Description
Adresses key problems of local communities by building capacity of local farmers, and improving sustainability of small-scale farming communities. Project objective - Environmental friendly and profitable farmer’s production in 5 local communities by combining traditional land management and ecosystem services. Problems can be overcome by introducing innovative solutions in land management and in marketing, to make balanced agricultural activities practical, sustainable and profitable. The key element of this project is developing innovative solutions at micro-scale, and then using these for demonstration and training to spread the replication of the solutions, by adoption by farmers. Project outputs - a. more viable grassland management using innovative machinery. b. make life at sheepfolds more acceptable with modern facilities. c.mapping and maintenance of traditional fruit trees in the grasslands, d. improve economic viability of the wider project area. Demonstration micro-processing equipment Beneficiaries: local small-scale farming communities, and wider society environmentally.
Summary of project results
The key problem was the environmental pressure from changed land use. Also, the increase in sheep numbers and changes to sheep management have led to soil degradation and loss of carbon storage by the grass. Reduction of the number of young farmers is creating further pressures on economic viability of Romania’s farmer areas. These problems were addressed by innovative solutions contributing to more practical, sustainable, profitable and balanced agricultural activities. Outputs delivered: - sustainable grassland management (increased CO2 capture) - purchase and demonstration of innovative mowing equipment; - innovative sustainable sheepfolds by using renewable energy; - mapping and maintenance of traditional fruit trees in the grasslands, which offer additional income to local farmers and has an important ecological role; - micro-enterprise training (micro-producers were trained by demonstrating food processing, packaging and marketing); - developed methodologies for more effective sustainable land management planning at farm level, so that farmers can match management practices to payment agency inspections; - brochures and training to enable farmers to replicate the ideas that were demonstrated.
Summary of bilateral results
There was a continuous communication between the RO Project Promoter (Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania) and the NO Project Partner (The Royal Norwegian Society for Development) who provided constant feedback and suggestions on how to improve the Promoter's methodology. Support and know-how transfer with regard to rural development was the central element of the partnership. Excellent collaboration between the project team members generated a better implementation of the activities and therefore a real benefit for the stakeholders. The fact that the Project Partner was willing to share their previous experience and was opened to dialogue, helped the Project Promoter to implement the proposed activities and to adjust its methodology in order to obtain the planned results.