The implications of the agricultural holdings with legal entity when using the agricultural lands in Romania

High-performance agriculture cannot be done in the absence of modern agricultural holdings, altogether holdings with a legal entity based on private property lands or those on lease, conceded or rented, which meet the agrotechnical request fit for each holding type. In this regard, the General Agricultural Censuses from 2002 and 2010 reveal a series of information that outline the manner in which the agricultural holdings with legal entity engage themselves in using the agricultural lands in Romania. Thus we notice holding groups distributed on size categories and how their holding structure is influenced by the usage category of the lands utilized and also by the geographical particularity of the region. Additionally, there is an improvement regarding the qualitative developments made in order to change the medium size of the agricultural holding with legal entity. The study identifies the current and perspective trends concerning the changes of agricultural holding (with legal entity) structure as effect of the direct relation between the agricultural holdings without legal entity and those with legal entity when using the agricultural lands in Romania

The discursive brand analysis of the accommodation units from the touristic basin of Sucevița (Bukovina Region, Romania)

In the rural areas where there is an economic potential clearly defined by the agricultural or commercial activities, tourism is the business key within reach. Under the circumstances, the socio-economic reflex takes the form of developing projects for tourist services, especially in the places with tourist potential. Further, the local economy, at least with respect to the private initiative, advances towards agritourism. In the present study we aim to run a discursive analysis of the presentation messages offered by 54 accommodation units from the touristic basin of Sucevița. Making an inventory of the online messages (own sites and platforms for touristic services) we could identify 24 key concepts (keywords and key phrases) and starting from their occurrences within the identity narratives of the accommodation units we have analysed their relationship with the supra themes and the themes belonging to the local and regional brand. Further on, we have outlined the general profile of the accommodation units and the profile of the target group as they appear in their presentation discourses. The relationship between these two profiles reveals strong brand connections but also shows some fractions which can be mended. To repair these inconsistencies, we provide a few handy recommendations in formulating medium and long-term strategies of development in the rural tourism

The implications of the agricultural holdings with legal entity when using the agricultural lands in Romania

High-performance agriculture cannot be done in the absence of modern agricultural holdings, altogether holdings with a legal entity based on private property lands or those on lease, conceded or rented, which meet the agrotechnical request fit for each holding type. In this regard, the General Agricultural Censuses from 2002 and 2010 reveal a series of information that outline the manner in which the agricultural holdings with legal entity engage themselves in using the agricultural lands in Romania. Thus we notice holding groups distributed on size categories and how their holding structure is influenced by the usage category of the lands utilized and also by the geographical particularity of the region. Additionally, there is an improvement regarding the qualitative developments made in order to change the medium size of the agricultural holding with legal entity. The study identifies the current and perspective trends concerning the changes of agricultural holding (with legal entity) structure as effect of the direct relation between the agricultural holdings without legal entity and those with legal entity when using the agricultural lands in Romania

The discursive brand analysis of the accommodation units from the touristic basin of Sucevița (Bukovina Region, Romania)

In the rural areas where there is an economic potential clearly defined by the agricultural or commercial activities, tourism is the business key within reach. Under the circumstances, the socio-economic reflex takes the form of developing projects for tourist services, especially in the places with tourist potential. Further, the local economy, at least with respect to the private initiative, advances towards agritourism. In the present study we aim to run a discursive analysis of the presentation messages offered by 54 accommodation units from the touristic basin of Sucevița. Making an inventory of the online messages (own sites and platforms for touristic services) we could identify 24 key concepts (keywords and key phrases) and starting from their occurrences within the identity narratives of the accommodation units we have analysed their relationship with the supra themes and the themes belonging to the local and regional brand. Further on, we have outlined the general profile of the accommodation units and the profile of the target group as they appear in their presentation discourses. The relationship between these two profiles reveals strong brand connections but also shows some fractions which can be mended. To repair these inconsistencies, we provide a few handy recommendations in formulating medium and long-term strategies of development in the rural tourism

The future of the Romanian rural household from the perspective of agricultural censuses

The development of agriculture in nowadays circumstances cannot be merely assessed from the perspective of agriculture as a main branch of national economy, but further from a social point of view which is highly significant as it represents the traditional small farm households which provide the basic necessaries for the rural population as well as the usability implication of over 55% from the agricultural area of the country. On the whole, by agricultural exploitation there is the general tendency of considering its commercial aspect only, perfectly justifiable in the case of agricultural exploitations with a legal, juridical character, but there is also to be regarded the social aspect of agricultural exploitation without a juridical status, which is largely representative for the small farm households. In the period of time between the 2 General Censuses (2002 and 2010) the agricultural exploitations without a legal, juridical status diminshed by 13.6%, while the agricultural area used diminshed by 3.3% only, leaving over 7.5 million agricultural area as responsability for these exploitations

Profiles of rural households in the North—East Development region of Romania. case studies

The rural household epitomizes the central socioeconomic unit of the vernacular village. The territorial resources, livestock and human capital shape the particular features of each place and zone. The present study relies upon field research, namely a questionnaire undertaken in 354 rural households across the counties from the North-east Development Region. The main conclusions highlight visible zonal differences among them, all with clear distinctive features that draw the traditional element of each zone

The perception of consumers from the north-east region of development of Romania of organic produce

A significant amount of data and statistical information currently available indicates an ever-increasing appetite of European consumers for organic agri-food products. This particular phenomenon can be identified in Romania as well, albeit to a lower extent. In view of this, an analysis of Romanian consumers` perception of this particular category of produce, whether more succinct or extensive, is both necessary and useful in the shaping of a specific profile of this type of consumer. Consequently, in this study we discuss the interpretation of the data obtained by applying the 2016-2017 Ecological Agri-Food Products Questionnaire, which was developed within the Rural Development Research Platform Interdisciplinary Research Group and filled in by 1788 respondents, 723 of them residents of the North-East Development Region of Romania. The present research approach focuses on aspects of analysis based on demographic categories while aiming at observing the level of understanding of the term certified organic food-product, the main reason behind purchases, the criteria employed in recognizing organic agri-food products, the respondents' preference for certain purchase locations, customer familiarity with the logo specific to organic produce as well as the degree of confidence in organic food-products of the consumers in the North East Region of Development of Romania

Socio-economic impact of ecological agriculture at the territorial level

This deliverable investigates the socio-economic effects of ecological approaches to farming through implementing two participatory approaches, namely Delphi exercise and Q-method, at the level of a case study area (CSA). The focus is on how people and other productive assets are employed and remunerated by ecological approaches to agriculture, particularly those aspects that can influence employment, and drive the prosperity and vitality of local communities and some rural businesses. It is based on the collaborative research on Task 4.2 ‘Socio-economic impact of ecological agriculture at the territorial level’ of the LIFT project between UNIKENT (United Kingdom-UK) (Task Leader), BOKU (Austria), INRAE (France), VetAgro Sup (France), DEMETER (Greece), MTA KRTK (Hungary), UNIBO (Italy), IRWiR PAN (Poland), IAE-AR (Romania), SLU (Sweden), SRUC (UK). Beginning with the Delphi exercise, this deliverable presents qualitative information extracted from stakeholders in the following four steps. First, the researchers build a presentation of differences between ecological and conventional farming approaches in each CSA. Second, stakeholders elaborate on how they understand ecological farming approaches to exist in each CSA. Third, stakeholders develop a scenario of adoption of ecological approaches to farming depending on two factors: pattern (ecological farms forming clusters or randomly spread within the territory) and rate of adoption 10 years in the future. After establishing this scenario across two rounds, the stakeholders explore the socio-economic effects of their adoption scenario. The Q-methodology then presents a Q-set of statements that the Delphi has developed and, through factor analysis,studies the key stakeholder perspectives of the socio-economic effects of the perceived adoption of ecological practices in 10 years in the future. Four key results can be derived from the Delphi exercise and the Q-methodology. First, a higher adoption of ecological farming approaches, especially so at a 50% adoption rate, is mostly thought by stakeholders in the Delphi Exercise to lead to an increase in skill level and quality of life in on-farm employment. This is as a result of an increased diversity of farming enterprises on farms using ecological farming approaches, the interest generated from this, the knowledge of natural processes and biology required, engagement with nature and change in machinery that is coming into the industry. Strongly related to this need for skills is a predicted increase in the number of advisers and civil servants to deal with more complicated farms and incentives as well as monitoring of ecological effects on farm. An increase in required skill level is repeated across all Q-studies. Second, especially where farms are clustered together, Delphi Exercise respondents predict an increase in the trade of inputs such as manure and compost replacing synthetic fertiliser, as well as more sharing of capital and labour. Q-methodology highlights that these clusters may support a stronger social movement, more consumers buying local food and increase collaboration between farmers. Supply chains are expected to become shorter as farmers sell more directly and there are fewer intermediaries upstream of the farming sector. As farmers collaborate more with each other on environmental objectives, trading inputs and sharing best practices, farmer relationships should improve in rural communities. Third, Delphi exercise finds that contracting, machinery purchasers, and machinery traders and dealers could increase, decrease or display no change – the anticipated effects are mixed. Stakeholders are in no doubt that machinery use will change and therefore new skills will need to be learnt, but the wider effect on machinery purchase is uncertain. However, stakeholders conclude that a greater specialisation in machinery will occur leading to changes in farm management as well as the suppliers of this machinery. Q-methodology highlights that ecological practices will not mean the end of machinery and a lot more labour – often machinery will be useful in weeding and reducing physical labour as technology has significantly improved and skills are improving too in order to use these technologies. Fourth, Delphi respondents argued that although rural populations might be little affected by ecological farming, a shift in people moving from urban to rural settlements, and thereby a higher rural population density, seeking a more attractive rural environment, might contribute to higher local consumer demand. The Q-methodology highlights that where there is high adoption, rural areas are expected to become more attractive, as landscapes will have a much greater variety of crops instead of fields of monocrops. This variety of crops may include agroforestry (farmers interested in ecological approaches to farming may also be interested in agroforestry as a way of boosting their yields and protecting crops and livestock from the elements) as well as intercropping

Increasing community social capital in north-eastern rural Romania

The aim of this paper is to present tangible forms of knowledge generated by analyzing regional/local experiences, during more than ten years of synergetic cooperation between scientific researchers and public consultants in providing “public goods” for rural development in Romania. In this regards, the article contains a theoretical approach of the key concepts and a practical approach referring to the major steps undertaken in order to adjust, at least locally, the “classical triangle” to the new rural paradigm