Rural Romania National Network Of Rural Development

Issue 2 Year II, September 2014

George Turtoi Association and short food chains: the key to success in 2014-2020

NRDP News 2014 – 2020

Vegetables one like away

The Haller Castle, renovated with EU funds

Telemea de Ibănești – waiting for Brussels recognition

ROOTS OF A EUROPEAN COUNTRY

Ministerul Agriculturii și Dezvoltării Rurale Rural Romania – No. 2

REGIONAL OFFICES Supporting Unit of the National Rural Development Network Contents

BRĂILA 282, Independenţei Blvd., 1st floor, postal code 810124, [email protected] Tel.: 0339 732 009, Facsimile: 0339 732 016

CRAIOVA EDITORIAL ...... 3 19, Libertăţii St., postal code 200421, [email protected] Tel.: 0251 460 377, Facsimile: 0251 423 651 INTERVIEW George Turtoi: The key to success in the new NRDP – the association and formation of short food chains ...... 4 ZALĂU 49, Kossuth Lajos St., postal code 450010, [email protected] RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Tel.: 0360 404 056, Facsimile: 0360 404 158 2014, the year of family farms in Europe ...... 8

Organic farming in Romania and the support granted by the NRDP 2014-2020 ...... 10 TÂRGU MUREȘ Risk management in agriculture under the new NRDP ...... 12 60, Mihai Eminescu St., postal code 540331, [email protected] Stimulating association under the new NRDP ...... 14 Tel.: 0365 430 349, Facsimile: 0365 430 351 The fruit growing sub-thematic programme – an opportunity for the revival of Romanian fruit growing ...... 16 IAŞI The history of cereals in Romania ...... 18 Ciric Entertainment Area – Ciric Entertainment Complex, postal code 700064, [email protected] The calendar of our villages ...... 20 Tel.: 0332 881 281, Facsimile: 0332 881 282 Discover the rural areas of Bacău ...... 22

TIMIŞOARA PEOPLE

53, Take Ionescu Blvd., 2nd floor, office 26, postal code 300074, [email protected] From sales to jams, a Costești business ...... 26

Tel.: 0356 460 982, Facsimile: 0356 460 983 Năsal cheese back on market ...... 28

Vegetables one like away ...... 30

TÂRGOVIŞTE Traditional monastery foods in Aninoasa ...... 32 7A, Vărzaru Armaşu St., postal code 130169, [email protected] The revamped grandeur of the Haller Castle, in a four-star boarding house ...... 34 Tel.: 0345 100 605, Facsimile: 0345 100 025 The Lidia Bodea Museum in Sălaj, a Romanian folk hope chest ...... 36 BUCUREŞTI 39-41, Nicolae Filipescu St., 6th floor, 2nd District, postal code 020961, [email protected] EXPERIENCES Tel.: 0316 900 214, Facsimile: 0316 900 21 My farm: Pioneering work with aquaponic farms in Romania ...... 38 My business: Chocolate factory in Odoreu, Satu Mare ...... 40

My community: Telemea de Ibănești – waiting for Brussels recognition ...... 42

UP-TO-DATE LEADER

The text of this publication is for informative purpose only and does not entail legal responsibility. LAG Găvanu Burdea – successful partnership between Argeș and Olt ...... 44

LAG Lunca Argeșului – a 96% absorption rate for irredeemable funds ...... 46 Additional information on MADR and NSU can be accessed on the Internet: www.madr.ro, www.rndr.ro

MARD NEWS ...... 48 USR, Department of Publications, September 2014 ISSN 2284-8665 ISSN-L 2284-8665 MEET THE NRDN MEMBERS ...... 50 © RNDR, 2014

The reproduction of the texts of this publication is authorized provided that the source is mentioned. Printed in Romania.

Copyright for photographs: Liviu Brădean, Mircea Ursache, Iulia Gorneanu, Ioana Corduneanu, dofteana.ro, Marian Lungu, Mihai Zaharia, Viorel Dudău, Valentina Ioniţă, Reka Foris, Ligia Bodea, Andrei Mușat, Mirdatod, GAL Găvanu Burdea, GAL Lunca Argeșului, Mueller & Prietenii

1 Rural Romania – No. 2

Editorial

On the new NRDP and the priorities for 2014-2020

Pending the approval of the new National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, this issue of the magazine will describe a series of important aspects regarding the rural development priorities for the future period of time and the measures proposed by the Bucharest authorities.

In the interview with George Turtoi, Secretary of State in the MARD, some of the novelties of the rural development programme are mentioned. We discover that association and short food chains – namely the means of bringing the food from the producer to the buyer through the shortest way, by avoiding intermediaries – are considered the “key to success” in the new programme. Then we see the measure regarding organic farming of view on this subject or on any other was supported by the NRDP 2007- and the sub-thematic programme one that relates to rural development. 2013, as was the case of the chocolate for fruit growing, as they have been Alexandru Potor, the president of the factory in Odoreu, which has offered included in the official document sent National Federation of Local Action workplaces for dozens of local people to Brussels. Groups (NFLAG), expresses his after the project. opinion on stimulating association in An extremely important issue in the the new programme. We also introduce the nuns at following period is risk management Aninoasa and the traditional through mutual funds. You can find We have also wished to introduce monastery foods they prepare, as well out more about this subject in the extraordinary people and their as the endeavour of the Association pages of the magazine. We hope the initiatives. You will learn about the for the Promotion of Traditional first mutual funds in Romania will student Ligia Bodea who, out of love Products on the Gurghiu Valley to start working soon and will manage for the traditions of the Sălaj area, obtain European recognition for the to attract as many members as has collected a lot of traditional telemea de Ibănești, as protected possible. objects and opened a museum in designation of origin. her grandmother’s house. We also Romanian farmers must be expecting present a few young entrepreneurs We also invite you to discover the with great interest the approval of the who have started small online calendar of our villages and the new NRDP. We have also touched grocery stores and they attract their significances of the Romanian ie. in this issue the subject of family customers through social networks. farms, as well as the support they will receive in the new period of time. The We also invite you to read the subject will be discussed in detail in story of the Haller Castle in Mureș, Viviana Vasile, Team Leader of the the following issues as well, and we brought back to life by the tenacity project “Founding and Supporting invite you to take part in writing the of a family who had vision and love the National Rural Development magazine, by expressing your points for the patrimony. The investment Network”

2 3 Rural Romania – No. 2

Interview

must obtain them in a grace period of locally. At the same time, these Associating farmers has often George Turtoi, Secretary of State in the maximum 36 months from the date environment services have an impact been said to be essential. of adopting the individual decision of on the health of the population; Through what means does granting the support. therefore, organic farming can be the NRDP try to stimulate Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development broadly described as a basic standard association? for ensuring durable nutrition. The key to success in the new NRDP – association There is a special measure for George Turtoi: In the programming organic farming. How do you Under NRDP 2014-2020, Measure period 2014-2020, association in explain it: great demand for 11 – Organic farming, active farmers the agri-food sector will be aided and forming short food chains organic products, anything registered in the organic farming through the measure dedicated to else? system will be supported, both for forming producers’ groups in fruit How does the new NRDP operations with a view to converting growing, through larger co-funding address to small farmers and George Turtoi: The support for to organic farming (sub-measure percentages and through the score family farms? organic farming has become an 11.1) and for maintaining the organic given when selecting the projects important element of the rural farming certification (sub-measure submitted by associative forms. As George Turtoi: Romania’s strategic development policy of the European 11.2). a novelty, we have the Sub-measure approach for this sector intends Union. Public goods and the 16.4, Support for horizontal and that, gradually, family farms should environment services delivered by The support provided by these sub- vertical cooperation among actors become the central base for producing organic farming refer to ensuring measures is granted to active farmers, in the supply chain, with a view to and ensuring the necessary amount the protection of biodiversity, who commit voluntarily to adopt establishing and developing short of food for the internal consumption, reducing pollution, reducing or to continue the implementing of supply chains and local market thus contributing to balancing the carbon dioxide emissions, ensuring practices and methods specific to chains, as well as with a view to structure of farms, by diminishing welfare conditions for animals and organic farming. performing correlated promotion the bipolarity phenomenon in our developing economic activities activities in a local context. country.

Consequently, family farms, as well as small producers’ associations are prioritised within Sub-measure 4.1 At what stage of preparing prioritised the measures that have – Investments in physical assets, the new National Rural enjoyed special interest of potential while small farms are granted specific Development Programme 2014- beneficiaries. As absolute novelties, support within Sub-measure 6.3 – 2020 are we? I can mention the use of financial Support for the development of small and risk management instruments, farms. George Turtoi: The National Rural encouraging innovation in agriculture Development Programme 2014-2020 through the opportunities given by was officially submitted for analysis the European Innovation Partnership One of the most popular of the European Commission on 1 for agricultural productivity, as well measures of the previous July 2014. We are waiting for the as promoting the fruit growing sector programme was the one meant comments of the European experts, as one with specific needs, through a for young farmers. What but we are also working on the sub-programme dedicated to it. information do you have for the guidelines and procedures for the young people who want to settle NRDP 2014-2020 measures, so in rural areas? What would be that we could be prepared when we Are there major changes the conditions? receive the approval. from 2007-2013 as far as the programme’s way of George Turtoi: The measure for functioning is concerned? What young farmers will be one of the first What have we learned from should Romanian farmers and we release, it has a 444.8 million euro the first NRDP? How did these other entities that could apply budget, and the maximum amount lessons contribute to drafting for funding expect? that can be accessed by a young the new NRDP? farmer can reach 50,000 euro. In George Turtoi: Among the order to benefit from this support, George Turtoi: The lessons we have most important changes that this the applicants must be under 40 learned between 2007 and 2013 are new NRDP will bring to potential years old and they must not have very important and they have helped beneficiaries we could the chance of another workplace, at the same time, us come up with a new approach, submitting the project online and outside the territorial-administrative based on flexibility and opportunity. the continuous submission session. unit where the holding is situated or Thus we have reduced the number Thus, the time for analysing and outside its surrounding area. of measures, we have simplified replying to funding requests will At the same time, they must have procedures, but we have also become reasonable. professional skills in the field or they

4 5 Rural Romania – No. 2

How does capitalising If you were a small farmer, what traditional products, other would you invest in during the traditions and crafts reflect in following period? the new NRDP? George Turtoi: That is an George Turtoi: The NRDP interesting question. If I were a small 2014-2020 supports processing farmer I would try and convince other agricultural products, including neighbours to start up a cooperative for the purpose of obtaining or a producers’ group, by merging traditional products, and crafts are the surface. Then, as an associative supported through sub-measures form, I would access Sub-measure 6.2 – Bussiness start-up aid for non- 4.1 – Investments in physical assets, agricultural activities in rural areas both for production and processing. I and 6.4 – Support for investments would choose the sector, be it vegetal in creation and development of non- or animal, according to the potential agricultural activities. of the village where I would live. I Moreover, the NRDP 2014-2020 believe this is actually one of the measures prioritise farmers who use keys to success in the new NRDP: traditional genetic resources. association and creating short supply chains.

NRDP 2007-2013

Available EAFRD 8.124,20 M euro National contribution (NC) 1.200,61 M euro Total available funds (EAFRD + NC) 9.324.81 M euro Absorbtion (of EAFRD funds) 71,66% (5.821 M euro) Number of measures 23 Number of selected projects 95.885 NRDP 2014-2020

Available EAFRD funds 8.015,6 M euro National contribution (NC) 1.347 M euro Total available funds (EAFRD + NC) 9.363 M euro One of the priorities that the agri-food field to make contact with of the actors of the agri-food sector Number of measures (including Technical Assistance) 14 programme was based on refers modern equipments and machinery, and of rural areas through various to transferring knowledge and innovating technologies, to benefit activities: conferences, seminars, NRDP 2014-2020 – Allocating measures (EAFRD + NC) innovation to the rural areas. from a transfer of new practices etc. publications and so on. It is, perhaps, one of the most M1 Knowledge transfer and information actions 55.9 M euro difficult tasks. What activities Through exposure to new ideas, M2 Advisory services 59,3 M euro do you take into consideration methods and principles, through What would be, from your point M4 Investments in physical assets 2.071 M euro to make this knowledge transfer interaction and learning, farmers of view, the agricultural sectors M6 Farm and business development 993 M euro possible? become better prepared, more that should be a priority during M7 Basic services and village renewal 1.298 M euro responsive to new ideas and concepts the next programming period? M8 Investments in forest area development and improvement of the viability of forests 124,3 M euro George Turtoi: To encourage and more inclined to apply innovating M10 Agri-environment-climate 999,9 M euro innovation in agriculture and food technologies and practices in their George Turtoi: Choosing priority M11 Organic farming 236,1 M euro industry, we will finance measures area of work. At the same time, the sectors cannot be made at random or M13 M13 Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints 1.330 M euro regarding the transfer of knowledge cooperation measure (M16) aims based on personal preferences. We M15 Forest environmental and climate services and forest conservation 117,6 M euro and information exchanges, to raise the degree of innovation in have made extensive analyses and M16 Cooperation 14,5 M euro counselling and cooperation services. the agri-food sector through farmer studies, because we want the new M17 Risk management 235,3 M euro The information and demonstration partnerships, research institutes and NRDP to continue the development M19 LEADER 724,8 M euro activities will support encouraging universities with a view to developing of deficient sectors that have great M20 Technical assistance, including the National Rural Development Network 209,8 M euro innovation and strengthening the new products and techniques. potential for our country. At the farmers’ knowledge in the fields, moment, the most important have * animal welfare commitments 514,1 M euro innovative methods and practices Let us not forget that the network proven to be fruit growing, vegetable Fruit-growing sub-programme 378,9 M euro that lead to environment protection. will continue its activity in another growing and reproduction farms M4a Investments in the fruit-growing sector 353,3 M euro Demonstration activities allow formula, which will lead to an (swine and cattle). M9a Producer groups 8,9 M euro farmers and those who work in the increase in the degree of awareness M16a Cooperation 16,7 M euro

6 7 Rural Romania – No. 2

Rural Development

2014, the year of family farming in Europe What does the NRDP bring to family farms?

The year 2014 has been declared the We should follow the lead of farms in the accessing process was very good, year of family farming. The opinions Austria, Italy and France and adapt of around 70%, so the following are divided, though, on representing them. There are 3.8 million small NRDP should have been granted the interests of small farmers and farms, which basically feed 7 million more money,” Sebestyen Csaba also family farms in the new National people at a national level,” the said. Rural Development Programme president of the Federation declared. 2014-2020. In his opinion, the interests of Bogdan Buzescu, the president of large farmers clash with those of Through the new NRDP, the the Confederation of Peasantry small farmers. “Farming should authorities wish to support small Associations in Romania CATAR, not be measured only in tonnes farmers who have managed to grow is more optimistic: “The process of and hectolitres and production over the past few years beyond the consolidating family farms will not performance, but it also means size of a semi-subsistence farm, be short, but a series of families environment, rural areas, social namely those who are already on the are already on the right track.” He problems. Something should be done market. The programme will have says that Romania fortunately still about it, or the tendency of village a measure that would allow small has important natural and human aging will continue,” the leader farms to be granted 15,000 euro resources to develop agriculture – we of the Association of Hungarian to develop. But the problems arise have people who still have land and Farmers from Romania told us. In when we have to define the small who still know how to farm it and to the medium and long term, Csaba is farm. For some, a small farm is one raise animals. Farmers associations optimistic. “We benefited from the that produces not just for the family, put their hope in Farming Chambers, fact that Dacian Cioloș was a EU but also for the market. A family farm which would be founded, in order Commissioner for Agriculture, and it is assimilated to a small farm, not to to help family farm owners to is good that an Irishman will be the a household that produces for own access European funds. “One of the next one, because they have done a consumption. Perhaps this is what problems is that the owners do not lot for their farms and their farming causes some confusion. have papers for these areas because conditions are similar to ours,” the the land registration process is specialist concluded. The authorities wanted to make not over yet. The properties are a clear distinction between a fragmented, the youth have left household (which produces for own the countryside and it is difficult to Defining small and medium- consumption) and a farm (which implement other solutions without sized farms sells), so that they would no longer property documents,” Buzescu fund, like in the old NRDP (through stated. He said that the NRDP During the negotiations regarding Measure 141), dozens of thousands contains proposals made by members the new NRDP defining the economic of small farmers whose holdings “do of the Confederation, among which dimensions of farms was also not show” on the market. stimulating association within the discussed, through standard output family or among families. quotients (SO) and not through ESUs The director of the “Dorna” Mountain (Economic Size Units), as had been Farmers Federation, Ioan Agapi, Sebestyen Csaba, the president of the the case in the NRDP 2007-2013. Romanian farmers now have to and sells the surplus. The legal form fill in with their personal data and the considers “there are small farms that Association of Hungarian Farmers become accustomed to the new can be a self-employed person (PFA), information regarding the holding. are not taken into account although from Romania, also considers that, Thus the small farm was decided to definitions and to understand the an individual holding (II), a family they are important from a social, as opposed to the NRDP 2007-2013, be defined as having an SO of 8,000- equivalence with the old ESUs. holding (IF) or a commercial society There are already a series of such economic, cultural point of view the current programme contains 11,999 euro, whereas the medium- (SC), whose associates are members standard projects, available online and they create jobs. Many farms more measures that support small sized farm was defined as having an A few examples: of the same family. on the website of the Funding have problems because the lands farmers. As for the allocated money, SO of 12,000-250,000 euro. For wheat, an 8,000 euro SO means Agency for Rural Investments (the are fragmented, divided between it could have been more. “Regarding Authorities say these amendments 2.6 ESU, namely 15 ha. For fresh The authorities say the new measure former Payment Agency for Rural relatives or they are the object of the 15,000 euro support for family have been necessary because the vegetables in protected spaces, an will allow 10,000 family farms to Development and Fishing – www. litigations in court.” farms, we should mention that the previous methodology of classifying 8,000 euro SO means 7.7 ESU and 0.2 receive funding. apdrp.ro) which exempt farmers 8,000-12,000 SO (Standard Output) farming holdings in European ha. The family farm is based on the from project writing expenses. “Some consider the small farm thresholds are very close and very Size Units (ESUs) did not offer a Emergency Government Ordinance To simplify the procedures regarding Another simplifying measure is the should disappear, but there are few farms are eligible for this clear image of the economic size 44/2008 and can be defined as the the access to the EAFRD, the list of reference prices, which should entire areas in the country with category. The previous NRDP has of a holding – which the European holding which belongs to a family and authorities will provide standard alleviate public acquisitions. villages made only of small farms. also allocated eight billion euro, and Commission has noticed, too. which produces for own consumption projects that the farmers should only

8 9 Rural Romania – No. 2

Measure 11 – Organic farming – NRDP 2014-2020 (official version July 2014) Sub-measure 11.1 – Support for the Sub-measure 11.2 – Support for conversion to organic farming methods maintaining organic farming practices – – compensatory payment level compensatory payment level Organic farming in Romania and the Package 1 – Agricultural crops on arable lands Package 1 – Agricultural crops on arable lands support provided by the NRDP 2014-2020 (including fodder crops) – 295 euro/ha/year (including fodder crops) – 220 euro/ha/year Package 2 – Vegetables – 500 euro/ha/year Package 2 – Vegetables – 431 euro/ha/year

Organic farming is a global insufficiently developed (in fact, of organic farming’s contribution to Package 3 – Orchards – 620 euro/ha/year Package 3 – Orchards – 442 euro/ha/year phenomenon, practised on over 38 the entire supply chain for organic countless objectives and priorities, Package 4 – Vineyards – 532 euro/ha/year Package 4 – Vineyards – 480 euro/ha/year million hectares, in no less than 160 products is still not consolidated), the European Commission has countries. many of the certified products are established for the 2014-2020 Package 5 – Medicinal and aromatic plants – Package 5 – Medicinal and aromatic plants – sold as conventional ones. period a distinct, voluntary specific 460 euro/ha/year 427 euro/ha/year Over the past years, Romania has seen measure for organic farming. The a quick, constant pace of expanding The availability of organic products Commission’s vision is that payment The period of commitment for conversion Commitments are made for 5 years. After agricultural land and the number has improved significantly over the made to farmers for the conversion is maximum 2 years for annual crops and this period, they can be extended annually. of operators who have adhered to past two years, though, especially or maintaining of organic farming maximum 3 years for perennial crops. Commitments can follow the conversion period organic standards. Thus, in 2012, thanks to the interest of retailers. practices should encourage them to certified surfaces have reached 2.1% Today almost all great store chains participate in such measures and, immediately. of the country’s utilised agricultural (supermarkets, hypermarkets) offer therefore, to answer the increased area. From 2006, organic agricultural organic products and they represent demand of the society regarding During the period of commitments, crop rotation is allowed on the same parcel from one year to the areas have increased constantly up the most important distribution the use of environmentally-friendly following one between packages 1, 2 and 5. to 288,261 ha in 2012 (+268%), and channels for certified products in practices and high welfare standards the number of certified operators Romania. The positive trends of for animals. The payments may be cumulated with other types of payments granted per area: direct payments, has increased 4.6 times. Between production and the market of organic payments granted based on Article 31 – “Payments for areas facing natural constraints or other 2006-2012, the most spectacular products have been acknowledged at In the NRDP 2014-2020, Measure specific constraints.” Only packages 1 and 2 of each sub-measure can be combined with packages 4 increase was recorded in the segment the largest annual event of European 11 – “Organic farming” aims of “in-conversion” surfaces (+436%), organic farming, the Biofach Fair in to encourage conversion to organic (Green crops) and 5 (Adapting to climate change effects) of the sub-measure 10.1 on agri-environment especially during the last two years, Nuremberg: Romania was nominated farming methods, as well as and climate. which has highlighted the fact that as “Country of the Year 2013.” maintaining these methods after payment support to farmers within the end of the conversion period. Conditions for granting the minimum size of 0.3 ha (0.1 ha for The beneficiaries shall submit proof of the the rural development programme In the programming period 2007- The budget for this new measure payments vineyards and orchards, soft-fruit shrub necessary skills for the commitment or stimulates consistently the initial 2013, support for organic farming in Romania is 236.1 million euro, species, hops, fruit and vine nurseries); commit to: stages of development of the organic was part of Measure 214 for agri- including both European funds and Compensatory payments for organic • The beneficiary is registered • obtain the necessary sector. If the average pace of the environment. This measure was the national contribution. farming can be granted if: in each year when support is requested, knowledge and information regarding the years 2006-2012 is to be maintained, only used for payments to maintain • Beneficiaries are included in according to the legal provisions, as an implementing of the commitments in 2020, 4% of the country’s utilised organic practices on arable land The support is granted to farmers the active farmer category, within the organic farming operator; • ensure the necessary expertise agricultural area will be used for (including fodder plants), annual as a fixed amount per area unit (ha) meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) • During the entire period of the in the field of implementing commitments organic farming. vegetables (including mushrooms and and it represents a compensation for no. 1307/2013; commitment, the beneficiary concludes (through farming counselling or potatoes), medicinal and perennial income losses and additional costs • The beneficiary is the user of an agreement with an independent consultancy). The Romanian internal market plants (vineyards and orchards). The borne by the beneficiaries who sign an agricultural area, under the land use inspection and certificate on body, for organic products is only at an support for in-conversion farms was agreements regarding the conversion category of arable land, vineyards or authorized according to the provisions of At the same time, financial support early stage of development, with given according to the provisions of or maintaining of organic farming orchards, located in Romania, identifiable the national laws. degressivity will be applied. In case of no viable data regarding its size. Article 68 of the Council Regulation practices. in the Integrated Administration and farms with agricultural areas sized more Although the organic products (EC) no. 73/2009. Control System (IACS); than 50 ha, 100 ha, 300 ha, the payment consumption is slightly on the rise, • The minimum area of the value decreases for those agricultural area it represents a small percentage of By acknowledging the importance farm is 1 ha, and the eligible parcels have that exceed those size values. the total consumption of agri-food products. In 2011, organic products sales reached approximately 1% of the entire retail market in Romania. In the same year, exports reached a total value of 200 million euro Area Payment value / ha (twice as more as the previous year), whereas the internal market reached 1 – 50 ha 100% of the payment value for each hectare 80 million euro, with a constant 20% 50,01 – 100 ha 75% of the payment annual growth. However, the largest part of the domestic consumption is 100,01 – 300 ha 50% of the payment covered by imports. Romania is still Over 300 ha 35% of the payment a net exporter of gross organic goods. Because the processing sector is still

10 11 Rural Romania – No. 2

Risk management in agriculture under the new NRDP Mutual funds will compensate farmers affected by adverse events

Romanian farmers are exposed, year after year, to losses caused by climatic events.

The intervention of the measure “Risk management” is towards stimulating the involvement of the farmers in risk prevention and management schemes through mutual funds for agriculture.

Mutual funds aim to partially compensate the losses caused by natural disasters or adverse events. The compensation allows farmers to restore physical assets and guarantees their income security. Such risk management schemes shall cover, beside the losses caused by adverse climatic events, such as floods, droughts, soil erosions, the ones caused by animal and plant diseases, pest infestations and environmental yield losses. Annually, climate shocks low temperatures, below the limit of incidents (for instance, spills of toxic affect, on average, between one and biologic plant resistance. b) financial contributions for Eligibility conditions for the of the farmer over the period of the waste). three crops in all the regions of the At the same time, the total privately the administrative costs of setting funds immediately preceding three years or country. The most affected regions insured surface was, in 2011-2012, of up the mutual funds spread over as an average of three years based on In Romania there are no accredited are South-East, South Muntenia, 2.8 million ha, which represented 34% a maximum of three years in a - to be accredited the immediately preceding five-year mutual funds yet. Bucharest-Ilfov, South-West Oltenia. of the arable land. As for the insured digressive manner; - to have a transparent policy towards period, excluding the highest and On a national level the environmental surface, 80% of the insurances were c) financial contributions for all payments into and withdrawals of lowest annual values incident risk is low. issued to large farms and agricultural the interest on commercial loans the fund - in case of animal and plant diseases What is a mutual fund associations, with the remaining 20% taken out by the mutual fund for - to have clear rules attributing and pest infestation, the farmer Although outbreaks of epidemic being issued for farmers who owned the purpose of paying the financial responsibility for any debts incurred should have adopted the preventive A mutual fund is a scheme diseases among crops and animals under 10 ha each. compensation to farmers in case of - the have an initial capital stock and/or mitigating measures in accredited by the Romanian state have occurred during the past years crisis. formed exclusively by subscribing respect of reducing the effects of the which allows affiliated farmers to in Romania, the sanitary risk has farmers’ contributions only event. In case of negligence on the conclude insurances that would decreased considerably. NRDP 2014-2020: provisions of The support granted under this sub- part of the farmers, the compensation grant them compensatory payments, the Sub-measure 17.2 – “Mutual measure will be of maximum 65% of system shall provide penalties. for economic losses caused by funds” the eligible costs. Conditions for the compensation adverse climatic events, animal or Why we need mutual funds granted Lack of statistical reliable production plant diseases or an environmental This sub-measure will support the The expenses related to the data may be mitigated by using the incident. A high impact of climate changes following actions: reinsurance of the mutual funds, - the occurrence of the phenomenon official statistical data on average Of the three types of risk (climate, is expected to impact Romanian a) financial contributions as well as any capital contributions that gives rise to the right for production (published by the sanitary and environmental incidents farmers on medium and long-term. granted to the mutual funds for the to the funds are not eligible for payment of compensation must be National Institute of Statistics). risks), Romanian farmers are mostly financial compensations paid to compensation. officially recognised by the competent Before the request for the support, exposed to the climate risk. In our Besides, the insurance portfolio of farmers for economic losses caused authority the funds shall present data country, this type of risk has one the local private insurers does not by adverse climatic events or by - the production loss shall be at least collection procedures regarding of the highest levels among the EU cover catastrophic climate risks: the outbreak of an animal or plant 30% of the average annual production annual production data of farms states, exposing Romanian farmers drought, floods from overflow of disease or pest infestation or an and methods and procedures of to climate shocks that lead to 30% rivers, persistent rain, excessively environmental incident evaluating losses incurred by farmers.

12 13 Rural Romania – No. 2

but we have to consider the general better adapted to the requirements of the 200,000 euro amount. Thus, Stimulating association under the new NRDP character of the document. the market and methods of waste use the intensity of the support for and water treatment for environment revenue-generating projects will be It is very important to see the way protection. maximum 90% (according to the Alexandru Potor, president of the National in which the provisions of the forms intervention field), and for non- of cooperation measure, producer The only direction of forming revenue-generating projects it will Federation of Local Action Groups (NFLAG) groups and short supply chains will producer groups in the NRDP 2014- be 100%. For the measure that refers be implemented through Applicants’ 2020, as a distinct allocation, will to producer groups the funds will be Guides and Manuals. remain the measure “Setting up granted under the provisions of Art. The main measures of the NRDP adequate response in creating and Among the potential measures producer groups in the fruit-growing 27 (4) of the EAFRD regulations. 2007-2013 that referred to institutionalising associative entities that can be considered to stimulate Founding producer groups in the sector.” The other sectors (field crops, The new LEADER form also associative structures were Measure that should manage investments and associativity in agriculture we count period 2014-2020 particularly horticulture, wine-growing, raising states the priority of cooperation 142 “Setting up of producer groups” implement local development plans. the following: represents the modality through animals for milk, wood products projects that refer to facilitating – which benefited producer groups The same thing cannot be said an increase of the intensity of the which farmers can cooperate to etc.) shall be financed through the the implementation of actions recognised by the MARD between about Measure 142, though, which irredeemable support granted to improve their market participation, LEADER axis, if they are comprised that address to producer groups, 2007-2013, the measures of the should have prepared and reinforced associative forms, especially for to increase their incomes and to by the development strategy of each associations and partnerships. Axis IV LEADER – through Local agricultural holdings with a view investments under the NRDP 2014- increase viability and competitivity. LAG. Action Groups (LAGs) and Measure to an easier entry into the market, 2020; Thanks to cooperation among small Each LAG will be able to prioritise 125 “Infrastructure related to the for efficient valorisation of the associations should be guided, farmers, innovative actions that According to the new LEADER innovative actions, including development and adaptation of production by reference to large “taken by the hand,” during the first cannot be done outside an associative form, detailed conditions of granting supporting the founding of producer agriculture and forestry” – through players. three years of functioning; form are possible, such as developing support for innovative projects, groups, so that the potential organisations of water users for the start-up procedure of new storage methods for agri-food including projects that support beneficiaries could bring an added irrigations. The multiple explanations have come associations should be supported, production in order to increase food producer groups, shall be established value on a local level, together with from the farmers’ lack of appetite too, not just their functioning; safety, developing products that are by each LAG, without exceeding obtaining new benefits. Associativity in farming has always for pooling resources, due to an associative forms need dedicated been considered a sore point of unpleasant cultural heritage of the tax facilities; Romania. Communist age that has enshrined the laws of associative forms, often the fear of cooperatives in people. inconsistent, needs to be clarified; The measures of supporting the We believe these justifications are the National Rural Development implementation of LAG strategies superficial, though. Programme should provide, in the and those for the improvement of category of eligible costs, within irrigation schemes have found an the measure dedicated to producer groups, for the payment of the salary of a sales agent in order to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the associative form; an increase in the funding degree of projects with a processing component, which can be accessed by producer groups; proof of the right to use for lands where investments are made should be done through other means, as well (usufruct, bailment, lease etc.) because associative forms do not have a consolidated patrimony in the first phase.

Among the expressed initiatives there are some that relate to the field of rural development managed by the MARD, and others clearly require a more general intervention (for instance, the tax regime of the activity of agriculture associations).

Therefore, we need joint measures in order to stimulate association. The NRDP 2014-2020 answers these adjustment needs to a certain point,

14 15 Rural Romania – No. 2

The fruit growing sub-thematic and salesmen for the efficient established farmer, disadvantaged funding projects, the future valorisation of production. area, integrated project for beneficiaries are recommended to programme – an opportunity for the production-storage-marketing, purchase it because it is resistant to According to the authorities, innovative component in the project), weather and diseases, but also for the revival of Romanian fruit growing fruit-growers will be eligible for the applicant can receive maximum quality of the fruit. irredeemable support of 50-90%, 90% of the value of the project. In the last 23 years, the fruit-growing post-secondary education with an tree nurseries and by reconverting subject to meeting certain conditions. sector in Romania has been declining, agriculture field has decreased existing orchards, modernising them The minimum support is 50%, but, Although they are not compelled to and the surface covered with fruit- - weak association and with equipments, irrigation systems, under certain conditions (young use Romanian seeds for irredeemable growing plantation has been halved. cooperation – in 2013 there were 14 anti-hail meshes, building, extending This has had negative consequences associative forms, of which only 8 and modernising collection, storing on the economic development of producer groups covered exclusively and conditioning centres, as well as fruit-growing areas, on the life of the the production of the fruit-growing processing units. Retail spaces will locals and on the environment. system also be built inside the holding and means of transport will be purchased, Besides, the existing orchards (of On the other hand, the surface of in order to support the development 158,632 ha) are mostly old, over organic crops has increased from 211 of short food chains. Investments of three quarters of them aged more ha in 2006, to 6083 ha in 2014; of increasing energetic efficiency will than 25 years old. According to the these, 86% are in conversion and only also be targeted. productive potential, 52% of the fruit- 14% are certified. At the same time, growing areas are declining orchards. the fact that 68% of the fruit-growing surface is cropped in an extensive 16a – Cooperation in the fruit- Among other problems of the field we system, with traditional techniques, growing sector mention: means better environment protection - old technology, insufficient and in those areas. This measure will grant support for inefficient irrigations the establishment and functioning - although the conditions allow for In order to relaunch Romanian fruit- Operational Groups that will a significant number of species, growing, authorities have introduced facilitate cooperation between according to statistic, apple and in the new NRDP a sub-thematic entities in the fruit-growing sector, plum trees dominate the production, programme dedicated to orchards. including researchers of this sector, making up 77% of the total fruit for the development of pilot projects production and new products, techniques and - areas with crops in protected spaces The programme aims to: practices that would increase the are very few and are declining degree of innovation and the access of - warning and protection systems 1) Restructure the fruit-growing fruit-growers to solutions adapted to against hailstone, rain, frost are sector and to improve its competitivity their needs. This measure can grant lacking 2) Ensuring the durable management financial support for cooperation - in processing, technological of natural resources and adaptation among all the members of a value equipment is obsolete and there to the effects of climate changes chain, in order to create short food are no integrated systems for the 3) Obtaining a balanced territorial chains with a view to selling the valorisation of production, starting development of rural communities in production. from collecting and sorting, to fruit-growing grounds storing, packaging and selling - lands are very fragmented in the 9a – Establishment of producer hill areas (the average fruit-growing groups in the fruit-growing surface is less than 0.38 ha, below It will consist of three measures: sector the necessary surface to make it viable – according to the crop and the 4a.1 Investments in fruit- The measure aims to create the utilised system, this surface should growing holdings, as well as missing link in the food chain of be between 0.3 and 5 ha). sub-measure 4a.2. Investments this sector. The support will be - internal production can only cover in processing/marketing of granted for the establishment and the necessary volume of fruit only for fruit-growing sector products functioning of producer groups, trimesters III and IV (similar to Measure 121 of the and the investments made by these - the number of institutes and old NRDP, but applied only to associative forms will be supported stations for fruit-growing research fruit-growing). and prioritised under the other has decreased from 26 (in 1990) to 8 measures of the sub-programme. (2013) These sub-measures will support The support granted represents a real - the number of graduates of the restoration of fruit-growing area measure of reinforcing the role of professional, high school and by creating orchards, including fruit producers in relation with processors

16 17 Rural Romania – No. 2

polenta became the main food for states such as England, France, Italy, exported a record quantity for that The history of cereals in Romania peasants and household animals. Belgium and Greece. Soon after the context: over 3 million tonnes, Great Union of Alba Iulia, Romania which earned its epithet of “Europe’s At the beginning of the 19th century, had become the largest wheat, corn granary.” Romanian wheat crops wheat crops become ever more and barley exporter in the Danube only took charge on a national level popular, especially in Moldavia. area. after the 1940s, leaving corn crops Romanian production kept growing, behind. especially due to the building of steam At the end of the First World War, In 2013, Romania recorded an mills, first in Bucharest and then in the Romanians’ cereal production increase in the number of corn all three Romanian principalities. At only consisted of corn, as universal crops, the planted surface reaching the beginning of the 20th century, plant, used for the main food 47%, whereas the surface planted Romanians planted wheat on a total dishes: polenta, leavened bread and with wheat represented 39%. With surface of circa 4.5 million hectares. cornmeal cakes. Between the wars, this data, our country became the Between 1909-1913, impressive when wheat crops had diminished EU leader for corn crops. The main amounts of wheat and flour were drastically in the entire world due product exported by Romania has sold abroad: 7 million tonnes, to to weather conditions, Romania nevertheless remained wheat.

Cereals have been among the main an entire world, at the time. The which adapted to weather conditions riches of the Romanian territory. land was covered with wheat crops easily; in mountain areas, they Much has been said about the as far as the eye could see. History planted hulled wheat. After Trajan Dacians’ grains, but a recent mentions that when he reached the conquered them, the Dacians’ wheat, archaeological discovery proves that lands inhabited by the Dacians on the millet, barley and rye crops supplied wheat was planted on Romanian land left bank of the Danube, Alexander the conquerors’ food for a long time. almost 6,000 years ago. the Great made way with his sword On the emperor’s column there are through the wheat fields. even some images of Roman soldiers In our country, cereals had been reaping the Dacians’ crops. cultivated from prehistoric times. In In the time of the Dacians, the main 2010, the archaeological diggings in cereals were barley, wheat, millet, Throughout the Middle Ages, on Șimleu Silvaniei and Leșmir, in the rye and oats. The population was so the current territory of Romania, county of Sălaj, brought to light a evolved in cultivating plants, that great quantities of cereals were still few wheat seeds in a state of perfect cereal seeds were carefully selected. planted. However, society was then preservation. They were 6,000 years This is proven by a stock vessel from divided between rich boyars and poor old and were found in two holes, the 2nd century BC, discovered in peasants, and cereal consumption under mica schist slabs, which were Sucidava Clei. Millet was preferred was already rather varied. The used as primitive grinders at the time. for cooking a milk-based broth, as wealthy used the highest quality According to the analyses, the seeds wholesome as it was nourishing and wheat for their own use. They ate belong to the “emmer” wheat species, healthy; millet was called maize, white wheat bread, whereas the poor also known as the Egyptians’ wheat, without any connection to the had to turn millet into the main cereal a very resistant type, even in the cornmeal of our day and age. Wheat in their household. Romanians used most adverse soil and temperature was boiled as porridge or it was millet for bread, press cakes or broths conditions. ground for leavened bread. Barley with milk and cheese. After the 16th was consumed as broth and in bread century, once corn was brought to Thracians mostly planted barley dough, and oats were often fed to Europe, Romanians replaced millet and rye, in such great quantities animals. Dacians made very tasty and with cornmeal. The first corn crops that they even sold cereals beyond nourishing rye bread, but they always appear in the fields of Banat and in borders, mainly to Greeks and, later, used rye with wheat or barley. less than a hundred years they extend to Romans. to the entire field area in Muntenia. As for wheat species, Dacians Before the 17th century, corn took by The Dacians’ wheat crops impressed preferred “Triticum aestivum,” storm all Romanian territories, and

18 19 Rural Romania – No. 2

September stories – On the origin of the world

“They say God, when He made the world, made too much of it and it would not fit under the skies. What to do then? Go and send the bee to ask the hedgehog. The bee went to the hedgehog, but he wouldn’t tell her, and said: ‘If He’s God, He’ll know what to do all by Himself!’ The bee was wise enough not to go and she hid by the hedgehog’s nest. Then the hedgehog thought he was alone and said to himself: ‘Well, well! He’s asking me what to do! He should clench the earth in His hand, and make hills and valleys and that would fit!’ As soon as the bee heard that, she flew to God and told Him. The calendar of our villages And for that, God blessed her to make bee and let people eat it and that is why God loves bees.” (Elena Niculiță-Voronca – „Datinile și credințele poporului român, adunate și așezate în ordine mitologică”/The customs and beliefs of the Romanian Iulia Gorneanu people, collected and sorted in mythological order, Chernivtsi, 1903) “At the beginning when God made the earth it was not round as an apple, as teachers say, but flat, like a very wide plain, Although the village eternity is From the Gromovnic (a book of folk fermentation, becomes wine, a type without hills or valleys. Underneath there is only water and it floats on water like a plank on the surface of a lake, but it about to be lost, although the urban astro-divinatory wisdom of Eastern of liquor used in days of old in the would sink easily if it didn’t sit on two huge fish that keep it forever on their backs. The mountains, the hills and valleys has overcome the rural, although origin, which circulated widely in our ritual drinking bouts dedicated to the were made later and that is how: once, the fish that carry the earth on their backs flew into a rage and they started to rent models seem to invade our life country after the 18th century) we Thracian god Dionysus. wriggle madly. Then the earth shook and quaked terribly, and it split in places, forming valleys, and in other places the and souls, there are still enclaves learn that September is also called waves pushed it upwards, forming mountains and hills. It is also then that springs are said to have opened in the earth, where people live with a purpose, “Balance” („Cumpănă”) because “the It is also “between the St. Marys” that feeding water to the rivers flowing in the valleys. The best proof that the earth sits on water is that, the more you dig the where there is still a mysterious day becomes just like the night; days beehives are prepared for winter. ground, the more water you find. The cause of earthquakes is none other than the movement of the fish that carry the world, not fully comprehended, and nights match, and the sun stays The beginning of the apicultural earth on their backs. The earth has edges all around, and from the edge onwards there is only water. The heavens also tributary to the folk calendar, to here.” winter, at the middle of September, lie on the water at the edge of the earth.” (I. A Zanne, „Proverbele Românilor din România, Basarabia, Bucovina, Ungaria, ceremonial rituals and practices. brings along a six-month period Istria și Macedonia” / The proverbs of Romanians in Romania, Bessarabia, Bukovina, Hungary, Istria and Macedonia, Here the magical dimension, stories when bees feed on the honey they Bucharest 1895-1903) and legends are still alive and they “Between the St. Marys” have collected during the summer. govern the peasants’ lives. There It is a sterile period of the beehive, are fundamental differences in The period of time which starts after which lasts until 17 March, when perception between our calendar and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary the apicultural summer begins. The Discover the Romanian IE! theirs, differences in assuming time (Sântămăria Mare) and which ends agricultural calendar now marks the and, above all, differences in meaning. on 8 September, on the Birth of the beginning of autumn sowing, and the The woman with open arms, raised the Bird-Goddess brings the baby, („Fă-mă, Doamne, ce mi-i face/ Fă- Created to delimit sacred and profane Virgin Mary (Sântămăria Mică) pastoral calendar marks the return of to the sky, wearing the traditional her claws take the man’s body after mă Pasăre Măiastră,/ Să bat cu time, for instance, the Romanians’ is called “Between the St. Marys” flocks and herds from the mountains. shirt called ie, is the All-giving death, and her wings carry the soul aripile,/ Să descui ferestrele...”) folk calendar still governs their lives. („Între Sântămării”) and it is a very Shepherds put out the ritual fire at Bird-Goddess. Her chevron-shaped to the other world. “Make me, God, Knowing it means a love declaration important time for all the calendars the sheepfolds and they bring their emblem (V) is the old representation whatever/ Make me a Charmed to the past, to the nation’s ancestors, that make up the great Romanian flocks back from the mountains: „La of this divinity which occurred in Bird,/ To beat my wings,/ And to that Romania that we sometimes Folk Calendar: the Agrarian, the Sântămărie Mare cobor oile la vale,/ the Upper Palaeolithic. The beak of unlock windows…” miss so much. The folk calendar is a Pastoral, the Apicultural, and the La Sântămărie Mică nu mai rămâne connection to the profound Romania; Tree and Vineyard Calendars. nimică./ Rămân stâni fără stăpâni,/ it is the discovery of a local mythical This is when watchmen are hired Strunguţă fără oiţă/ Și turme fără philosophy, the comprehension of to guard vineyards and the vine is băciţă./ Cine stân-a mătura?/ the cosmic Christianity described by tied magically so that it will not be Vânturile de-or sufla,/ Pasărea cu Mircea Eliade. destroyed by birds, the grape harvest aripa…” begins, people make must, which, by

September – the beginning of the Biblical New Year

Many things can be said about September. Its first days are under the sign of sacrality; the first day of the month brings the Biblical New Year, a ritual time of renewal and beginning, when it is believed that God made the world and the earth.

September is called “Răpciune” in the Folk Calendar, which suggests the cold that begins to gather people around the stove: “in September children fall on cinder” („în Răpciuni cad copiii pe tăciuni”), with things becoming worse in October: “in October even the old ones fall” („în Brumari cad și cei mari”)… The names of Vinimeriu, Viniceriu, Vinițel are all related to Photo: Semne Cusute grape-picking and wine-making.

20 21 Rural Romania – No. 2

The most accessible mountain routes Dobru Mountain – the halt of Slănic And off-road lovers can enjoy the Discover the rural areas of Bacău in the Nemira Mountains address Moldova – the city of Slănic Moldova. landscapes and the challenges of to trekkers and cycling or off-road Cyclists have a 47-kilometre tour: a forest route starting in Slănic lovers. Thus, the “300 steps” route is Slănic Moldova – Târgu Ocna – Moldova and ending at the Monastery Beautiful stories sifted by time and time. It was built over the brook of the shape of a small wooden-carved dedicated to those who want to take Dofteana – Dărmănești – Sălătruc – Stefan the Great on the mountain glory relate to the name of the county Gârbovana and today it is only 14 jewel, inspired by the architecture of a walk in the midst of nature: Slănic the touristic inn Poiana Uzului. of Bolovanu, through the village of of Bacău: the civilisation of the metres long and 8 metres wide. It is village houses. Moldova – the “300 steps” path – the Cerdac. Carpiani, the bravest free Dacians of 11 metres high. the 1st and 2nd centuries, the coins of Petru Mușat or the first coins of Routes in nature the Principality of Moldavia (silver The way of creation Groschen and half Groschens, with The Nemira Natural Reserve is a bison head and lily flowers), in the The George Enescu Memorial House among the most renowned natural 14th century, the birth of Stefan the in Tescani is the place that inspired touristic sites of the county of Bacău, Great, in Borzești in the 15th century. the great composer to write his thanks to its number of species of History and faith blend in Bacău, famous opera Oedip. The house had protected plants, birds and animals. when tourists want to walk ... originally belonged to the family of The special value of the reserve his wife, Maria Cantacuzino, and it consists of the diversity of protected ... in the steps of Stefan the was the place where George Enescu species. The routes through the Great had wished to be buried. Today, the reserve allow tourists to admire memorial house hosts a memorial extremely rare flowers, such as the The Church of Borzești is the only museum, but also several cultural edelweiss. Around 103 species of church that the prince has not built events. Tourists can spend their birds enjoy protection in the Nemira after a victory on the battlefield, but weekends at the mansion, which can reserve: the common blackbird, the in memory of his childhood friend, board 35 people. raven, the wild duck, the crested tit Mitruț, hanged by the Tatars in an and the Western capercaillie. oak tree with a huge crown. The prince ordered the oak tree to be cut The underground city The great surface of the reserve also down and had a church built right contains places that are considered over the roots of the tree, which can The Târgu Trotuș site is a true natural miracles: the marsh Apa still be seen under the table in the medieval city, brought to surface as Roșie, a swamp formed at the Holy Altar. The Church of Borzești a result of archaeological diggings spring of the brook Apa Roșie, at an was built in Gothic style, of river that began in 1976. The specialists altitude of over 1,000 metres; the stones, with a very low door between also discovered private houses, lake Balătău, a natural dam formed the naos and the pronaos. The size of workshops, landfills, a cemetery spontaneously, after landslides, the entrance was established by the and even the ruins of a church, from which is three metres deep. height of Stefan the Great, wearing the 14th-17th centuries. The site is his crown, as a means of preventing located behind the Church Sfinții The dendrologic park Dofteana, at the the profanation of the place of Voievozi. edge of the village of Haghiac, is also worship by the pagans that used to worth a visit. The park was planned at raid into churches in the saddle. the beginning of the 20th century by The best of… the best! a passionate forester, in an English The Runc Monastery close to Buhuși style, with exotic resinous trees of has the Holy Archangels Michael and One could easily sketch a touristic various species. Their number has Gabriel as titular saints and it was route of the most authentic sights reached 680, and some of them are built by Stefan the Great in 1457, on in Bacău. The oldest oak tree in even 80 years old. a hill, where he had stopped to think Moldavia is on the territory of before the victory of Orbic, where he this country, on the valley of the defeated Petru Aron. The church was river Siret, in the village of Bijghir. made of wood, but it could not be The locals boast with a wonderful preserved. The current construction 25-metre-tall tree that they claim to was built on the same spot, with the be from the time of Stefan the Great. help of Ionașcu Isăcescu, in the mid- The oldest icon of the “Life-Giving 18th century. The monastery stands Spring” in Bacău is inside the Pogleț at the end of a climb through a forest. Monastery on the hill of Corbasca and it is painted on wood. The icon’s age Stefan the Great’s stone bridge, in is lost in the ashes of time. It is said to the village of Negoiești, is the only be miracle-working. The little church one preserved from the prince’s is a touristic site in itself, built in Photo: dofteana.ro

22 23 Rural Romania – No. 2

The pension La Ferma Veche, in the Cighir is another dish that most locals locality Ştefan cel Mare, is built close of Bacău enjoy. It consists of bread to the Bogdana Monastery and it offers dough on top of which a mixture of theme holidays, in a setting inspired lamb meat, egg and parsley is spread. by life on a farm. The pension is Soups are soured with tub borsch, located in a green area, with wooded mirabelle borsch or boiled grapes. hills, which ensure moments of total relaxation and introspection in the The zarbusca is made of cabbage or midst of nature. Rooms are large, stevia and it is soured with sour milk with simple, rustic-style furniture. or egg. As for meat consumption, The atmosphere is farm-like, there the tradition is still preserved: a hen is a restaurant that serves traditional is sacrificed about once a week; the Accommodation in Bacău foods; the dining hall is built entirely pig once a year, and fat is used very of wood and its ovens are fitted with often, for various dishes. Cattle are The Dofteana Park pension suggests rock bake stones. Tourists can take a sacrificed very rarely. the air of the 19th century, as it is ride in a wagon, like in the old days. located on the land of the Ghica Sheep or lamb meat is no longer family in the locality of Dofteana. consumed as a habit. Accommodation is available in Traditional foods a newly-renovated wing of the building, which was initially the Tochișa is a tasty dish, very easy Popular creations of old and hunter’s cabin. Inside we can still see to cook, which brings the whole new days accessories meant to remind us of the family together. It consists of sheep medieval lifestyle. The pension has a cheese melted in a frying pan. It The building of the Răcăciuni City wine cellar, several terraces, a granite can be cooked quickly and it is very Hall hosts a spectacular collection, fireplace, and the walls are covered nourishing. consisting of the creations of people in wooden panelling. It has rustic on the Siret Valley, made between the decorations. 19th and 20th century.

They are folk costumes, archaeological Mr Marian Lungu earns his living by makes costumes on demand, in the pieces, decorations for the house. The tailoring folk costumes. traditional style, by hand. He receives collection is named after the one who “First I made a bundiță, then I made orders from folk bands, but also from has gathered the objects over dozens more. I’ve learned from catalogues common people who want to wear of years, the priest Vasile Heisu. of folk patterns, I’ve looked for them at weddings, New Year’s Eve traditional costumes at the elderly parties or at church. “The Romanian people in the village, and I also people in Canada, Norway, the USA Folk artisans collaborated with ethnography love the traditional patterns in the institutes.” country. They bought some from me, Mr. Marian Lungu is one of the too.” youngest folk artisans in Bacău. He The women in his home – his wife, lives and works in Sănduleni. his sister, his mother and his mother- His greatest regret is: “I haven’t in-law – also help him. “According lived the time of the authentic folk He is only 30 years old, but his love to the complexity of the pattern, it costume. When I was born, many of of folklore has helped him turn the could take me between a week and its elements had already disappeared. art of the folk costume into a real a month to make a costume. We My grandparents haven’t seen it the craft. He stole the craft from his haven’t got rich, but we lead a decent way it truly was, either.” grandmother, his mother and the life. I love my job and I put passion women in the village. At present, in it,” Marian Lungu confessed. He

24 25 Rural Romania – No. 2

People

first part they found their inspiration In the first year of the business, a year and a half of working, the From sales to jams, a Costești business in cookbooks a few decades old, “Bunicel” sold approximately 1,200 two entrepreneurs say their income which they found at the National jars of marmalade (five types) and has not been spectacular, but they Library. For the second, they started jam (two types), with a monthly amortised their initial investment Before the story of the “Bunicel” testing various fruit combinations, income of approximately 2,000 lei. and they have even made a profit. brand took shape, Mihai Zaharia, according to their own tastes. This is A jar of “Bunicel” marmalade or Their development plans include a graduate of the Politehnica how they came up with melon, apple jam costs between 15 and 17 lei, and extending the current orchard, University of Bucharest had worked and cinnamon marmalade, pumpkin, deliveries are made by courier. which contains approximately 200 five years in sales. He liked life in apple and raisins marmalade or fruit-bearing trees, by purchasing a a multinational company, but at a peach, mirabelle and cardamom jam. Mihai and Alexandra did not hurry. land nearby, as well as having their certain point he realised he wanted They waited to sell the entire last green nut marmalade certified as a his own business. So in the spring of All the varieties, with very few year’s production and only after they traditional product. This year they last year he returned to his roots, in exceptions (they bought the melons), received a positive reaction from have managed to turn the house into Costești, Argeș county, to be precise, are made of what the orchards their clients they decided to continue a small factory. Mihai and Alexandra where he had grown up and where his produces, they are made in the in 2014. Meanwhile, Mihai quit his trust the future of “Bunicel,” first of parents had lived. His jam business cauldron, on wood fire, without sales job. For this summer they have all because of the positive reactions started as a game. On the 1,500 sqm preservatives. “With the money we already prepared 1,500 jars of jam of their clients. “The best feedback is land in Costești he had inherited from have invested so far we have grown and marmalade which they have sold the second order,” the entrepreneur his parents, Mihai found an orchard a lot. Next spring we want to receive through their website, all around the says. And they had it. which seemed to have potential, European funds to get to the next country, mostly in Bucharest, but although it hadn’t been taken care of level of development. And we also also at traditional products fairs, until then. He picked the fruit, boiled count on the support of the National such as RuralFest Bucharest. By the them in cauldrons, on wood fire, and Association of Young Farmers from end of the year, Zaharia estimates Photo: Bunicel the result convinced him it was time Romania (ANTPAR),” Zaharia says. they will sell almost 4,000 jars. After to start his jam business. His first jars were of green nut marmalade, the variety his partner, Alexandra Răpăilă, likes most. The autumn of 2013 was the starting point for “Bunicel,” with an initial investment of 2,000 euro, money saved by the two entrepreneurs. remember. Because he does not have precisely, they wanted to please the a sale outlet or contracts with large two categories of consumers: the The name of the brand was retailers, Zaharia thought the sure conservative, who missed the tastes Zaharia’s idea, he wanted it to sound way was to invest in developing and of their childhood, and those willing surprising and to be very easy to promoting a website that would also to experience new tastes. For the work as an online sales platform. This was how www.bunicel.ro was born, where Zaharia sells most of his production and which cost him around 1,000 euro (setting up and promotion through Google AdWords advertisements).

In a year and a half, the investment reached circa 5,000 euro, which he has already recovered by selling hundred of jars of jam and marmalade.

Tradition and innovation

The two entrepreneurs have started with green nut and sour cherry jam, but they decided that, in order to make it on a market with serious competition, they had to blend tradition and innovation. More

26 27 Rural Romania – No. 2

from Cluj, irrespective of the process,” says Felix Arion, the year and perhaps next year we will Năsal cheese back on market economic context. The Taga cave, AgroTransilvania Cluster general find in stores the first Romanian where cheese is ripened, is part of manager. product with a protected designation the heritage of Transylvania and of origin in the European Union. In the spring of last year, Napolact other brands will be produced, aside what had happened to their bounty it is our duty to do everything we Production of Năsal cheese is announced they closed the factory from Năsal (Napolact exclusive and they discovered not only that can to support the local production scheduled to start at the end of this in the locality of Taga, in the county brand). the cheese had a good taste, but that of Cluj, where they also produced it had also changed its colour into the Năsal cheese, “the Romanian AgroTransilvania Cluster is a yellowish-red and had acquired a Camembert,” as specialists had structure consisting of economic strong smell. Legend also has it that, dubbed it. The company Friesland agents, research entities, institutions shortly afterwards, the peasants were Câmpina, which also owns the and catalysts of the agro-industrial punished for their recklessness, but brand Napolact, mentioned their sector in Transylvania. Its partner, the count kept storing his cheese production line was going to be Cooperativa Someș Arieș is formed in the cave. The tradition of letting conserved starting June and the 12 of over 50 farms, which raise over fresh cheese to mature in caves was employees were going to be made 2,000 dairy cows together. With 550 transmitted from one generation to redundant. Their reasons were large employees, Fabrica de Brânzeturi the next, so that the product seems to production and promotion costs and Transilvania processes 32 million have existed on our land forever. the Romanians’ low interest for local litres of milk every year, collected products. from 1,300 selected farms from The historical truth says that in 1954, Transylvania. Restarting production after the nationalisation of the main After almost a year’s break, the story is mostly due to the farmers’ desire to cave where locals left cheese to age, of the Năsal cheese seems to come bring Transylvanian cheese products the industrial production of the Năsal back to life. At the end of August, on the market. fresh cheese started, and in 1971, Friesland Câmpina concluded when the new factory was built, the a partnership with Fabrica de The story of the Năsal cheese is place where the strong-flavoured Brânzeturi Transilvania so that the shrouded in legend. It is said that, in “wonder” occurs was connected to latter could restart the production times gone by, a few peasants stole electricity. in Taga. The majority shareholder part of the fresh cheese of a strong of Fabrica, AgroTransilvania Cluster rich count who ruled the land of Taga “The partnership agreement with and its partner, Cooperativa Agricolă and they hid it in a cave close to the Friesland Campina Romania Someș Arieș, will be in charge of milk village of Năsal. After a while, the represents an opportunity to pay supply, and under their umbrella thieves returned to the cave to see forward the recipes and traditions

Photo: Viorel Dudău

28 29 Rural Romania – No. 2

Vegetables one like away How a few small entrepreneurs manage to sell their products through social networks

Valentina has managed to gather a strong community around her business. Those who write to her are people who usually look for healthy food solutions, “they are educated clients, who know what they want, and Facebook is an easy way of communicating with these people,” Valentina says.

Moreover, the fans of „Legume de Țară” are of all ages, even retired people who buy online. In short, her social network page is the means through which she can have her clients close, by keeping them connected to her small business every day. Her constant posts, the personal tone that Valentina uses and the possibility of giving feedback in real time have brought her the trust of her clients. Besides the immediate entrepreneur-client interaction, a Facebook account is perhaps the cheapest means of promoting a business. With a budget of a few hundred euros per year and with little effort, one can reach a substantial pool of possible clients, taking into surface in the future, and to diversify to the online area is represented by children and who want to consume consideration the fact that there are the vegetable types. Just one click the small maintenance costs, much natural products. So are those who approximately 7 million Facebook away. lower than those for a physical store. buy vegetables on the mobile app. accounts in Romania. Then, in the case of orders placed Based on the same social network, on Facebook or the mobile app, the The channels offered by social and Together with the account on the there was created “Tomatina,” a delivery time is reduced and goods online networks seem to function in social network, her business is also brand developed by the entrepreneur stocks are no longer necessary. the case of Mihai Radu’s business. supported by an online shop, where Marian Radu, together with his Even though it had a slower start, the clients can order her products. As husband and four other friends, all of Thus, the risk that some vegetables “Tomatina” business, which spreads With over five years’ experience in land in the locality of Albota in Argeș opposed to an ordinary grocery them nostalgic for the childhood they may deteriorate diminishes. So on a hectare planted with seasonal marketing, Valentina Ioniță started County, they enclosed it, connected store or market, the online store’s had spent at the countryside and for the entrepreneur only picks the vegetables, has had an average of her business „Legume de Țară” it to utilities and built foil tunnels on advantage is that products can be the authentic taste of vegetables. vegetables he needs to sell. Moreover, seven and ten orders per day, with an two years ago, when she bought a 1,200 sqm surface. In June 2013, ordered and delivered to any corner choosing an online store instead of a average value of 70-80 lei. the domain www.legumedetara.ro after a 20,000 euro investment of of the country, with just one click. Besides the Facebook page, which physical sale outlet is a consequence together with her husband. their own funds, they delivered the has gathered over 2,000 fans since of the rise in numbers of Facebook On a competitive market, with a lot of first orders for naturally-grown Although the first year was more July, Marian Radu developed a accounts in Romania, in the first challenges, such as agriculture is, the They wanted to start a business they vegetables. difficult, with great losses because website that functions as an online place, but also a consequence of niche of social networks can prove to liked and that they knew something of pest infestations, Valentina’s grocery store and an application current trends: large retailers have be profitable for small entrepreneurs, about. “We have always had a little Their Facebook page, which has over business now produces a wide range launched this autumn, which enables begun to move their business in the thanks to small implementation garden for our own use. We wanted 6,800 fans now, helped Valentina of seasonal vegetables: tomatoes, clients to order vegetables on their online environment. Most clients costs, as well as to the wide pool of to produce something and to be more to promote the business. By posting cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, salad phones. One of the reasons why he who come from the Facebook page clients they can reach. than mere salesmen,” Valentina says. almost every day, mostly photos of rocket, mangold, corn or kale, and has focused his energy and part of “Tomatina” are educated people, Half a year later, the two bought a the products grown in her garden, she plans to extend the cultivated his 60,000 euro initial investment aged between 30 and 40, who have

30 31 Rural Romania – No. 2

knows all the recipes of the area. butterflies… So the energy of prayer few nuns more resistant to… stings.” Traditional monastery foods in Aninoasa She has them in her blood,” Father is transmitted even more in the food The nuns at the Aninoasa Monastery Clement tells us. we prepare.” do not look for special benefits and they do not plan to expand their sales, Traditional recipes are not really Natural raw material, without by looking for other outlet markets. mysterious locally. “Any housewife preservatives or flavourings “We may increase the number of around knows them. Each of monastery goods. Especially the them adds something or removes The nuns at the Aninoasa Monastery syrups. We will do it according to something else, but they are all take care of the entire process of the fruit the garden and the forest the same, basically. There is no producing honey, dairy products will offer us. We produce from what pantry without syrup, zacuscă or and berry syrups, from picking the God gives. I don’t think we will look marmalade, no attic without fruit, fruit to selling the products. The raw for another outlet market for our no stockroom without cheese in a material is natural, with no trace of products, because we are pleased churn.” preservatives or flavourings. with what we sell at the monastery.”

The monastery products at Aninoasa “Everything is natural. We raise The unwritten message that have an invisible secret, though: the animals and we graze them in accompanies the sale of traditional prayer and blessing. “It has been the garden. We dry the hay for the products at the Aninoasa Monastery scientifically proven that if you take winter. We have plum and apple is an urge for long life. “Eat as healthy two glasses with the same type of tree orchards, and we pick berries as possible! Eat natural products. If water and curse the first, and say and pine buds from the surrounding you buy products with additives and nice words to the other, when the hills. The nuns go and pick them E’s, you will pay more for medicine water freezes the crystals in the first by the basket. We take the beehives than for buying organic products. glass will take hideous shapes, and to the bee keeper. We have hired How and where will you buy back those in the second will be regular, someone who takes care of them. But your lost health?” even taking the shape of flowers or we do the honey extractions, I and a

The story of monastery products The products of the Aninoasa afternoon. They had tasted it and began hundreds of years ago, when Monastery have been certified they had decided to stock up for Saint Anthony received the mystery by the Ministry of Agriculture the winter. Others came to our of deliverance from the Angel of God: since 2006 monastery during the following prayer blended with handiwork. So weeks. They had looked for us in says Father Clement, the abbot of the Honey, fruit syrup and monastery Bucharest, on Sunday, and they Slănic Monastery and the confessor dairy products made at Aninoasa had not found us anymore. Both of the Aninoasa Monastery. have already gained a faithful group of dairy products, especially yellow clients. The nuns had their own stand cheese and home-churned butter, The nuns at the Aninoasa Monastery at the traditional product fair that and syrups were appreciated by the live like that, to the letter. They took place between 23-24 August in customers.” pray and they work. The fruit of this Bucharest, in front of the Ministry of lifestyle are the natural products Agriculture and Rural Development. they sell in the monastery shop to “We participated at the fair in an Traditional recipes, prayer and make a living and help a few poor exceptional way, that is, we made an blessing families around the monastery. “We exception from what daily life in a do not produce to trade. We do not monastery means, because we were Several things contribute to the want to expand our granaries, like called by Ministry representatives to flavour of the dairy products, the fruit the rich man in the Holy Scripture. be handed the certificates, renewed syrups and the honey. First of all, the Even though demand may rise, nationally,” Father Clement says. traditional technique and recipes, we will produce what is necessary transmitted from one generation for us to support ourselves and to The products sold well. “I had the joy to the next in the area of Argeș and help the poor people in our locality, to see a few people who had bought Muscel. “At Aninoasa, we have a when necessary,” Father Clement monastery syrup in the morning nun who is almost 80 years old. For explained. come back to the fair during the the young nuns she is Mother. She

32 33 Rural Romania – No. 2

and so, with carefulness and good comfortable rooms, the restaurant preserved through professionalism The revamped grandeur of the Haller taste, they have given the place the whose menu is based on traditional and care for the guests. In the future, air it had had once upon a time. foods and international cuisine at they intend to build a spa centre as the same time, the wine cellar that well. Castle, in a four-star boarding house It was a professionally done preserves special collection wines, The Foris family does not see the restoration work, by maintaining the park around the castle, planned as pension as a mere business. It the structural concept, by preserving a haven for peace and leisure, have all is, indeed, a family business, but The Foris family had seen castles the original material, by using other made the pension reach the tourists’ renovating the castle was mostly and manors rehabilitated and materials that were compatible to the preference. Many come here for the done to save a heritage. “We know introduced in the touristic circuit old ones and traditional intervention wonderful comfort, for the elegance the business will not recover the in other countries. The fact that and execution methods, specific of the place, but also for being able to investment we have made very soon, their two daughters were tourism to the age when the building was sleep in an old castle, where they can but we have made a dream come graduates pushed them to start such erected. As it was a heritage building, even admire objects that belonged to true, a dream we the Foris family an ambitious endeavour, as well. the most arduous task was obtaining the last noble family that owned it. had, and we hope our children and They started looking for the perfect several specific authorizations, but grandchildren will carry it forward location, they visited various places, the effort was rewarded. The castle had many guests, among and expand it. We already have a lot and the offer they deemed the most whom were Prince Nicholas of of plans for the future,” says Réka convenient was the one received from Romania, but also stars such as Foris. the Hallers. Renowned guests and stars have singer Andra and the Hungarian pop visited the renovated castle musician Demjen Ferenc. It is not just a creed of theirs, but also Thus began the adventure of restoring an incentive for those who can make a castle that used to be the meeting In the year 2011 Pension Haller One can see the progress year after such endeavours, both to make their point of the great noble families in Castle opened its gates for tourists. year, and the flow of tourists is still dreams come true and to contribute Transylvania. The luxuriously furbished, extremely on the rise. The high standards are to saving the national heritage.

An investition partly done with European money

Through the National Rural Development Programme, the Foris family obtained irredeemable funding that allowed them to refurbish the castle. The project had a total budget of over 500,000 euro though, with the beneficiary’s contribution of more than 300,000.

In the year 2007, the Foris family had bought a building without doors or windows, whose wonderful murals had been covered with clay and lime by the feverish zeal of the Communists, while the roof and the vaulted ceilings were mostly collapsed. The cellar, which had held an impressive amount of wine, had been turned into a mushroom In the heart of Transylvania, only ruled those lands, then decay, when bed, and it was full of water when 20 kilometres from Târgu Mureș, Communism mutilated it, bitterly they took the castle. The building, an old castle that had been doomed wiping off any trace of nobiliary splendidly furbished once, with to oblivion has found his age-old grandeur. Seven years ago a few chandeliers brought from Vienna, splendour. The Haller Castle, of the enterprising people acquired it. The had been turned into a school, a locality of Ogra, is now open once Foris family bought the derelict boarding house, the headquarters of again, this time for tourists. building from the last heiress of the Militia and the Popular Council, the domain, Ilona Haller, who had only to be abandoned afterwards. The 400-year-old edifice has had been dispossessed of it when the And yet the Foris family members a troubled history. It experienced nationalisation took place, and who were not discouraged. They listened greatness, while it was administered had regained her rights over the to the stories of the Hallers, they by the Hungarian noblemen who property in the year 2006. studied the old photos of the castle

34 35 Rural Romania – No. 2

The Lidia Bodea Museum in Sălaj, a Romanian folk hope chest

”Oh, little Ligia, you must have been for free. For the first objects she had listed by a reputed ethnographer old once!” collected, the child did various chores of the Ethnographic Museum of in the households, but she didn’t Transylvania, Augustin Goia. The This was what the village women find anything too difficult, knowing collection includes valuable folk used to tell Ligia Bodea, a 12-year- she would take the desired object costumes, ceramics, household items, old girl who struggled, with the home. She walked through all the furniture, hope chests, huckaback innocence and enthusiasm of her age, villages in the Barcău Valley and she towels, tablecloths and glass-painted but with the strength of a grown-up, gathered, from attics and cellars, a icons. Romanian visitors, as well as to make her dream come true. At an real treasure of Romanian tradition. tourists from Germany, England, age when other girls cradled dolls, She obtained many objects by going France or Hungary, are fascinated Ligia became the youngest folk art through adventures that remind by the beauty spilling from this collector in Romania. of the character Nică in the stories authentic Romanian hope chest. written by Ion Creangă. In the village of Iaz, in the locality Ligia Bodea loves the house most, of Plopiș, Sălaj County, in a small After they learned about the child’s but she also cares a lot about the wooden house, built around the endeavours, her parents were folk costume her grandmother had year 1880, Ligia Bodea spent her incredulous at first, but they soon given her and the loom. The latter childhood with her grandmother. realised that what they considered was “brought round” by Ligia’s She is now a 21-year-old woman, child’s play was in fact a real passion. other grandmother, who has woven student of the Faculty of Physical So they decided to support her, countless carpets for the museum. Education and Sport in Cluj. The sometimes even paying important Another of Ligia Bodea’s passions is spiritual connection between the amounts of money for authentic folk painting icons on glass. Her works two was so strong that when her costumes or special furniture. are known in the entire country, and grandmother died, Lidia, although In nine years, grandmother’s little this year she had an exhibition at the she was only 12, stood against her house, turned into a museum Palace of Parliament. For the past family’s decision to demolish the little appreciated both by the public and the five years, every summer the young house. So she managed to save that specialists, came to host 550 objects, woman has organized the painting special universe, the gate towards her heart and her dreams, knowing that it was the only way to make her camp “Tabăra din sufletul meu. grandmother’s bright spirit last. Tradiție și originalitate” in the village At the beginning there was only this of Iaz. For ten days, 15 children love. However, soon afterwards it in Sălaj are taught the art of glass acquired new sides, and her child’s painting, and some of them are truly soul began to see love for beauty and talented. The camp is free of charge the passion to preserve traditions and it concludes, every year, with a and pay them forward. varnishing and a purification service for the icons. The first exhibits of what would become the Museum of Folk Arts The student Ligia Bodea has more in the village of Iaz were dear ambitious projects. After relocating objects from her grandmother’s an old wooden house from the house. Then, without telling her locality of Plopiș, which she has parents, Ligia started knocking on saved from demolition and which she her neighbours’ doors, looking for has furbished in the traditional style, old things, forgotten in attics. Some with peasant furniture and straw villagers were sceptical and they mattresses, where foreign guests are even tried to discourage her, asking accommodated, she is now planning her why she would need things that to relocate a Slovak house from the other people throw away. There were locality of Făgetu. The house, built also people who found her initiative in 1860 and covered with straw, will laudable and who encouraged her. soon find its well-deserved place in But almost no one gave her anything the yard in the village of Iaz.

36 37 Rural Romania – No. 2

Experiences

My farm Plant care

Pioneering work with aquaponic farms in The seeds are first planted in separate soil. After two weeks at most they are Romania transplanted to the aquaponic farm. As they mature they are picked, and The Aztec floating gardens or the Chinese flooded rice plantations have leaped through time and reached they are replaced by other young Romania. Today they are called aquaponic farms. plants. It is a continuous process of planting, picking and planting once Aquaponics is a rather unusual term as a natural fertiliser. The water is on the excessive nutrients from the again. Dry leaves must be removed for Romanians. However, it is an recycled and reused, without the fish water at once. Light has a very important extremely old concept that defines the intervention of man and unhealthy - the sump where water flows to and role in raising plants, so it has to ingenious way of blending agriculture substances. from which it is pumped back to the be provided generously. In winter, and raising fish. The Aztecs and the fish tank, already clean. the farm could need an artificial Chinese had made true networks of illumination system, especially on artificial channels on whose surface How to build an aquaponic farm cloudy days. they cultivated vegetables in the fish Fish care water, and not in the soil. An aquaponic farm needs several elements, irrespective of the surface An aquaponic farm needs daily Romanian aquaponic pioneers Today the principle is the same, and it is built on, be it an area in the attention. It usually takes about a aquaponics is a solution for those vegetable garden or a small spot on quarter of an hour to care for it, but The idea of opening an aquaponic who want to plant the vegetables they the balcony or terrace. the duration can vary according to farm in Romania seems to attract need and manage to save money and the surface of the farm. The water mostly young, active people. Several eat healthy at the same time. You need: level in the fish tank must always be projects for aquaponic farms, smaller - a tank for raising and feeding the maintained the same. Fish need daily or larger, have been started in various The two components of the aquaponic fish meals, rich in proteins. Measuring corners of the country. Students, system are plant culture and fish - a settling basin the water pH levels should be done newly married couples or people who culture. This combination ensures - a biofilter, where the bacteria that daily. The tank has to be very well simply want a change in their lives a natural process, because fish and will turn the fish waste into nitrates, ventilated and the water temperature take interest in this system, most plants take care of each other: the necessary for the plants to feed has to be measured constantly. of them considering it a business plants’ roots permanently clean the - the hydroponic system, the place project. fish water, and their waste is used where vegetables are planted to feed In Focșani, a young married couple invested in 2011 all their savings on starting an aquaponic farm. They started by cultivating lettuce. In especially because maintaining such production could be larger in an Timișoara, two students built a small a “farm” is minimal and it does not aquaponic farm, when compared to aquaponic farm in the yard of their require specific training. that of a traditional farm. The surface, parents’ house, where they planted “Especially at the beginning, you the investment and the location of an lettuce, tomatoes and peppers. need to consult a horticulturist, but aquaponic farm are at the latitude of as soon as you have the background its owners, as it can “accommodate” In Slatina, an aquaponic farm was for a solid system, the rest can seem anywhere and to any sizes. built in an apartment building, a walk in the park.” destined exclusively for own use; The disadvantage is that not any kind lettuce, basil, broccoli and spinach of plants can be cultivated. Green were planted. Andrei Mușat, from Pros and cons vegetables are the easiest to plant in “Ferma Urbană,” has great plans for aquaponic farms, whereas flowers the aquaponic farm he has started in An aquaponic farm has the great are rather difficult to plant. his apartment building: “I intend to advantage of guaranteeing a lack of make a farm of at least 100 square chemical fertilisers in raising plants. Maintenance costs are high because metres, provided with the newest If all the maintenance conditions of of electricity use, as plants need extra technologies, but I need financial such a farm are respected, vegetables light, which is often artificial. support. I wish to make ‘Ferma grow large and tasty, without the Urbană’ an accessible way of raising need for artificial stimulants. plants for everyone.” Water consumption is reduced, Having gained experience, Andrei because water is recycled and reused, Mușat recommends Romanians so the costs are lower from this point Photo: Ferma urbană to cultivate their own vegetables, of view. It is said that vegetable

38 39 Rural Romania – No. 2

My business Chocolate factory in Odoreu, Satu Mare workplaces and goods for export

In Odoreu, in the county of Satu The total budget of the project was of Local workforce spread like a puzzle, which buyers of milk chocolate filled with a fat Expanded rice is a natural Mare, there is a chocolate factory 3,026,020 euro, and the beneficiary’s have to open on every day of the cocoa cream (“icy confect”), based on replacement for bread, snacks and that sells its products in Eastern co-funding represented 1,426,102 The investment had a special impact Catholic Advent (the December days a recipe invented by the company’s other products of the same category. Europe, Germany, the USA, Finland euro of it. on creating local workplaces: over before Christmas), to get a piece of founder, doctor Walter Mueller. and Great Britain. The factory, part 80 people found a job here. In the chocolate every day. The Odoreu factory also makes of the “Wawi”concern in Germany, is current economic context, with diet and diabetes products, based one of the important investments in Modern machinery reduced opportunities on the work An innovative product of the Odoreu on expanded rice and fructose- Satu Mare. market in rural areas, the investment factory is the Ice-Bar, which consists sweetened chocolate. The project allowed the purchase was a real help for the communities Walter Mueller, the shareholder of of modern, 100% computerised in Odoreu and in the surrounding the “Wawi” concern – which has machinery. Some examples would localities. produced chocolate for over 50 years be packaging machines, dosing, – knew the Satu Mare local Camil labelling, wrapping, tempering Burian and gave rise to the company machines (to bring the chocolate to High quality products Mueller & Prietenii. a certain temperature), mould filling machines and cereal expanding The new technologies allow the With the help of irredeemable machines. production of various chocolate funds, available under the NRDP, products made with expanded the company built a production unit An industrial oven was also bought, cereals: chocolate-covered rice and of 1,758 sqm, made of a production along with a tank for storing wheat bars, hazelnut chocolate, store, warehouses for raw material, chocolate, compressors, filters, chocolate figures. finite products and packaging, dining cooling channels and unloading belts. hall, offices, changing rooms and Among the company’s products there sanitary groups. Next to the production store there are Easter bunnies, chocolate Santas was built a café shop with a glass and various other figures, but also The irredeemable funding was wall, through which clients can different types of chocolate for the granted through the State Aid watch the operations in the store, local market. Scheme XS 13/123A/2008, afferent by discovering how the various Christmas chocolate calendars are to Measure 123 – “Adding value to chocolate products are made. also much appreciated. The entire box agricultural and forestry products.” contains small cardboard “windows,”

40 41 Rural Romania – No. 2

My community Telemea de Ibănești – waiting for Brussels recognition

Romania has a single European magnesium than brine obtained by the importance of organic farming certified product as a Protected dissolving salt in water. After various products. In 2011, in the localities Geographical Indication (PGI) – checks, the documentation for the where the company collects milk, Magiun of Topoloveni. Two other product Telemea de Ibănești was sent they organised meetings with the products, the Ibănești cheese to Brussels, and the PDO (Protected local authorities, with representatives (Telemea de Ibănești) and the Novac Designation of Origin) certification is of the Payments and Intervention smoked fish from Țara Bârsei (Pește expected by the end of the year. Agency for Agriculture, of the Novac afumat de Țara Bârsei), are Ministry of Agriculture, of county waiting for recognition as Protected The company Mirdatod in Mureș directorates, in order to discuss the Designation of Origin (PDO) this County started its activity in 1994, benefits of organic certification with year. with 50 litres of milk collected every the farmers. day and today it collects 40,000 The group that applied for PDO litres per day, says Nicu Bumb. At the Today, Mirdatod owns organic recognition for Telemea de Ibănești beginning it was a family business, certificates for six of its products: is the Association for the Promotion with three employees, but now, 20 organic yellow cheese, organic fresh of Traditional Products on the years later, has 97 employees and it white cheese, organic matured Gurghiu Valley. The group consists has been extended and modernised white cheese, organic sheepskin of SC Mirdatod Prod SRL, the Local in the meantime. Mirdatod is proud cheese, organic whey cheese and Hodac Subsidiary of the Association of purchasing milk as raw material organic sour cream. Starting with of Taurine Breeders in Mureș from producers of the mountainous the animal’s food (no insecticides or County, the Gurghiu Subsidiary of areas, which are not polluted, and this other chemical substances are used the Association of Taurine Breeders contributes to the taste and quality of on the grassland) and up to finite in Mureș County and the Local the products. Most of the milk comes product that consumers buy (with Subsidiary of the Association of from households that have between 1 no E’s or additives, etc.), everything Taurine Breeders Ibănești. and 5 cows. is natural. Today, 15% of the milk used by Mirdatod is organic and it Dairy milk breeders from the In 2008, the company started the goes into the products that have an localities of Hodac, Ibănești and process of national certification organic certification, Nicu Bumb Gurghiu, amounting to almost of traditional products, and has explained. 900, have formed the Association managed to obtain certification for of Traditional Producers of the 13 such products. A year later it tried In September 2014, the Farming Gurghiu Valley, because they need to convince the local population of Directorate Mureş received the a form of association in order to necessary documents for the title receive European certification for of “established recipe over 30 years their products. “When we drafted old in the field” for four products: the technical specifications, we had yellow cheese, sheepskin cheese, sour a vast documentation. We collected cream and whey cheese. Because the monographs, we looked for books, factory has exceeded the limit of doctorate theses in the field, which 400 kilograms of products per day, would prove the fields in this area it can no longer use the designation are different from others in the “traditional product,” according country or in Europe, the grass and to the new laws; instead, it has to the mountain flora here are special obtain that of product of “established long run, believes Bumb. “As long as than in Romania, people know what 296 and 243 protected products, and the products have a high content recipe,” Nicu Bumb explained. Romanian subsidies per land, per a protected designation of origin respectively, while Bulgaria, which of proteins and vitamins. Besides, animal, per litre of milk, are lower means – the fact that products use entered the EU at the same time with the taste is unique because we use What the producers complain about than in the West, you can see the milk from the same area and they Romania, has 3 products of protected brine from the Saltwater Fountain is a problem related to imported differences in the price,” the engineer are certified for their quality – and designation of origin (PDO) and 11 in Orșova, Mureș County,” explained milk and dairy products, which do explains. this makes EU customers trust them of protected geographical indication Nicu Bumb, the chief engineer of the not have the same quality and are The European Unions’ certification more. (PGI). According to the European Mirdatod company, which produces not organic, but they are cheaper, for the Ibănești cheese will mostly be According to information provided legislation, traditional products can the Ibănești cheese. The brine so they become unfair competitors useful for exports, says Nicu Bumb. by the MARD, Italy and France also obtain protection for traditional extracted from the Orșova fountain to Romanian products; this could That is because abroad, even more so take the lead in Europe, with specialty guaranteed (TSG). has a larger quantity of calcium and “destroy” Romanian farmers, in the

42 43 Rural Romania – No. 2 Up-To-Date Leader

egg processing (packaging, foiling, LAG Găvanu Burdea – successful marking and handling) and that of egg distributing on the market. Various equipment has been purchased, partnership between Argeș and Olt such as those that take eggs from the conveyor belt to the sorting machine, a marking system for eggs, It is a public-private partnership, Argeș, and in Olt – localities Corbu, Example projects financed egg crate packaging equipment with built according to Axis 4 LEADER of Sârbii Măgura și Tufeni. under the LAG, still being thermocontractable foil, a semi- the NRDP 2007-2013. implemented: automated packaging machine with Within the strategy of development of stretch foil for pallets, a lift truck for The Găvanu-Burdea territory the LAG territory in the period 2007- Purchase of equipment for S.C. handling egg crates in the warehouse includes 10 territorial-administrative 2013, 40 projects were selected, with Haditon Grup S.R.L., Bîrla and for loading/unloading, a units (nine localities and a town) from a total value of 2,257,214 euro. Out locality, Argeș County refrigerated lorry to transport the the Argeș County and three localities of these, 14 were submitted by local Through the project submitted under products to the customers. from the Olt County: localities Bîrla, public authorities and the remaining Measure 123, within the selection Buzoești, Căldăraru, Hîrsești, Lunca 26 by private investors. call organised by LAG Găvanu- Arrangement of weekly fair Corbului, Miroși, Săpata, Stolnici, Burdea, the beneficiary improves in the locality of Miroși, Argeș Ungheni and the town of Costești – in the effectiveness of his activity of County The project consists of arranging a public space for organising and having a weekly fair in the locality of Miroși, Argeș County. This fair will take place every Wednesday, in the interval 7:00 – 13:00.

Completing the project will facilitate trade in good, safe conditions, both for tradesmen and customers. The space destined to the weekly fair in the locality of Miroși will be connected to water supply, and it will have special designated places for waste storage.

Only two other selection calls are active in the LAG Găvanu- Burdea:

LAG Găvanu-Burdea only has two active selection calls, one for Measure 421 – with an available amount of 7,823 euro and a call for Measure 121 – with an available amount of 175,184 euro, whereas there is another project pending evaluation, for Measure 322, with an eligible value of 28,500 euro.

Besides the amounts for which these calls have been launched, the LAG Găvanu-Burdea Association has no more available amounts under NRDP 2007-2013. More selection calls will be launched only if any beneficiaries will give up the funding agreements they have already concluded.

44 45 Rural Romania – No. 2

LAG Lunca Argeșului – a 96% absorption rate for irredeemable funds

Started at the end of the year 2012, regional and central authorities, for Funding was addressed to those who the Local Action Group (LAG) Lunca the great collaboration and their want to start or develop business in Argeșului was funded under Axis 4 constant support throughout our farming and economy in the rural LEADER of the NRDP 2007-2013, activity.” environment on the territory of the with a budget of 2,550,000 euro for LAG Lunca Argeșului. projects in its action area, most of LAG Lunca Argeșului has promoted this amount being contracted. the opportunities for irredeemable Many projects were submitted, and at funding in all the localities that are the end of August 2014 the LAG had “I am glad and I am proud to say we are part of its territory: 11 localities in been submitted 53 eligible projects, close to contracting the entire amount Argeș County (Mozăceni, Slobozia, 51 of which were already contracted, of the strategy,” Lucian Cioran, the Ștefan cel Mare, Negrași, Teiu, Rociu, with a total value of 2,453,124 euro, president of LAG Lunca Argeșului, Suseni, Recea, Izvoru, Popești, Raca) namely 96% of the 2,550,000 euro declared. “The beneficiaries have and a locality in Teleorman County available. The beneficiaries of the understood the importance of these (Tătărăștii de Sus). projects done through LAG Lunca irredeemable funds and they have Argeșului were both small farmers managed to contract them. Now From the beginning of the LAG in and entrepreneurs and large farmers we are all confidently looking to the April 2013, until August 2014, seven or city halls. period 2014-2020, for which we selection calls were launched (five in have great plans of developing the 2013 and two in 2014), with two other In order to advertise the available territory of the LAG Lunca Argeșului. calls at most until the end of 2014, in irredeemable funds, several actions I am grateful for the effort and results order to allocate the entire amount of promotion and information both to the LAG team and to the that the LAG Lunca Argeșului was dissemination were taken: local representatives and the county, granted. meetings with potential beneficiaries, in order to describe the funding opportunities; information meetings with local leaders so that they could disseminate the information in the territory; meetings with local leaders and the beneficiaries of the projects so that they could disseminate the information in the territory. meetings, locality days and other During these meetings, for a good folk events. The audience of these A few example projects financed under LAG understanding of the process of information activities included Lunca Argeșului: funding by EU money available tradesmen, farmers, local leaders and through the LAG, the measures young entrepreneurs. • Individual holding (I.I.) Rizon will complete the existing one, which provided in the development strategy Claudiu Marius accessed under will lead to an increase in the family were described, explanations Many of the contracted projects Measure 312 a public value of 31,500 holding’s performance. were given as regarded the have already been implemented and euro in a project whose total value necessary conditions for obtaining the beneficiaries have received the was of 58,800 euro. The money was • The representatives of the locality irredeemable funds, by highlighting money for their purchases. Among invested in purchasing a tractor to of Raca accessed under Measure 322 provide farming services in the area. a public value of 58,000 euro and the stages of implementing a the most popular projects are those purchased a bulldozer-excavator, project, such as drafting the funding who aimed to purchase machinery or • Family holding (I.F.) Mareș within a project whose total value application, contracting, acquisition, equipment meant to modernise the beneficiaries’ farms, to diversify the Marilena – accessed a public value was of 74,723 euro. It is necessary to payment requests and reports on the of 105,200 euro under Measure ensure de-icing, the maintenance of payments. range of existing services in the LAG Lunca Argeșului area and to improve 121 in a project with a total value of local roads and emergency situations. the facilities of the local authorities. 326,120 euro, and she purchased The LAG team gave out advertising a tractor, a disc seeder and a corn posters and pamphlets and offered harvesting machine; this equipment information at weekly fairs, local

46 47 Rural Romania – No. 2

News

The fruit distribution programme continues in schools The National NRDN Conference – “Family farm

The programme meant to encourage fresh fruit consumption by distributing them to students continues in the school year – the core of sustainable agriculture” 2014/2015. The total budget allocated to this programme, approved by Government Decision in September, is 64.6 million lei, 31.6 million of which come from the European Union, whereas the remaining 33 million is the co-funding ensured by 8-9 October 2014 the state. Romanian apple producers can participate at the tenders that will be organised by County Councils and by the The year 2014 was declared the International Year of Family Farming, so the National Rural Development Network, together General Council of the Municipality of Bucharest, immediately after the entry into force of the regulatory act. with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organise between 8-9 October 2014 the National Conference with the subject “Family farm – the core of sustainable agriculture.” The event touches on current issues of public interest, both for rural development in general and for the new programming period 2014-2020. The registration deadline for traditional products is The conference will be attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Daniel Constantin, key representatives of FAO and COPA-COGECA, as well as by other important figures from Romania and abroad. extended

This year, the deadline for registering traditional products will be extended by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, until 30 November. The measure comes as a consequence of the request of the National Federation of Traditional Products Producers, which was motivated by the fact that many economic operators have not managed to submit the documentations for the new certificates in time. According to the provisions of the order no. 724/2013 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health and the National Authority for Consumer Protection, the deadline was 11 September 2014. So far, 116 traditional products have been certified, and 123 files have been rejected.

“Corn Day,” celebrated in the county of Ialomiţa

“Corn Day,” whose fifth edition took place on 11 September this year, in the locality of Orezu, Ialomiţa County, brought to the fore modern technologies meant to contribute to increasing productivity in the field. The event was attended by approximately 800 farmers, representatives of the main farmers associations, farming equipment suppliers, local and central authorities. Stands were set up in the vicinity of experimental plots, which had been prepared by companies that produce corn hybrids. Daniel Constantin, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who took part at this holiday, as well, wanted to mention that Romania occupies the first place in the European Union as regards the corn-planted surface andits production, thanks to the large cultivation area, but that he could not say the same thing about productivity per hectare. “I wish Romanian corn were used mostly in zootechnical farms in our country, because this sector has had a great development over the past two years, too. This is why the new National Rural Development Programme includes measures that mostly refer to integrated production,” Daniel Constantin stated.

September – the AGROMALIM month

The largest farming fair in the West of the country was opened on 11 September in Arad, with the largest participation rate of the last 25 years. AGROMALIM (The International Fair for Agriculture and Foodstuff Industry, Equipment for the Food and Packaging Industry), organised by the Arad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had over 250 exhibitors and a record occupied surface: 3,500 sqm inside and 25,000 sqm outside. The fair received the visit of many officialities of the central and local administration, as well as foreign guests. Among the participants there were farming specialists from Romania, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Poland and Serbia. For four days the fair presented farming technologies, machines and equipment, inputs for plant farms, raising systems and fodder for animals, medicine and instruments for veterinary use, equipment for the food industry, agri-food products, packaging, consultancy services, magazines, books and specialty catalogues and purebred animals.

The twin event will take place between 18-21 September, in Iaşi, for the North-East region. Over 100 Romanian and foreign companies are expected to attend the fair. With this occasion, Excellency Awards in Farming will be granted, such as: Farmer of the Year in the North-East Region, Vegetable Farm of the Year, Swine Farm of the Year, Cattle Farm of the Year, Sheep Farm of the Year, Poultry Farm of the Year, Manager of the Year, Local Producer of the Year, Young Farmer of the Year, Employer of the Year or Farming Consultant of the Year.

48 49 Rural Romania – No. 2

PTIR – susținător activ al tinerilor întreprinzători din România

Ne-am constituit în anul 2005 și suntem singura organizație patronală care reprezintă la nivel național și european interesele tinerilor întreprinzători cu vârste cuprinse între 18 și 40 de ani.

Scopul nostru este să asigurăm susținerea, apărararea, promovarea și reprezentarea intereselor profesionale, economice și sociale ale tinerilor întreprinzători din România, stimulând și promovând spiritul antreprenorial în rândul tinerilor precum și asigurând accesul acestora la cunoștințele legate de funcționarea socio-economică a întreprinderilor, F.A.M.D. Federatia Agricultorilor elaborând politici destinate tinerilor în general și tinerilor întreprinzători de Munte “Dorna” în special.

La nivel național suntem VATRA DORNEI membri ai Consiliului Național al Întreprinderilor Private Mici și Mijlocii din România (CNIPMMR), Str. OBORULUI, Nr. 11 iar la nivel european, ai Young 725700 Vatra Dornei, Jud. Suceava Entrepreneurs of the European Union – JEUNE. De asemenea, derulăm activități în căutarea unui loc de muncă, a Tel/Fax 0040/230/375037 care vizează implementarea unor șomerilor, a persoanelor inactive și E-mail: [email protected] În ceea ce privește proiectele soluții integrate de dezvoltare rurală, a persoanelor ocupate în agricultura implementate, cea mai semnificativă promovarea și dezvoltarea culturii de subzistență. Pe termen lung, Web : www.famdorna.ro caracteristică a acestora este antreprenoriale a persoanelor din implementarea programului promovarea educației non-formale mediul rural și creșterea gradului integrat de informare, consiliere și antreprenoriale în rândul tinerilor, de ocupare a populației din mediul formare profesională și înființarea și dar și implicarea în mediul economic rural. „Start pentru Tine!” reprezintă dezvoltarea de microîntreprinderi în național și european. Dintre un proiect de interes pentru această sectoare non-agricole vor conduce Asociaţia F.A.M.D. Vatra Dornei (situată în Carpaţii Orientali ai României) a fost fondată în 23.04.1993 şi înregistrată proiectele relevante în acest sens, direcție, care se implementează în la creșterea calității forței de muncă, oficial pe 9.09.1993, ca o asociaţie a ţăranilor din zona de munte, mai exact din Bazinul Dornelor, cu caracter profesional, amintim următoarele: regiunile de dezvoltare Nord-Est, creșterea veniturilor rurale și crearea educaţional, apolitică, nonguvernamentală, cu personalitate juridică, care respectă legile statului român. - „Simularea managerială, Sud-Vest și Sud-Est, în perioada de noi locuri de muncă, contribuind perspectiva unei cariere de succes” aprilie 2014 – octombrie 2015. astfel la reducerea disparităților F.A.M.D. urmăreşte: - „GROWING-UP” și „GROWING- dintre zona rurală și cea urbană. UP II” (Erasmus for Young Proiectul „Start pentru Tine!” vizează • atenuarea efectelor rezultate din caracterul de zonă defavorizată de factorii naturali şi social - economici; Entrepreneurs) facilitarea integrării pe piața muncii Vă invităm să deveniți membri ai • îmbunătăţirea situaţiei economice a gospodăriilor particulare din zona de munte; - „Non-formal business” (Youth in și creșterea capacității de ocupare Patronatului Tinerilor Întreprinzători • introducerea progresului tehnic în agricultura montană; Action) a populației din zonele rurale prin din România (PTIR), o formă de - „Rețeaua Națională a Ambasadorilor asigurarea accesului la informații, reprezentare, sprijin, educare • dezvoltarea agroturismului; și Mentorilor Antreprenoriatului servicii de consiliere și formare și protecție destinată tinerilor • diversificarea activităţilor; Feminin” profesională și asistență în domeniul întreprinzători. • revitalizarea meşteşugurilor tradiţionale; - „Garanții pentru TINEri!” antreprenorial a persoanelor aflate • atragerea unor investiţii cu participare de capital extern şi autohton în vederea creşterii locurilor de muncă în zonă; • creşterea nivelului de pregătire profesională şi educaţional-comportamentală a membrilor săi. Pentru mai multe informații, ne puteți contacta la: Tel./Fax: 021 310 77 10, E-mail: [email protected], Web: www.ptir.ro

50 51 Rural Romania – No. 2

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• Article length: 400 – 800 words • The letters must be related to a rural development theme and not exceed 200 words. • Correct information: : Present only information that you are 100% • The editors may intervene on the text, in order sure of and that you can support. to adjust it to the necessary style, length, clarity Mention the source of the information and accuracy and does not guarantee that all the when you present data coming from letters will be published. other institutions or organizations. • When space is insufficient, the letters which are • Style: Speaking of a magazine not published in the magazine can be published article, it is desirable for the text not to resemble a report. That is why, the on the website of RNDR. following are indicated: »»Simple expression. »»Relevant data to support the main idea of the article, and not all the details of the project. »»Avoidance of the excess of acronyms. We invite you to send us your »»The full denomination, followed by the acronym, must be inserted experiences, photos, letters and when it appears in the text for the articles at the e-mail address: first time. »»Avoidance of comments and [email protected] external references which may be controversial or misunderstood.

52 Rural Romania – No. 2

Open To The Future

Roots of a European country

CONTACT: National Head Office of the Network Support Unit (NSU) 39-41, Nicolae Filipescu St., 6th floor, 2nd District, Bucharest, postal code 020961 Tel.: 031 690 0214, Facsimile: 031 690 0215 E-mail: [email protected] , Internet: www.rndr.ro

This publication was created by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania, within the project entitled “Establishment and Support of the National Rural Development Network”. Project co-financed by FEADR by Measure 511 within the 2007 – 2013 National Rural Development Programme. September 2014 The content of this material does not necessarily represent the official position of the European Union. It is distributed free of charge.