STUDY ON THE RECENT TRENDS IN ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE FROM ROMANIA

References: 14th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2014, www.sgem.org, SGEM2014 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7105-19-3 / ISSN 1314-2704, June 19-25, 2014, Book 5, Vol. 3, 393-398 pp

ABSTRACT
Ecological farming system is a dynamic sector and with great future in Romania which has seen an upward trend in recent years, both in the plant cultivation and in the livestock sector. The purpose of this study was to analyze the recent trends of ecological agriculture in Romania, with special reference to the area of ecological agricultural land, the number of organic producers, the use of ecological agricultural land and the organic livestock. To achieve these objectives we have studied the official statistical data provided by different institutions (Eurostat, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), we processed them and we interpreted data obtained. The results of study showed that the total area of organic agricultural land in Romania in 2012 it was 288,261 ha being with about 3 times higher as compared with the existing area in 2006, representing 2.1% of the total agricultural land. As regards the use of organic agricultural land, it was found that in 2012 the largest part of them, namely 60,6% were occupied with arable land, 36.7% with pastures and meadows and 2.7% with permanent crops (vineyards and orchards). Also this study shows that in 2012 there were 15,544 organic producers and the average size of organic agricultural holdings was 20 ha. The production of organic crops and the rearing of organic animals are the main activities in the organic sector at farm level. The livestock sector in 2012 (under conversion and fully converted to ecological farming) recorded an increasing of number of animals reared through the organic production methods. In conclusion, this study shows that ecological agriculture in our country continues to grow and domestic ecological market is expanding concomitant with the diversification of products offered on the market.

Keywords: ecological farming, agricultural land, livestock, producers