VIEWPOINTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICAL FARMING IN

ROMANIA
erban ZODIAN
PhDs, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Faculty of Agri-food and Environmental Economics,
Bucharest, Romania, serban.zodian@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Through this work, we draw attention to the current problems of ecological agriculture in Romania. Some new
openings and progress were noted, but also serious shortages compared with the average EU level.
KEYWORDS
ecological farming, organic farming, biodiversity strategy, agrobioeconomy
1. INTRODUCTION
Theorists approach ecological farming as both a vision and practice of agriculture, which mainly consists in the use of
recyclable resources and natural processes. To create an agro-system that does not resort to polluting chemicals (fertilizers and
pesticides minerals), coming into conflict with the certification standards specific to the manufacturing cycle of ecological agrifood.
The concept of ecological agriculture was launched by Rudolf Steiner in 1913 (the man must live in harmony with his
environment). In the 1970s, he established the International Federation of Ecological Agriculture. In 1991, The Council of
Europe has introduced Regulation 2078 agricultural methods compatible with the environment.
Here we refer to a model of sustainable agriculture, the ecological farming term including, although it is not limited to,
both biological and organic agriculture.

2. ECOLOGICAL FARMING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

In the West, ecological production is an overall system of farm management and food production, the
provision of the best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, preservation of natural resources and
production methods that meet consumer preferences. In 2012, 9.6 million hectares were grown ecologically, 5.4
per cent of the cultivatable land in the EU.
In 2014, the European Commission prepared a plan for ecological production, controls and trade for the next
decade. (Gazeta de Agricultur, 2014)
"The framework program for research and innovation in the EU -Horizon 2020- can generate solutions and
tools for a greater improvement of the performance and of the assimilation of research results. Horizon 2020
includes various mechanisms for promoting research and innovation, demonstration, coordination, networking and
training, and for supporting infrastructure and innovation, for example in SMEs. The ecological agriculture sector
contribution to European innovation partnership on the productivity and sustainability of agriculture (PEI) will be
essential to stimulate innovation and to improve cooperation between the world of science, that of agriculture, the
agricultural advisers and that of industry, both at regional and national level and at European level. To cope with
future challenges, it is necessary to have a stronger involvement of farmers in the identification of needs for
research and innovation (action 6). In PEI multiple formats can be used for exploring specific issues which are
relevant to ecological farming, which would foster the active involvement of farmers. When setting priorities in
terms of innovation in the context of rural development programs, Member States should consider, inter alia, the
possibility of derogations. When these priorities are established, Member States may increase the degree of
awareness among farmers and researchers and facilitate the establishment of operational groups devoted to these
themes. In the period 2000 to 2012, 49 research projects financed by the EU on agriculture with low factors of
production and the ecological farming have strengthened capacity for research and innovation of ecological sector.
"(Gazeta de Agricultur, 2014)
The Commission is concerned with reducing bureaucracy and procedures for the certification of ecological
products. The Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) practice includes hearings in this respect and to cooperate with
national accrediting and monitoring authorities. At a broader level, the Codex Alimentarius set within the FAO
and NHO the reference standards in international trade of goods, including food and agriculture. On this
background, the EU has its own ecological logo.
The EU is producing and marketing ecological commodities, which are ecologically pure and
biological. Romanian standards for the certification of ecological products are those set by the EU National
Certification by the Ministry of agriculture and rural development. The certification includes production,
transmission and distribution.
The main markets for agri-food products are: USA (6.6 billion dollars), United Kingdom ( 2 billion), Japan
($ 3 billion), etc. In Austria, 10% of farms are environmentally friendly. Germany has 15.740 ecological farms,

while the United Kingdom uses for this purpose 472.500 ha. (Duca, 2014) The ecological farming sector in EU
increase by 500,000 hectares per year and consists of 186,000 farms. (European Commission, 2015)
In addition, the European Commission presented on 14 March 2014 a proposal for a new regulation, with a
specific plan of action. The Assembly of Rural EU Networks was held in January 2015, its first meeting (with the
participation of governmental and non-governmental).
3. ECOLOGICAL FARMING in ROMANIA
The academician Alexander T. Bogdan believes that "Romania must become a green power". (Bogdan,
2011) "Romania has, indeed, this opportunity, and its potential is confirmed by extremely serious
studies. However, this potential will only remain at the level of studies, if it is not realized, if we don't understand
that we must prepare for an economy of the future. It is inadmissible that Romania currently imports over 70% of
the food, it is inadmissible that millions of hectares of land are left uncultivated or that we are only known as the
former granary of Europe. Romania has potential and should become a green food power for many centuries to
come. For this purpose we will need to use both the human and intellectual potential we have and obviously at the
political decision-making level the authorities, who have a duty to support a new development direction. The exit
from the crisis should mark the transition to a new social market economy, a sustainable economy more ecological
and more intelligent, in which our prosperity is brought by innovation, by a good use of resources, and in which
knowledge represents a key factor. These are, moreover, the principles underlying the EU 2020 Strategy, through
which the European Union aims to accelerate progress towards a knowledge-based economy, but also an
environmentally friendly economy." (Bogdan, 2011)
Since 2000, the Government has promoted no. 34 EGG referring to ecological production in Romania. Thus,
ecological production was defined as the production of agri-food goods without the use of chemical fertilizers,
pesticides for combating pests (insecticides, acaricides, and disinfectants) and food additives for animals, bio
stimulators drugs, and genetically modified organisms. The target of this strategy was the achievement of an
industrial agriculture, diversified and balanced. Therefore, the strategy included the following fundamental
principles: the elimination of polluting technologies; fostering highly resistant and adaptable breeds; the natural
fertility of the soil improvement; the use of traditional energy resources and use of unconventional energy. In
addition, the national authority of ecological products (NAEP) was established as the authority in the field of
ecological production
In 2003, 117 ecological producers were already registered, who 57,000 hectares were cultivated, and 90% of
production was exported to Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, etc.
In 2003, measures where applied concerning technical regulations for ecological production and labelling of
ecological agri-food products. The Government has boosted efforts to promote the production and marketing of
ecological products. (MARD)
Also, the Institute of Bio food resources issue certificates of ecological conformity. Also, BIOS offered
ecological certification among a few other institutions in the field.
The Ministry of agriculture and rural development (MARD claims that ecological production benefits, among
others, grow 200 million euros in grants, funds set aside by means of a measure of the new national program for
rural development (2014-2020). (tiri agricole, 2015)
The payment and Intervention Agency for agriculture (PIAA) will make payments to registered farmers in
ecological farming system for: vegetables, orchards, vineyards, herbs etc. PIAA and de minimis aid shall be paid
for the ecological agriculture in the case of holdings of up to 5 hectares.
Organic farming should develop, in a rate of 20% per year, in accordance with the provisions of the national
export strategy. Moreover, the number of high-profile players has tripled in 2011 compared to 2010 and in 2012
26.736 of operators already existed. In 2007, the area under cultivation in organic farming was of 131.488 ha
(46.865 ha in area, the 84.585 eco-certified). In 2012, has reached 450,000 ha cultivated in organic farming-and
from the spontaneous flora were collected on 520.000 ha flowers (more than in 2007). (Socio-economic Analysis
in the perspective of rural development 2014-2020, 2013)
Organic farmers must meet several conditions: the fertilization to be made with organic fertilizers (mineral
ones are additional); It is prohibited to use urea; botanical pesticides should be used only as a last resort; synthetic
pesticides shall be prohibited. Also, through the certification of organic products annual inspection and appropriate
laboratory tests are imposed. RENAR ensures ecological inspection and certification, and accreditation done by
ANPE.
Interesting is the fact that Romania has come in a relatively short period of time among the first 20 ecological
exporters worldwide. To export grains, mushrooms, berries, nuts (75 million euro in 2006), etc. (tiri agricole,
2015)
Very important for Romania would also be agrobioeconomy development. Thus, it can capitalize on nonfood bio resources (wheat straw, corn filo plumes) through the production of bioethanol, thus bringing added value
to field crops. Also, milling and bread-making quality co-products can be used in the production of supplements
and food additives.

Last but not least, remember that Romania stands out in the EU through a poor and very poor profitability in
the vegetal area (fruits, herbs). This situation might improve with the help of bio stimulant for plants in value
chains, which can mean an increases in plant production. Bio stimulants act on the physiology of plants and
enhance the effectiveness of the use of nutrients and water, in addition conferring a greater resistance to biotic and
abiotic stresses. These stimulants are obtained in agricultural processes, through biomass production. (Oancea,
2015)
Ecological farming is still underdeveloped in Romania. Eco-consumption in the country is three times less
than the EU average. For making bio cheese, for example, cow food must rely on untreated soils derived from
plant chemicals. In Romania there would be up to 3-4 million chemical-fertilizers free pasture. Other farmers have
learned from Italy how to cultivate plants with manure, plant debris and water. (Asociaia Angel, 2009)
Slowly biodynamic agriculture develops too. For the cultivation of Red fermented manure is used, provided
by mini cows farms. In opa, near = Sighioara, such a school farm was founded as early as 2007-2008, owned
by engineer w. Rodatz. Here are "environmentally friendly technologies". (Asociaia Angel, 2009)
4. DIRECTIONS AND WAYS TO BOOST ECOLOGICAL FARMING IN ROMANIA
The development of ecological farming (in Romania) faces both simulative and inhibitory factors. Favoring
factors, such as: soil quality; climatological state; significant quantity of labor; relatively small quantities of
chemical fertilizers used in agriculture (30 kg per ha to 100-150 kg within the EU) etc. Among the inhibitory
factors, we find: the absence of material and financial resources; reduced access to modern means of
communication; mediocre quality of scientific research; specialists lack of motivation, the high costs of upgrading
technology etc.
"Ecological farming-although it is a niche agricultural area - could bring significant added value in
agricultural economy. More attention should be given to maintaining and improving soil quality in order to
maintain, at least, a reasonable condition of fertility of the soil. "(Borza, 2008)
As I mentioned earlier, the European Commission ruled in March 2014 a proposed a new regulation on
ecological production. This market niche, though, grew 4 times in the EU over the past 10 years. Among other
things, it will facilitate the access of small farmers to ecological farming through certification groups.
Legislation will also be simplified, for the purposes of reducing the cost and operational improvements in
transparency and accountability. An action plan was also adopted, regarding the future of ecological production in
Europe. In total by 2014 through the MARD, Romania has absorbed 22, 7 million euro. In Romania, ecological
farming operators should exceed the current figures.
On the other hand, not enough attention is granted to ecological farming and agricultural schools. (Rey,
2014) Worthy to be taken into account is the "unfair" concurrency of ecological agriculture based farming by the
genetic modified farming.
5. CONCLUSIONS AND PROPOSALS
Shaota A., consultant for European Organic Monitor appreciate that "the most important problem of the
Romanian market for ecological products is that there are very few processors. Commencement of production
requires a period of 2 years after conversion. The work includes inspections of MARD. Even if the harvest is 2050% lower than in the case of traditional agriculture, export price is 2.3 times higher. Also, the range of products
is relatively low. "(Shaota, 2008)
For this purpose the following aspects would be necessary: priority development of the National Plan of
action for the development of ecological farming in Romania and the alignment to the new EU requirements; the
creation of new storage facilities for ecological products and the development of short chains of commerce targeted
to consumers of food and foodstuffs; development of technological and financial file for eco-friendly oil
(sunflower), wheat, and corn or ecological animal products, vegetables, wine etc.; measures to encourage the
cultivation of the land by allocating up to 45 euros per hectare for farmers with up to 30 ha and supporting young
farmers through an additional payment of EUR 23 per ha for holdings not exceeding 60 ha; encouraging
agribusiness to farms that have exceeded the level of subsistence, he takes into account issues of fertilizers,
herbicides, fertilizers, diesel fuel's consumption equipment, productivity per employee, with the cost storing,
accessing funding, recovery of production, etc. (Finanri Agricole, 2015)
The EU encourages new approaches including the development of agricultural cooperatives. (Popescu, 2014,
p. 17) Thus, cooperatives could negotiate: from a stronger position, with suppliers and dealers in anticipation of
price fixing; benefit from an increase in the supply rhythm; gain possibilities for use of their own products in agrifood market, etc. (Popescu, 2014, p.205)
On the other hand, not all organic products (e.g. organic milk, organic cereal or pork) are less polluting than
industrial products and foodstuffs, which actually generate higher emissions of CO2: "many people believe that
organic farming has by definition a lower environmental impact than conventional farming, but the literature tells
us that this is not the case." (Tuomisto et al, 2012)

In conclusion, considering the benefits of ecological system for economy, environment and humans, we still
should not ignore in our approaches the danger posed by the confusion of the products of eco-farming, which are
quite similar with traditional agri-food products, with the production process, which is already on a higher
evolution level than the industrialized agriculture and our agri-food system is not yet there, therefore this
transition, towards the ecological farming system, is quite difficult and often barely feasible in Romania. It would
be desirable first to switch to the more industrialized farming system found in EU. (Popescu, 2013, p.154)
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
6.1 Books
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