OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ROMANIAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

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1 FACULTATEA DE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ROMANIAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION COFAS ELENA 1 1 University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania Abstract: According to the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, whose foundations were laid in Gothenburg 2001, sustainability requires simultaneous and impartial consideration of economic, social and environmental consequences of any decision taken, so at this point, stating that the EU to become the world whose economy is highly efficient use of resources with a high quality of life of its citizens and where socio-economic development of environmentally. As a result, international organizations, European and national support implementation of projects and strategies to change unsustainable consumption patterns. In this sense, sustainable solutions and increased use of renewable energy resources, practice on a larger scale organic farming and intelligent management of urban waste are major objectives of not only environmental policies, but also the quality of life. Key words: sustainability, sustainable development, agriculture, manufacturing INTRODUCTION In recent decades, agriculture has experienced dramatic quantitative increase directly proportional to the degree of mechanization, chemicalization and irrigation of crops. Technological advances along with the genetic practice led to intensive agriculture, with agricultural technologies have increased land productivity. As expected, some adverse side of the progress has slowly appears. Negative signs first emerged through the use of chemical fertilizers to increase production with concomitant administration of giving manure and other organic fertilizers. As a result, the soil began to lose its ability to maintain yields at the same level were applied technologies have taken into account the sustainability of agricultural production. Currently, farmers are faced with a complex dilemma, specifically to meet the demand for food and energy, while preserving vital natural resources, so essential to their success. MATERIALS AND METHODS Agricultural holdings are used various production factors in order to obtain profitable agricultural production. For the same purpose it is necessary implementation measures of technical, organizational and economic. All these elements (factors, products, technology components, of agricultural policies etc.) interact each other and they can be assembled into a unitary concept, so inputs to be allocated and optimally combined and products to obtain convenient in terms of economic efficiency. Agricultural production system components are chosen and works closely with the costs and the effects it generates, aiming at providing a favorable impact on the effectiveness of each production system practiced. This system, based on substantial investments, reflected in production costs per hectare (large amounts are allocated for use chemicals for fertilization and pest and disease control etc.) is opposed, in some degree, and in practice, system that uses a organic agriculture. 144

2 LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XV (1) Technological subsystem optimization crop Subsystem soil organic fertilization Sustainable agricultural production system Irrigation subsystem hub of sustainability Subsystem works for sustainable soil Ecological subsystem maintenance works cultures Subsystem works and transport harvested organic agricultural products Figure 1 Model of sustainable agricultural production system A production system that results in organic products is characterized by limitation or waiver of the use of chemicals, nutrients being provided by conventional means [3]. Thus, in order to protect the environment, we must adopt the practice of sustainable agriculture, which involves a system of technologies and agricultural practices designed not only to ensure satisfactory production, but also to achieve environmental objectives. RESEARCH RESULTS Developing a sustainable agriculture is a long process, and not least, very difficult because there are many contradictions. There are many barriers to adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and specific technologies. One of the major barriers is that existing policies and programs sometimes contain conflicting objectives. Information flows between consumer preferences and production are often masked and therefore farmers respond to price signals not fully reflect social costs of using natural resources base. The result was the emergence - both in Romania and in many other countries - the agricultural community which lacks the flexibility needed to respond positively different agricultural technologies. The main objectives to be met by sustainable agriculture are: food security (human needs for food and fiber); conservation of environment and natural resources on which agriculture depends; more efficient use of renewable resources and neregenarabile; support the viability of farming and quality of life of farmers and members of society as a whole. It is vital that the transition to sustainable agriculture to consider the need to maintain a competitive agricultural sector and economically efficient, responsive to fluctuating consumer preferences and to facilitate the development of trade in agricultural products, preserving at the same time, natural environment and resource base in the future. According to experts assessing the European Union, and experience in this area of the countries that joined before us, for Romania will be necessary years for the organization and practice of an extended system of organic farming on about 25% of the agricultural area, especially for training of farmers and farm equipment with appropriate 145

3 FACULTATEA DE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL material and technical base and for structuring and development of the internal market food and agriculture, increase the competitiveness of Romania in the EU market and significant prerequisites for the development of high efficiency and revival of agriculture activities socioeconomic rural sector. Starting from these assumptions can specify minimum requirements for achieving sustainable development [2]: resizing growth, assuming a more efficient use and equitable sharing of resources in order to obtain quality products with minimum waste and toxic; enhance people's lives in terms satisfy basic needs and reducing uncontrolled population growth; conservation of environment and natural resources; stronger participation of government bodies in making decisions about the economy and the environment. In addition to the above issues, sustainable agriculture must include both ecological dimension, related to environmental protection, and human dimension, directly or ndirectly related to agriculture. The human dimension has two key components: 1. Farmers: they already apply advanced technologies for sustainable agriculture and sustainable agriculture will practice only if it can be done without substantial material losses and have access to information and technology for this type of agriculture. 2. Consumers: there is demand for organic food products, healthy, quality, they should be informed of the total social costs of agricultural products obtained with intensive agriculture in the absence of accurate market value would be visible hidden environmental costs. On the human dimension (at encouraging farmers and consumers), special attention should be paid to marketing systems, which have a strong influence in encouraging or discouraging the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices [1]. Overall, in order to practice sustainable agriculture must identify: potential practices and technologies - both known and novel provide agricultural products without degrading the environment and without reducing long-term economic viability or compromising future generations' interests (conservation of soil, water, biodiversity by reducing chemicals used in agriculture); technical options and research priorities to support a transition to more sustainable forms of agriculture development; economic instruments, institutional and cultural development and adoption of technologies and practices of sustainable agriculture. However, it is clear that sustainable agriculture can not be "pure green" because we must make full use of, but judiciously, achievements of chemistry and biology to raise crop yields. Rational use of fertilizers and other chemicals is bound to remember one of the main objectives of sustainable agriculture is to ensure food security and these chemicals contribute to increased yield by about 40% compared with other technological methods, and this can not be neglected insurance policy food for its population [4]. At the same time, an equally important goal of sustainable agriculture and environmental protection and is therefore an ecosystem agriculture must become less polluting and energy intensive. This can be achieved by designing a type of technical progress to eliminate shortcomings industrial-type agriculture and to put the focus enhancing biological factor, using bioengineering and biotechnology in plant and animal growth. On a practical level, based on studies conducted by researchers in the field of pedology, 146

4 LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XV (1) environmental agrochimiei and were able to determine the main factors affecting soil quality [5]: action frequent droughts; excess moisture; water erosion; parceling; wind erosion; surface soil skeleton; salty soils; soil compaction due to improper cultivation; natural compact the soil; crusting; the existence of small and very small deposits of humus; high and moderate acidity; high alkalinity; poor and very poor content in mobile phosphorus; low in nitrogen content; deficiency of micronutrients (zinc); chemical pollution; oil pollution and salt water; pollution by drift. Table 1 Vulnerability to soil erosion of agricultural land Land type Areas with higher slope Average slope % of total area 5%, hectares (%) Infield Arable land Pastures and hayfields Orchards Forests Vines Source: National Research and Development Institute for Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Environment Protection - ICPA Bucharest The main agricultural activities have a major impact on soil erosion [4] are: plowing with heavy machines and at the same depth for several consecutive years, leading to the creation of a compact layer of soil that prevents normal movement of water in soil and root growth; plowing on slopes, an effect that is enhanced by rain; practical soil layer is deposited look at the bottom of the hill and cover soil layer above or is taken away in river valleys or deposited as alluvial soil; plowing with heavy plows for planting vineyards that can reverse soil profile. top layer is lowered by one meter while the lower layer or rock moves toward the surface, thus being strongly eroded soil or removed; extraction of organic materials by harvesting and removing all straw or other residues from field action that leads to a discrepancy humus content in soil chemical ingrăşământele have natural regenerative capacity of the soil; practice improper soil; 147

5 FACULTATEA DE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL irrational deforestation for arable land and grassland slopes, leading to erosion caused by torrential exaggerated; overgrazing of land sloping ground; grazing forests disturbs their natural regeneration. The intensity of soil erosion in agricultural land Table 2 Type erosion Soil loss, tons a hectare / year 148 Average loss of soil tonnes per hectare / year Affected areas % of total agricultural Slight erosion < 1 0,5 57,4 Low erosion Moderate erosion Strong erosion Excessive erosion ,5 2,6 Source: National Research and Development Institute for Soil Science, Agrochemistry and Environment Protection - ICPA Bucharest Another factor in agriculture that pollutes the environment and affects the health of humans and animals is irrational use of pesticides. For fertilization, not only manure and/or fertilizers application must match the requirements of the plants, but the very number of animals in livestock farmer should be carefully calculated in advance to ensure that manure products shall not exceed the amount that farmer will be able to store and dispose of in an environmentally acceptable at the right time in the next year (given the level of soil nitrogen and phosphorus). Environmental interactions are too complex for farmers to grow grains and vegetables, but no livestock. [3] Those farmers who do not have manure and chemical fertilizer use will reduce effectively to monitor nutritional needs of the plant and the duration and amount of applications should be adjusted taking into account other factors such as temperature, composition soil and potential pests and diseases. When irrigation is necessary, a significant reduction of environmental effects can be achieved by using systems that provide precise amount of water needed and appropriate drainage to avoid erosion or soil salinity. CONCLUSIONS It is important to note that agricultural production has become more efficient in recent years, suggesting an evolution satisfied the growing need for food while reducing environmental impact. At the end of his study can be drawn several important directions that may help the sustainable development of Romanian agriculture: Respect for the environment. Farm organization and production in harmony with nature, without poisoning to various chemicals, misused or abused, or poor management of animal manure. Maximizing profitability at farm level in terms of optimum use of available resources (financial, material and human) carefully. Conservation and management of ground water. Most of the time farmers work under very low soil moisture so that agricultural technology preserves and protects soil water evaporation brings both increased production and significant savings for both farm and community people nearby.

6 LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XV (1) Strengthening agricultural land and their work effectively are elements that lead to substantial savings both fuel and time. Application of appropriate technologies tillage and registration of an increase in land improvement works. Better planning so that activities can not be managed in crisis (lack of funding, lack of appropriate technologies, lack of logistics and many other critical situations). Improving park equipment at the farm mechanization brings not only a more efficient use them, but also reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. Improving nutrition in farm animals (both qualitatively as well as technology) can lead to an increase both qualitatively and quantitatively especially in a released animal harm reduction. REFERENCES 1.BĂLĂCEANU CRISTINA, 2013, Logical Premises of the Mechanism between Sustainable Development and Human Development, Metalurgia International, www. metalurgia.ro, ISSN: , Vol. XVIII, Nr. 1, 2013, pag , Thomson Scientific Master Journal List, 2.BĂLĂCEANU CRISTINA, DIANA APOSTOL, 2012, The sustainability approach of Romanian Agriculture, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Volume 2, Special Issue 1/ 2012/, pp , UlrichWeb (Global Serial Directory), Research Gate, Google Scholar, Academic Resources (ourglocal.com) 3.RUSU T., ALBERT I., BODIS A., 2007, Ecotehnica culturilor de câmp. Editura Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca 4. TONCEA I., 2002, Ghid practic de agricultură ecologică. Editura Academic Press, Cluj-Napoca. 5*** 149