Sustainable agriculture in remote areas of Romania: Conservation and adding value to fruit varieties

The pilot project aimed at both “in situ” conservation of local fruit varieties and the education and active involvement of local communities, addressing in particular to the rural communities of Malancrav village and Laslea commune. Promoting dialogue on the conservation of domestic fruit varieties and sharing experiences and good practices between Romanian and Swiss experts was the objective of several workshops with experts and stakeholders. Within 81 households in 34 villages from 3 counties (Brasov, Mures, Sibiu) different varieties of fruit trees were identified, specific for the area. 33 locals have strengthened their knowledge about fruit growing by participating at a theoretical and practical fruit growing and grafting workshop, lectured by Romanian and Swiss experts. The created tourist information point, the outplaced information panels and the marked hiking trail provide to the tourists information on traditional fruit varieties and a panoramic tour of the orchard and Mălâncrav village. 300 local residents and visitors participated at the “Apple Day” in Malancrav, which contributed to the awareness of the local community regarding the value of traditional fruit varieties and the importance of their conservation, with the aim for a sustainable agriculture development. A school orchard with 30-fruit trees was set up in partnership with Homorod Secondary School and Homorod Town Hall with the aim to preserve the fruit varieties from the area, to re-introduce fruit growing into optional school curriculum, but also to encourage fruit consumption among young people. 62 students were involved in planting activities and in practical workshops. We have also set up a fruit trees and scions nursery for the conservation of traditional varieties of fruit trees, where constantly will be grafted the planted scions. The aim of the initiative is that, in the future, this nursery will provide the necessary trees for the rejuvenation of Malancrav Orchard, but also to provide the necessary fruit trees for the locals and other interested persons.

Executive AgencyMihai Eminescu Trust FoundationPartnersSAVE Foundation - Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe, SwitzerlandContract NumberPF 13ComponentPartnershipsCountyMureșImplementation areaLocalThematic areaSustainable rural developmentImplementation period01.06.2013 - 31.05.2015Budget of the project (CHF)250,319.48Swiss Contribution (CHF)220,319Project websitelivadamalancrav.roExecutive Agency websitewww.mihaieminescutrust.ro