Baza danych projektów PROW
Young Farmers go Organic in Transylvania
Summary
This project is supporting two young farmers who decided to take further their dream of setting up a model for organic farming on a small scale in Romania by helping them expand into new markets and a wider market area.
Background
The Topa organic farm was established for the educational purposes of local school children in 2005. The farm was taken over by Tincuta and Dan Cismas, an enthusiastic young couple from Boiu, Mures in 2009. They grow lucerne, wheat, barley and oat as well as herbs, medicinal plants and roses on 35 ha. The mixed, certified organic farm also has some cattle, a few sheep and chickens. The farm’s food products are already sold in many shops and markets across the country.
Objective
The aim of this project is to: - upgrade the existing facilities at the farm through the purchase of new agricultural machinery and additional livestock; - Improve the structure of the farm holding with new enterprises.
Main activities
This EU financed project is currently supporting the following activities: - the purchase of agricultural machinery including: a mower, a potato planting machine, a hoeing machine, a mill and two rakes; - the construction of two green houses; - the purchase of 8 milk cattle
Results & Benefits
This project has already had some noticeable positive effects on the farm. For example the workload has become far less difficult (lighter overall and easier to manage) due to the new machinery and this is improving the farm’s efficiency and productivity. It is expected that that the two new green houses and the newly bought cattle will help the farm expand its array of organic food products.
Lessons learnt
The Cismas’ are not happy with all the paperwork required to implement the project and they required help to submit their application. This could be a valuable lesson as perhaps the large amounts of red tape around these applications is putting off other would-be young farmers. However they would both be eager to apply again, if given the opportunity as Tincuta believes that alone, they would have been unable to afford the upgrades to the farm.
Project location and other information
Topa Farm, Mures County, Transylvania, Romania
Region
Centru
RDP Territory
Romania
Total project cost (€)
25 000
EAFRD contribution (€)
9 357
National contribution (€)
9 093
Private contribution (€)
6 550
Contact name
Mihai Grigore
Telephone
+40723579489
Languages for contact
English, French, Romanian
At a glance
Country
Romania
Final beneficiary type
Individual farmers
Budget range
€20 000 - €99 999
Start date:
01/06/2010
End Date:
30/06/2012
Theme / Measure:
Competitiveness of Agriculture & Forestry
Promoting knowledge and improving human potential
112. Setting up of young farmers
Keywords:
Organic farming, Competitiveness , Machinery, Young farmers , Young people
Last update
16/05/2012