Description
The project proposes to capitalize the potential of unused lands, damaged or improper for crops, by cultivating resistant energetic plants with economical positive impact, and by reducing the harmful emissions of GES. The project aims to increase the local communities’ awareness on energy independence in agricultural work and household, through the local use of biofuels from energy crops and recovery of remaining biomass as feed meal. It will be developed a demonstration project to produce about 600l biofuel from 4t seeds of Camelina crop on a 2ha land area within a minimum production cycle. The project addresses to 20 farmers of 6 rural communities that will be trained how to produce and consume biofuels, contributing to the communities in which they belong. Through contribution of NGOs with expertise in the field, the project aims by way of advocacy component to achieve a biofuels policy and contribute to the expertise of teachers and students of the USAMV University.
Summary of project results
The Eco-Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Rural Development project's aim was the accumulation of practical knowledge about "Camelina sativa", a crop with energy potential, understanding and promoting its benefits (such as the great resistance of the plant in different environments, improving the characteristics of the growth soil, minimal cultivation costs etc.). The Camelina Experimental Model was conceived rather as a teaching tool at small scale, but it also helps farmers by demonstrating the plant’s benefits as a new bioenergy crop used in both biofuel production and animal feeding. The gained practical knowledge and the results of the experimental model were presented to the targeted groups, such as small farmers, researchers, students and NGOs through trainings, seminars and conferences,. These included information about the incipient phase of choosing the variety, the process of cultivation, growth, harvesting, storing, processing the collected seeds in order to obtain oil, and factors required for estimating production costs and problems encountered. The target groups learned how to take benefits from a degradable soil by cultivating an unpretentious energetic plant such as Camelina, and which are the main advantages of producing low cost oil. The practical demonstration - testing Camelina oil on a modified tractor that works both with vegetable oil or conventional oil - has captured the interest of farmers on cultivating this plant. Is Camelina a beneficial crop to be cultivated by small farmers? The “Camelina” case study points out the opportunities and benefits that lie in the cultivation of this plant, and also presents it as a possible new source of income at local and regional community levels. The project results contributed to supporting the needs and priorities of local farmers: to produce biofuel in rural areas for supplying farm inputs and the energy needs of the population in their households. This project responded to the challenge related to the low level of awareness of citizens on environmental issues. It also strengthened the environmental NGO sector in Romania and had impact on its professionalization and diversification, by supporting the development of a public policy on biofuels in Romania.
Summary of bilateral results