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In the context of rising concerns about sustainability and environmental impact, this article focuses on analyzing two remarkable agricultural systems in the South-West Oltenia Development Region: the conventional and the ecological, and emphasizes one of the foundational crops for the region, wheat. The research was derived from a comprehensive questionnaire applied on 18 farms in the South-West Oltenia region: half of them employing ecological practices and the other half using conventional methods. Our primary focus was to determine the most economically viable agricultural system for the area. Through this analysis, the article not only illustrates the evolution of this crop's production from 2020 to 2022, but also provides insights into production costs and their valorization in the market. Moreover, it underscores the importance and advantages of each agricultural system, highlighting potential long-term benefits from both economic and sustainable perspectives. To provide a solid and well-grounded analysis, statistical methods were employed, combined with data obtained fromthe questionnaire administered directly at the farm level in the region. This methodology offers a clear perspective on the profitability and efficiency of the two agricultural systems in the specific context of South-West Oltenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the use of pesticides in Romania in the period 2007-2020, based on the official statistical data by type of pesticide, at the national and territorial level, and using fixed and structural indices, concentration indices and time and spatial comparisons. In the year 2020, pesticides were applied on larger surfaces than in 2007 and they accounted for 3.88 million ha for herbicides, 2.39 million ha for fungicides, and 2.34 million ha for insecticides. But, the total consumption decreased by 26% for insecticides and by 23% for herbicides, but it increased by 8.2% in case of fungicides. The national mean consumption of pesticides per ha declined and in 2020 accounted for 0.27 kg a.s. insecticide, 0.75 kg herbicide and 0.76 kg fungicide. Romania comes on the last position in the EU for the smallest average consumption 0.8 kg a.s. pesticide per ha and also for the risk indicator 1 equal to 48. The largest areas where pesticides are applied in the territory are in South Muntenia, West, South East and South West Oltenia micro-regions. Total consumption differs from a region to another as follows: insecticides are much more consumed in South West Oltenia, South Muntenia, North East, South East and West, fungicides are especially applied in South East, North East, Center and West, and herbicides are predominantly utilized in North East, South East, North West, South West Oltenia, and West. The average consumption per ha, over the national mean, is higher in the following regions: insecticides in North West, South West Oltenia, Center and North West, fungicides in the Center, Bucharest-Ilfov, South East and North East and herbicides in North East, North West and Center regions. The values of the concentration indices Herfindahl-Hirschman, Gini-Struck and Concentration coefficient proved that in 2020, Romania was characterized by a relative moderate concentration of the use of pesticides. As a conclusion, pesticides have to be used taking into consideration the local conditions at the regional level and at farm level. Farmers have to evaluate the problems and make the best decision regarding what type of pesticide to use, on what surface, which is the suitable dose per ha, how many treatments are required etc. The EU regulations regarding pesticides imposes a strict control and use of the approved pesticides for compiling with the European the Green Deal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed labor productivity in Romania's agriculture in the period 2011-2020 and established the forecast for 2021-2025 horizon using the Eurostat data. The processing procedures included fixed basis index, average growth rate, average annual growth, regression models, determination coefficient, descriptive statistics (mean standard deviation and variation coefficient), comparison methods and forecast modeling. The results proved that agriculture productivity is increasing with a lower growth rate, being deeply influenced on output value, gross value added and labour input. Per 1,000 AWU, agricultural output value decreased by 6.77%, gross value added increased by 12.47% and factor income raised by 20.65%. However, for its level of output value and GVA, Romania comes on the last position and for factor income level it comes on the 15th position in the EU. For agriculture development, labour productivity must be increased paying attention to the key determinants: farm structure and size, labour input, technical endowment, and investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2007, the moment of Romania's integration into the European Union, was the beginning of a new era of the agriculture economy of our country. In this framework, the Romanian agriculture must quickly conform and to adopt to the European Union's agricultural measures and political (Common Agricultural Policy). The present study describes the evolution of agricultural holdings since 2007 after integration into the European Union, till present because the integration was and still is a powerful pressure factor for the rapid reform of the Romanian agriculture. Oltenia region is a significant agricultural region in Romania and is one of the most sensitive regions of the country in terms of extreme weather combined with the natural and socio-economic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aim of this article is to analyze the progression of organic farming at the European level, with emphasis on trends and changes in the cultivated area under this system. The article seeks to underscore the significance and benefits associated with organic farming, particularly in response to the detrimental effects of conventional agriculture on the environment and human health, and to provide relevant information for the promotion and adoption of sustainable practices in agriculture. In light of extensive research, agricultural experts have acknowledged the adverse environmental and health consequences of conventional agriculture over the course of several decades. Consequently, they have embraced organic farming, which draws inspiration from traditional farming methods spanning thousands of years. By employing statistical analysis and utilizing data from reputable sources, the study highlights the increasing prevalence of organic farming across Europe, specifically exploring the perspective of Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of sustainable development appeared in the attempt to reconcile agri-food production with measures to conserve non-renewable resources, but also the attempt to protect the environment, and in this process the farmer has an important role given the effects that specific activities have so much on the environment. Because of this, more and more actors involved in this process, from farmers to consumers, but also politicians have begun to pay more attention to organic farming, as an advantageous means of reconciliation between man and nature. In this paper we aim to analyze the production costs recorded in six crops, both in the case of applying the conventional production system and in the case of applying the ecological system in Romania, in order to determine the profitability of those crops. The research methodology involved the use of existing data in domestic and international databases, but also data collected through the project ADER 23.1.1. Technical and economic substantiation of the production costs and estimates regarding the capitalization prices of the main vegetal and animal products, obtained in conventional system and in ecological agriculture, data that were processed, analyzed and which formed the basis for formulating conclusions. The conclusion was that sugar beet and sunflower are profitable crops both in the conventional and organic system, while rape, soybean, rice and hemp registered losses which have to be covered by subsidies. Income depends on production performance and selling price, in the both systems, and case of organic products is inversely proportional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]