Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies
Volume 1, Issue 2
Food Evaluation Regarding the Safety Market of Dairy Products in Braila County, Romania
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.01
Violeta Gagu (Leoca), Constanta Laura Zugravu, Gheorghe Adrian Zugravu
This assessment focuses on the safety of the dairy products market in Romania, according to data provided by the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC). The review covers a wide range of dairy products, including milk, cheeses, yoghurts and butter, with the aim of identifying potential risks to public health. The study used ANPC data collected from inspections and quality controls. The National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) is focused on a number of specific areas, especially aiming at the continuation and strengthening of the process of European legislative harmonization, cooperation and regulation, information, education and advice of consumers and traders, control and supervision of market, as well as specific activities in the field of precious metals and stones.
Application of Some Physicochemical Properties of Selected Soil Samples from Mesopotamian Agricultural Plain, Iraq, Indicating Soil Erosion and Degradation
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.02
Raghad S. Mouhamad, Khaldoun Ahmad
Twenty-four soil samples of 0-15 cm depth were collected from Mesopotamian agricultural plain, located in Kut-Iraq. Multiple methods determined in this study including partial size distribution size analysis, elemental analysis pH, soil electrical conductivity, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), organic matter, and Urease. High amount of salt causes the soil samples to be basic soil, pH ranges from 7 to 8, and not able to obtain adequate nutrients. All of soil samples have a dispersive property that means the soil are vulnerable to erosion by rainfall or run off. The high value of Soil electrical conductivity (EC) indicates the lack of microorganisms in soil to enhance soil health and indicate the soil damage in the study area. High Ca content in soil samples reduced K/Ca ratios which in terns impact the presence of K on soil samples. Statistical analysis between soil textures and physico-chemical properties indicate low value of erodibility (k) factor due to high concentrations of Ca. Over all, the soil in the Mesopotamian agricultural plain shows damage in the structure due to human activity and lack of vegetation covers.
Comparative Success Rates in Fund Allocation for Social Enterprise Subsidies in Romania: Rural vs Urban Dynamics in 2024
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.03
Simona-Beatrice Manolache, Cristian Marian Radu
The allocation of funds for social enterprise subsidies is a critical mechanism in advancing social entrepreneurship, particularly in countries like Romania, where social enterprises play a significant role in fostering community resilience and economic inclusion. In 2024, Romania continues prioritizing these subsidies, with a growing focus on equitable development across rural and urban regions. However, the dynamics of fund allocation differ considerably between these settings due to varying economic structures, infrastructure, and the capacity of social enterprises to attract and manage funding. This article examines the comparative success rates in fund allocation for social enterprises in rural versus urban areas. The study shows a coordinated effort between EU and national funds to support various development projects in Romania. The analysis highlights the need to address regional and sectoral disparities in fund allocation, better support rural projects, and improve the overall quality of projects to maximize long-term social and economic impact. Investments in the social economy must continue, given their crucial role in reconciling economic, social, and financial dimensions. However, increasing attention to sustainability and equity in resource distribution is essential.
Nematicidal Activity of Some Chemical and Bio – Control Agents Against 2ND Stage Juveniles of Wheat Seed GALL Nematode Anguina tritici
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.04
Sulaiman Naif Ami, Rebar Sulaiman Naif, Shireen Ghaeib Ali AL-Sinjary
This study consisted of two in - vitro bioassay, in the 1st one four medicinal plants were selected to test nematicidal activity of their aqueous extracts (A.E) against 2nd stage juveniles (Js2) of wheat seed gall nematode Anguina tritici included: leaves of Mint, Datura, Eminium (Zilikeraba, Kary) and Pomegranate peels. Results revealed that the highest nematode mortality (92.9%) was recorded in the A.E. of Mint leaves, while the lowest (76.7%) in A.E. of Datura leaves regardless, their mixing ratio with distilled water (D.W.). Nematode mortality significantly increased by increasing mixing ratio. and in general the highest nematode mortality (100 %) was recorded by A.E. of Eminium leaves after a week of immersing J2 in its higher mixing ratio (8ml A.E.: 10 ml D.W.) with no significant difference compared to A.E. of mint leaves at its last two mixing ratio (4 ml A.E.: 10 ml D.W. and 8 ml A.E.:10 ml D.W.), whilst the lowest nematode mortality (66.1%) was recorded by the same plant (Eminium) at its lower mixing ratio (1ml A.E. : 10 ml D.W.). In the 2nd in – vitro bioassay Velum prime as nematicide, Albendazole as anthelmintic drug and BM Root Pan as bio- control agent were selected to test their nematicidal acivity against Js2 of A. tritici. Results showed that the highest nematode mortality (46.5%) was recorded by Velum prime with significant difference compared to the other control agents meanwhile, the lowest mortality (31.25%) was reported by BM-Root-Pan regardless their concentrations. In general the highest nematode mortality (78 %) was found when they were immersed in Velum prime at concentration 5ppm with significant difference compared to the other concentrations for the same nematicide and for the other control agents followed by Albendazole drug (62%.) at concentration 3mg whilst, the lowest nematode mortality was recorded by BM - Root – Pan at concentration 0.1x 10⁶.
Preliminary Study about Comparison of Potato Minitubers Production in Conventional Culture and Modern Culture – Aeroponic
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.05
Andreea Tican, Carmen Chelmea, Mihaela Cioloca, Monica Popa, Maria Ștefan
In 2024, within the Research Laboratory for Plant Tissue Cultures, of the National Institute of Research and Development for Potato and Sugar Beet Brașov, the minituberization process was evaluated for four potato varieties (Azaria, Brașovia, Cosiana and Cezarina) by applying two cultivation methods: aeroponic culture (wihout substrate) and classical culture (with a peat-perlite mixture as the cultivation substrate). The varieties studied behaved differently in minituberization, depending on the culture applied. The average number of minitubers (in the two cultivation methods) was between 16.50 (Azaria variety) and 5.17 (Cosiana variety). The statistical analysis (performed to establish the influence of the type of culture) shows the superiority in minituberization process of taeroponic culture (12 minitubers), compared to the classical culture on peat-perlite substrate (6.94).
Aspects Relating to the Influence of Climate Conditions and Mineral Fertilisation on Maize Yield
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.06
Alin Popa, Adrian Ceclan, Alina Șimon, Marius Bărdaș, Felicia Chețan, Florin Russu
Monitoring climate conditions reveals changes such as the increase in annual average temperatures and the uneven distribution of rainfall. Therefore, focusing on new technological solutions or improvements to existing ones is essential, ultimately resulting in enhanced quantitative and qualitative yields. This study examines the influence of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization applied according to the current water reserves at different soil depths under the climatic conditions at the Agricultural Research and Development Station in Turda during the studied years. In the three experimental years, two doses of N were applied, namely N-100 kg/ha and N-200 kg/ha using the same dose of phosphorus 40 kg/ha, respectively, phosphorus fertilization was applied in the autumn before plowing to be incorporated into the soil, and the nitrogen dose was applied at the same time as sowing. Climate conditions remain an important factor in crop determination, which is apparent from the data presented in Table 1 where 2023 recorded the best conditions for maize crop development compared to the other years studied, with a yield increase of over 1000 kg/ha, with very significant positive differences, compared to the average of the experimental years. In 2022 and 2024, close quantitative yields are recorded, but with negative differences of up to 750 kg/ha compared to the year's average, in 2022.
Research on the Influence of Some Fertilization Variants on Maize Yield
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.07
Ana-Maria Vălean, Adina Tărău, Laura Șopterean, Florin Russu, Alina Șimon, Ioana Crișan, Loredana Suciu
Green manures can improve soil structure through nutrient growth, but also crop production, playing an important role in sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study is to research the effect of different cover crops as green manure on maize yield. The experience was located at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda and included multiple variants of maize fertilization, which was sown on three agro-funds: classic and after the incorporation of crops used as green manures, namely lupine and phacelia. From the results obtained through this study, it can be seen that the highest maize yields (6,045 kg/ha) were obtained when the maize was sown after the incorporation of lupine, in the variant where ammonium nitrate was additionally applied.
Moldova's Economic Shift: Agro-Food Revenues from East to West
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.08
Alexandru Ghencea, Silvius Stanciu
This study examines the agri-food industry in Moldova and stresses the key determinants which have affected its transformation. Moldova has an extensive experience in agri-food-related activities spanning several centuries. Such circumstances came in the 1990s when the country started developing an environment characterized with competition as new businesses came into the scene providing customers with options which had not been available before. However, in the early stages of this period, the market was still concentrated in some sectors or dominated by few players which limited the scope for effective competition. Competition is especially significant in the long-run as concerns economic development and growth as it includes the number of market participants, the range of goods and services available for consumers, the diversity of products, regulators’ interventions, and control exercised by consumers and suppliers’ interrelationships. As of 2023, the overall figure of the trade entities has reached 63,778. Following the outbreak of armed conflict near Moldova’s borders (Ukraine) in 2022, some economic operators leveraged existing stockpiles to achieve revenues of up to $5,488.28 million, amidst market uncertainty and an absence of regulatory policies for such scenarios. When analyzing revenue trends over time for exports and imports, the European Union consistently holds a leading position compared to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The study utilized data from national statistics, scientific articles, and specialized press reports.
Covid-19: Emerging Opportunities and Positive Fallouts in the Postharvest Milieu in Nigeria
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.09
Adetayo Jacob Adegbola, Olaoluwa Babatunde Ogunremi, Rukayat Queen Adegbola, Oluwasanjo Biodun Owojaiye, Lateef Oladimeji Sanni
It is increasingly becoming an acceptable line of thought in the academia that outside the factual daunting challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures which in most instances include restrictions in many countries there are no positive fallouts as well as lesser studied opportunities. 96,000 respondents comprising farmers, marketers, processors, consumers and transporters in the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria were subjects for this survey whose broad goal is to look into effects of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The study revealed that in some ways postharvest actors were able to make good the pandemic and its containment measures. Inter alia, family labour became abundant leading to considerable reduction in the cost for labour for some postharvest activities. Sourcing for inputs from immediate and neighboring communities by producers and selling directly in these communities improved their financial and economic health; neighborhood corner shops and businesses that deal in food commodities thrived. Increased family intimacy is a key social benefit which came with the restrictions. Coping approaches adopted during this time include the following amongst others: consumption of more staples, reduced protein consumption, skipping and rationing of meals and increased use of leftovers. It was concluded that understanding the shifts in food preferences and consumption patterns, embracing technology-intensive mechanisms for increased efficiency, developing alternate marketing and sales channels and facilitating alternative workforce for the agro-food supply chain are ways the sector can maximize these opportunities post pandemic.
The Goat Farming Sector: Niche Opportunities for Romanian Farmers in Europe
https://doi.org/10.35219/jards.2024.2.10
Petre Adrian Liptac, Mihaela Pila, Silvius Stanciu
The paper proposes an analysis of the goat farming sector in Romania within the broader European context. The research is based on open access articles and data from Eurostat, the National Institute of Statistics, the International Goat Association, and Worldostats. The study highlights a positive evolution in Romania's goat farming sector, driven by European support measures and increasing international demand for goat meat. Despite this growth, domestic consumption remains low compared to other European countries, primarily limited to festive occasions. Structural challenges, including the lack of slaughtering and processing facilities, encourage live animal exports, which generate limited added value. Coupled payment support plays a vital role in sustaining goat farming activities, particularly for large farms, while its absence significantly increases the risk of small farm abandonment, threatening the sector's diversity and its contribution to the rural economy. To enhance domestic consumption and sector development, the study recommends targeted promotional campaigns on the nutritional benefits of goat products, infrastructure investments, and improved market organization. These measures aim to align Romania's goat farming sector with European best practices and unlock its full economic potential.