In the Western Carpathian mountain village
dominant influence of livestock. Pastoral there is a replication of the general trend
transhumance space required and always mirrors the settlement transhumance in time
requires a long culture, expressed in the same and space of religious holidays (Christian), in
way, respectively in a frobenian or close connection with the activities derived
Spenglerian manner, tired of the same culture from shepherding the major occupation of the
time employment, traditional, religiously inhabitants, keeping alive a pattern of the
twisted, mythological and protected and traditional calendar, occupational, religious
focused on a long extract from present or and mythical;
"suspended" pure and simple celebration. This
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II. In the entire area beneath lands Fagaras be within the peasant and that included time in
slightly further north or further south on the the depths of his heart and of thought.
contrary, other local influences have given Calendars are tools with which people in
this special way of blending faith and mountain villages have agreed the ocupational
mythology, pastoral occupations, a with major ritms of nature to traditional
remarkable degree of specificity, especially in religiosity, sacred and profane in ancient
the holidays, regular party spirit so necessary times until the recente. In parallel to the
to brief individual pastoral life. official calendar, recognized by church and
Thus, during the traditional culture of the state, Romania has survived an unofficial
mountain village has become the valences of timetable, calendar ethnologists called popular
"living space" and can be captured only channels transmitted by ordinary folk, their
through a "living schedule," Mirror of reality being recorded by Romanian
traditional village life, as distinguished Ernest expression „neaoşă”, make someone's head
Bernea stratifications among the first in our timetable [4]. Mirrors universe occupational
culture time of this schedule, both over-time areas have generated multiple calendars
"holidays, and" extra time "or out of time, entwined with religious ones, with the habits
suspension of his time in moments of natural and ocupationaly, restructured continuously
crossing, and recovery for forgetting, from the time pastoral agrarian calendar, etc..
remembering to add" micro-time "traditional All these benefits for only two seasons:
activities accomplished by calendar days, summer (pastoral, agrarian or potential) and
mansions and watches, wonderful lasting winter (pastoral, agrarian or wine). It’s
memory izvodire reflexive. "Calendar of survive even a calendar of old women, rather
Romanian peasant life as something living inserted in burgher language than that of the
and organic does not come to measure peasant, as a humorous note to the calendar so
amounts of time but the time comes to make a popular in general. To shepherds, passing
fleeting expression, walking time to give a seasons regime translates into alternative
face", becoming "the symbol of death and crops (summer and winter) of the itinerant and
rebirth, and the order , push the leaf bud and pastoral links with the village community, but
give Bobu to bake ". [1] Of course, it is never larger than the nature of work,
throughout this calendar was set and target unrounded off into years, but with the touch
research presented in this paper, regarded as of superstition, especially for bad time to be
an original source to be exploited particularly able to keep out of his way [5,6]. Time shift
in rural tourism, as still today, to our deep has provided a lesson in Romanian mountain
astonishment, the Romanian mountain village village. A lesson about life that can not be
peasant calendar is the point, ordinance, time appropriated by anyone, except during the
allotment, "a calendar is the order of the time party. Death, as Mircea Eliade, is something
... Without schedule, one would do in a way, that is learned. At first they did not understand
one otherwise. A calendar month is all felu, if anything, as nothing in life or understand. He
not like one another. Why do not you do is her grammar, a dictionary of them, like a
Tuesday or Sunday in April to do in foreign language you want to learn. Mircea
September. "[2] Microtime reflected in Eliade provides that "documents" folklore and
microcalendar who detaliate it, it is a knitting books of the Dead (Egyptian, Tibetan,
of days, mansions, hours and moments (so Jewish). We believe that learning is living
dear and close to the shepherds, who are document over the transition time is in even
accompanying their flock of sheep, in all that suspension Romanian shepherd. Otherwise
they are written and over all day, mansions , you can not explain the pastoral serenity of
watches and moments that have been given). death, exposed by Mioriţa ballad. Shepherd
Romanian village during the live calendar that will circumvent the wedding, the party is
is both traditional and employment, where he learned the lesson best death. In this
mythological and religious, both on the study, based on a research topic focused on
outside, as long described as being from the interview, either detailed or fleeting, a
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contraction of space is required in order to .................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
expand the importance of such time. 4. Number of service tourist accommodation structures,
dependent and pastoral products or habits (type,
MATERIAL AND METHODS capacity of existing accommodation and in operation, the
average occupancy rate, origin of tourists, the average
length of stay, charges, services offered to tourists by
Geographical area of research was the more traditional herders or local)
rural pastors today have Ungureni name under .................................................................................................
.................................................................................................
which they are known pastors in the villages 5. New occupations appeared from ocupationally
located in the slope of the Carpathians south valorification and local traditional pastoral in local rural
to the east of the Olt river bed, on the fields tourism.
.................................................................................................
Vaideeni, Corbeni Princely or Rucar. The .................................................................................................
research method used was that of semi- 6. Workshops and crafts connected in ratio with the
structured individual interview, conducted in pastoral activities and with recovery of livestock
products (pastorals).
23 families, where they were pre-only themes .................................................................................................
around which the discussion was to act .................................................................................................
respecting the specific methodological 7.Trades missing or endangered thet were the
occupational and traditional public holidays, religious
requirements that distinguish it from and mythological.
alternative structured interview (the most
extreme compliance questions, but their pre- Some of the results of this research are
established order. Guide interview that summarized, respecting originality and
formed the basis of sociological research that traditions of pastors families and events
has been endowed with the field team consists description made by interviewees.
of six researchers described in the box below.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Box 1 .Semi-structured interview guide that was the
basis of sociological research
Major themes from detailed written dialogue in the In rural mountain area, time and space join
family farm livestock (shepherds) together like brothers, redefine pastoral
causality. All three elements of space, time
l. Knowing of pastoral traditions
Note: It will identify key local religious holidays pastoral and causality defines the behavior of peasants
impact (related to climbing in the mountains, calving lambs, in the Western Carpathian mountain villages,
barren sheep buck, local or holiday Nedeia Campeneasca the village became a cyclical phenomenon
bacitelor pastors and other holidays). Usually, all linked to
the saints but also important in the pastoral tradition of existential flocks in origin, redefined as an
oierilorr will identify whether producării genuinely organic whole or as an existential framework
traditionalist in terms of knowledge of major occupational of essential knowledge and life history and
habits.
................................................................................................. national culture [7 ]. Feast of religious and
................................................................................................. mythological located in this area closely
2. Fairs calendar dated traditional occupations, religious derived from grazing activities as the major
and mythological
Note: The fairs are a double impact in the area (a religious occupation of its inhabitants have created
holiday is backed by a traditional shepherd's related to the calendars of exceptional vitality of rural
sale of specific sheep breeding products, from cheese to tourism which recovery is very
wool, etc.).
................................................................................................. importantă.Pierderea holidays for pastoral
................................................................................................. mountain village would be tantamount to
I. Nedeia or local nedeita and his touristic impact. losing pastoralităţii time, identity and sense of
.................................................................................................
................................................................................................. being in space Romanian transhumance.
II. Other regional religious and pastoral events. Private time to angle the incessant flow of
................................................................................................. things, actions and deeds during the appraiser,
.................................................................................................
III. Other events (focused on the sacredness, mythology, vital events and defining moments is called by
etc..) the peasants in the mountains "veac"
................................................................................................. (century).
.................................................................................................
3. Recovery current celebrations of local rural tourism

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Thus is the expression for time for the three, five, seven or nine pots of earth, upside
Romanian peasant century, but in a special down. Under each pot is put by the host
way, meaning that animals household and objects without the knowledge of young
things, and people are under age and age, that people. Frequently used objects within reach
is eternal as the cosmos, but also fleeting as are human but significations well defined:
life. Favorite time of the day but down ring, comb, knife, mirror, cob (with or without
peasant become the shepherd's life every day. the mustache), pencil, a little book, etc.. After
Nedeea presence, pastoral outdoor celebration all the pots are placed on the table, are called
in the whole area of the mountain village is young people to find their fortune. If the girl
able to describe occupational unitarism or boy chooses pot ring, means that the year
causation and the Christian feast of traditional will get married and one who will take the pot
pastoral mountain village. with a mirror you love beautiful girl who
picks corn involuntary pot with a mustache,
I.Results of sociological research in Vaideeni meant that the girl will be lucky rich but old,
and that choosing the pot of corn without a
Because of the harsh life of shepherds in mustache, the young boy will be lucky and
ancient town called "Vai de ei”(Woe to them) rich. The young man who finds comb, will be
and now the Vaideeni, and also of the troubles lucky beautiful but poor girl, and one that will
caused by the nature surrounding them, and find the pot of wool, you'll have more luck
some mishaps that have befallen the flock, with the boy, while the young woman who
„şăranii” of this mountain cities especially finds pot in a cup of brandy, will be lucky
habits learned Marginimea Sibiu, have shepherd who loves a drink. The atmosphere
enshrined certain habits related celebrations created by identifying objects hidden camera
throughout the year and they have passed on pans creates a prolonged state of joy and
from generation to generation [8]. Ritual comments throughout the events. As an
aroused the coming New Year holidays are evidence of a great respect they had their
traditionally treated by occupational and parents and try and inspire the children for
pastoral. Thus, the threshold of New Year being a pastor since the early years of the
takes place celebration of Vârjelatului event. twentieth century, the first day of the year was
People gather in groups, to larger homes, and devoted to pastoral Vaideeni (Saint Vasile).
participated in a common meal, followed by As Ball was born shepherd who was and is a
games - or just after the flute song after song holy celebration in Vaideeni shepherds. At
from his mouth and after shouting. On this this festival dressed in vaideean peasants
night put 12 sheets of onion in the window of costumes all participants play on a stage,
the house, each month representing one month recited poems inspired by the hard life of
of the year, which is sprinkled a little salt. shepherds, sing songs in the voice of the pipe
Morning is controlling leaf onions, as people's or are investments as băciţe Whistling in the
faith, showing how it will be months of rainy area. So famous is this festival that she come
or dry with an eye to outdoor grazing and the to attend the shepherds from Novaci of
effect on villagers. Sheets wettest months Băbeni in Poiana or Sadu Sibiu. It is a true
shows that they represent will be rainy and celebration of pastoral occupation. Heat
dry ones, because these months will be dry. games, hore hand, whipping, Haţegan, Serb,
After dining ends, put on the table bars of and two games, and even "Cârpătorului
maize, where from faith of old people from Game" - performed by older ones that take up
the household minds wealth, under the table is almost day. The party were drawn slowly
putting a bird, which is wasteful, as the birds, home to most of the inhabitants of the village
the grate, spread the pile of grain. Also put on culture and custom "Vârjelatului" tends to
the table and other treats - apples, pears, nuts, disapear completely. On days 16, 17 and 18
cheese, wool, garlic, distaff, etc. - to be a year January, when winter is celebrated Sânpetru,
of good health and rich in cattle and humans. women pastors sheep clipper scissors link,
In the same room they sat on another table, saying the Our Father three times to bind the
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wolf's mouth and can not enter into the fold. milking. The little crown who is first eaten by
The Martyrs, March 9, housewives smoked sheep, showed that the girl who braided her
with flowers on, gathered in summer, or rags, will marry quickly. After going of the milking
yard, barn cattle, snakes do not bite them, evil sheep and of shepherds with the flock to
spirits can not enter the house, to be rich in graze, girls take the big crown and a hidden in
cattle and sheep, in fruit trees and earth. spring. When shepherds come with milking
During this time, says Our Father three times. sheep at noon, are obliged to find the crown
The Christian faith is often mixed with that of and bring it to the sheepfold. If you find it,
the mythological type. At St. George, on April girls are allowed to sprinkle water, if not,
23, beech leaves are put at the gates, evil sprinkle it on her daughters. Then the dance
spirits can not enter the household. On the begins with having brought of the sheep with
night of St. George cattle are carefully the olds shepherds. The symbols imprinted
guarded for fear of women taking milk from deeply into these habits are abundant in milk,
cows. In ancient tradition, these women health and luck, wealth for all, peace and joy.
walked naked and with different spells, taking At the Feast of the Holy Ascension - 40 days
milk from cows that could be the first night of after Easter - at the gate they put lovage and
passover approach. In the first night of Easter begin the "lovage beat”, especially children,
thieves sounds of boiler brandy pipes and to from the belief that the one who touches you
not be caught when they go to steal and for first time will take your power. All posts
cattlemen, in the same night gathering at are held as well go to sheep and shepherds:
home and have livestock with great care. Easter, Sânpetru, St. Mary of the Cross and on
On May 7 women are not working wool and Christmas Day, etc.. (Including Wednesdays
fast to not heads the sheeps. in the Saturday and Fridays are held with the priority). Also
before Easter and three thursday after, for the good of the flock, at the Sânpetru, they
"Thursdays of stone, not washed, not cut the not purr, and and at the St. Elias is great fear
sheep, being threatening to hail and thunder. of Thunder. Feast of St. Elijah sisters, Anna
The big Nedeea from Vaideeni event is on the and Marina, and St. Panteleimon (July 27) -
24 June. This event is essentially in shepherd his brother - is scrupulously respected the
communities life, and is manifested in the spirit of broad community support and
village in the mountains bot more in the field pastoral and brotherly aid. At Ana Foca is
area, vis-a-vis from cemetery (the live-aside, considered to be bad of boiled, fire from down
but along with the dead, buried under the fir the ground. Marina event requires big
tree). In the village gather fairies flowers, attention for big bad fire from heaven. The
wreaths are intertwined (as many girls in the Elisei is celebrating as the past of Jordan
house, as many crowns). Old ladies gather River and treated it with "salt", making it a
fairies flowers, bundle link them, sprayed good drink. At Obrejenie on 6 August, it eats
them with water from the well or at all "and fish. The girls lie to their destined dream. It
links them to the attic. Girls go to the makes the game all the time for celebration
fountain, sprinkle with water together with the marking sheep.
boys, bring them home and put coronets The Vaideean shepherd celebrates his animals
icons, to bring luck and protect them from who may cause difficulties in his pastoral
evil. Icons line are given inheritance pastor, work, mythological trying to pacify them. So
pastor or in his absence at his wife left from the Macovei day is the day of the bear -
the house. August 1 - and celebrates, being afraid (bad)
In the mountains, the evening before Fairies of bear. Then start the reproductive season for
event, girls gather flowers, entwined by a sheeps. Also it is extracted honey from hives.
wreath and a crown than lower. On the Honey is consumed at the table. Still
morning of Midsummer girls spread crown celebrating the day Precup and the Wolf day -
greater than lathe doors, where the sheep 11 August - when no work because is
come to milking. Small crowns are attached at considered to be bad of wolf.
the neck of the sheep who comes first for
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If the shepherd ball dominating even winter pastoral communities memories. The
feast of St. Basil and Nedeia from Vaideeni traditional events days for lambs weaning
marks the middle of the summer and the catch them in a long periple to Domnesti and
beauty of nature and alpine pasture and the sheep trouble is going to Cicanesti. Them
pastoral profession, the Holy Mary’s events Nedeia became an event by neighbours. The
are the last days for autumn Nedeea’s of traditional products goes to the city losing at
holidays in the mountains all around and in the city market or on the small streets from
finally the descent from the mountain. At Curtea de Arges. Traditions are still alive in
Saint Mary Major begins to descend songs, the shepherds memory. With a smole help
sung mournfully by shepherds who have their from authorities tradidions coul be reborn.
cattles, and with joy by the owners and
shepherds of the sheep. III. Domnesti sociological research results.
If the first sings, "Pretty Holly Mary / Do not
let the fall to come / Let the shepherd of my Spring traditions and events are very closed
brothers among the trees slow down", others with agricultural works and with pastoral
sing, pretty Holly Mary / Let fall to live / To activities. First spring day is associated, in
escape the bondage of slavery / Shepherd of folk traditions, with Old Ms. Dochia, an old
shepherds / ferry to serve. " Last Neda of lady who die on the 1 March and reborn on
Vaideeni takes place on 14 September, the the 9 March. Is believed that Old Ms. Dochia
Day of the Cross. This is taken near the river spinning the Martisor thread putted on the
Neda Luncaviţa in Zăvoi, and have the name breast of shepherds, being a sign of goo luck.
"Girls uted”. Between 1 and 9 of March are the Old Ms.
With this ocassion, boys who are ready for Days (from spring, summer and autumn), and
marriage are choosing the future wives, and on the 9 of March is day of Martyrs. They
dance with them a popular folk dance named said that if at the Martyrs day the weather is
“hora”. At 15 septembe sheeps come down cold, the situation will continue til on the St.
from the mountains, rams are matting, and the George day. In pastoral calender, between St.
sheepherds goes with herds for grazing. At the George (Sângiorz), 23 april, şi St. Dumitru
26 october the sheeps goes back to the owners (Sâmedru), 26 october, is defined pastoral
ant that’s mark the end of summer grazing. summer, and between Sâmedru and Sângiorz,
After this date, for the owners who wants to pastoral winter. Inside of this two intervals
leave the herd with the shepherd for late has keept some local events like Armindenul,
grazing, is calling another payment. Starting Sumedru’ fire, Paparuda, all on the dominant
from St. Nicolaus all the animals comes near field of communication with an intensive
the house, in the approach of hay storages. ocupational and traditional character, as an
The village community still exercising belonging dialogue lost from the last century.
pressure on each member of it to remain as They still keep Armindenul, celebrated on the
much as possible joined in the order of St. George, when at the houses leve are puted
Christian, mainly Orthodix and mostly beech leaves as a symbol of spring.
Christian. The main traditions, from where we Sumedru’s fire are celebrated in the eve
star in this research, in Vaideeni village, are afternoon of St. Dumitru, when children and
respected in the pastoral mountain area boys gather more points of the village
so the following is what is specifically for including pasture edge and gather twigs and
each locality selected for the project. dried leaves of walnut, corn cobs, then put it
on fire and shouted:
II.Corbeni sociological research results. -Come to Sumedru’s fire! Paparuda is a
specific tradition for summer dry periods,
Lonely in his traditions, with one single when a girl, or a woman, dressed with leaves,
village event, the pastoral population are in a walking through the village and sing
real transhumance to the small cities from Paparuda, ruda, Come to wet me, With clean
around, in that days that are alive in the water lefted from God. Şezătoarea was held in
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late fall and winter during the long nights „Heroes fighting with death”, dedicated to the
and she attended the girls and women, each shepherds. Another regional event are „milk
with her work. measurement” from half of June till half of
Crack as a mean to organize the villagers to July, each owner going to the herd for this
help each other. It was made combining hair measurement to evaluate his rights. We can
removal. note also some of the newest customs, coming
Domneşti village is knowed till today fo from the past, but with a very good touristic
market fairs, real traditional events. First big message as mentioned below.
fair recognized in Romania was organized on
25 March in Domnesti. Traditional character Box 3. Customs about the girls who hopes to marry,
is reinforced by shep’s traditional food. practiced on the very evening of the new year.
A group of girls come in a cattle barn. If cattle are sleeping,
Another fair, with a great mythological make them kick in saying: "Let this year." If the animal is
character, is that who marks the end of a long not raising, the admonition will be repeated. The number of
pastoral cycle, on „Probeajen”, marking the this auctions represents the number of years after which the
girl will marry! Marriageable girl make some cookies
excesive colling of water. Recent tradition has („dry”), this evening. She goes outside from the house
also imposed to the village and her childrens, eating this „dry”. Which party will hear the dog barking,
the village fair, who tried to replace mountain that part will come from her destined one. If a family has
more girls, they search for the bones jelly and put it on the
traditional Nedeia. In the last year, the doorstep outside. On of which of them will take the dog first,
shepherds association introduced „the that will get married first.
shepherd event”, on the St. Dumitru day (25- Marriageable girl leads the garbage to the river. From
which party will come the dog to look in the garbage, there
26 October). will come also her future husband.
Ciurlezul. , childrens, especially girl, walk with this
IV. Rucăr sociological research results. „ciurlez” (a little bucket with water and some basil) saying
incantations and wishes to households that are received.
The boys sit around the church awaiting those with the
Kept till today cry sheep festival, which takes name John.
place a week after the Holy Mary event, on Brezaia. Young men and women until 50 years are
organized in groups for Christmas. Brezaia can be
September 15, is the most important considered a kind of folk theater. Most important characters
religious and traditional and occupational are Old man and Brezaia. Old Man is known by skull of
event. The event have attached a modern label loins (sheep skin) and club in hand after beating children or
grown people running it, to give him money. Brezaia
who try to define his area and extending it (weathercock) is Old Man's wife. She is wearing a raincoat
successfully centered on pastoral activities, covered with headscarves as different colors and patterns
known as „Expo Pastoralis”. An gastronomy made by the lads of the village girls a few days before
Christmas. Weathercock has a knock on the head of wood,
exhibition, focused on pastoral products like the goat in other areas of the country. During the carol
called „A meal in a dish” replaces the at home, on Christmas night, weathercock play and dash.
requirements of the high tourist area. The third day during village "hora"dance Brezaia is joyful,
then falls and dies. The boys go to a pub to get them buried.
Old Man making a different gesture grieves them
Box 2.An excerpt from ANTREC holiday calendar in
entertained those present. Old Man and Brezaia are two
2010. characters symbolize biblical Herod and Herodias.
MARCH 21-22 March – A meal in a dish, Rucăr, Sumedru’s Fire. On the 25th of October, St. Demetrius day
Argeş County children are "Sumedru's Fire." They prepare, in time, fir
APRIL 12 April – National day of rural tourism tree, bush shaped, give fire at dusk and begin to shout:
Rucăr, Argeş County "Come to the fire of Sumedru, maa." Women share their
MAy May – Tradition and ecotourism fair, Rucăr, apples, nuts, pretzels and crackers. Meanwhile, around the
Argeş County fire are putted to boil large pots filled with potatoes and
SEPTEMBER 12-13 September - Expo Pastoralis /Cheese kettles with boiled brandy. Mens do that. Some of them cut,
parade, Rucăr, Argeş County on wooden trays, traditional cheese,fresh or smoked. The
26-27 september Sheep trouble/ Cheese and "sarba like in Rucar" folk dance and the musicians
meat festival, Bran, Braşov County and accompanying preparations. When potatoes and brandy
Rucăr, Argeş County were boiled, the whole congregation is invited to snack. It
DECEMBER 6 December – Old Man Nicholas Come, sings and plays until late. I hear frequent callings over the
Bran, Braşov County and Rucăr, Argeş village of "Let the fire of Sumedru, măăă! Custom is old, it
County is assumed that overlapped a non-Christian ritual cleansing
of the area surrounding the fire, the Geto-Dacian origin
Also remacable is Heroes Praise fair, on 28 ritual.
March, completed in september by event
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All these celebrations are loosing more Grants Application approved project
traditional and occupational impact, proposals under Round II projects in the
becoming moments or events with impact in Financial Mechanism of European Economic
the touristic area Rucar - Bran. Area (EEA), the fund for ONG, 2010) and
financed by the Governments of Iceland,
CONCLUSIONS Norway and Liechtenstein.

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Vaideeni celebration to bear," "uted Vaideean
girls - girls in yell lads Fair," "Surrender of
Vărjelat" or "Sanziene Vaideeni" either single
or combined. Holidays circular Mărginimea,
Northern Oltenia and Sibiu can become
"What Goes Around, Comes Around During
the time of Perennial festival" (Which will
travel back in time and the perennial party).
Slowly and painstakingly, and then there will
be a pastoral festival of suspended time. The
entire program will focus on the lack of travel
time, giving tourists the chance to live out real
time by exploiting the physical natural time of
day, from sunrise to sunset, through the
mansions and long hours, the suspended
during the feast .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This paper is a summary of surveys conducted

in the European EU grant project entitled
"Mountain Resources and Sustainable
Development" (EN 0010 PMS 29 - Small
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