In the period referred to in this analyse, Bioterra team labours have been concentrated on the subsequent objectives achievement:  

• Promoting organic agriculture in Romania;

• Strengthen the Association through new members;

• Inform the decision making authorities with reference to the major problems of organic agriculture in Romania and recommend some concrete proposals to support organic farmers;

• Promote the Bioterra Association envision in Romania and in Europe, increase of its prestige and credibility;

• Grants carrying out (Apaczai Foundation, Modernizing Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (MAKIS), Soros Foundation), conventions and partnerships to support in acquiring financial assets; 

• Partnership with NGOs from country and abroad, as well as agro tourism associations, for the endorse of bio farms as a feasible business in countryside areas;  

• Bioterra publish activity. 

           To achieve this aspirations we rely on a successful partnership with Agricultural and Rural Development Ministry, National Federation for Organic Agriculture, National Agency for Agriculture Advisory and Agricultural Directions from several counties, County Offices for Agricultural Advisory, NGOs from country and abroad, organic products inspection and certification body ECOINSPECT, farmers and organic farms managers.     

Activities promoting organic agriculture 

        Based on „Apáczai Közalapítvány Foundation” support, starting with July 2007 through Mars 2008, Bioterra Association implemented an educational project “With organic agriculture it is possible to earn money!, addressed to the financing project area. During the educational program have been foreseen a theoretical course for future trainers, a study visit in Hungary at organic farms and at centres which are involve in agricultural and rural development projects conception, as well as seminars for farmers with the main aim to familiarize them with the new financing possibilities and offer basis knowledge on the topic of project conception.    

        There were organized learning visits in several places from Cluj county were have been implemented SAPARD agricultural and agro-touristy projects. The visited objectives were: Copaceni milk cow farm, meet processing unit from CIA Aboliv and „Székelykõ” pension.  

         During project development were hold 13 seminars of 8 hours each concerning the main knowledge related with European Union financing programs. The seminars took place in the following counties: Sãlaj, Arad, Cluj, Bihor, Harghita, Mures.

          Into the framework of the project "Promoting agricultural technologies with low environmental impact and with high financial efficiency for the acquiring productions" finance by the World Bank and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) by the Technical Unit of Competitive Grants Scheme (UTSCG) into the framework of the program “Modernizing Agricultural Knowledge and Information System " (MAKIS), during this year were made the following activity: 3 seminars, 3 demonstrative plots, the construction of two tanks for storing urine and visit of a demonstrative plot.

           The three seminars were hold in the following places: Belis, Gilau and Timis, with the participation of 62 persons, who watched with interest the topics, addressed what emerges from questionnaires completed at the end of each seminar.

The topics addressed were:

- current situation in organic farming, its prospects, motivation and benefits arising from the transition to this system;

- technologies for rising animals in ecological system;

- inspection, certification and legislation regarding organic agriculture in European Union countries;

- subsidies provided in the PNDR;

- organic technologies for plants growing;

- opportunities of Grants for organic farming.

Trainers at these seminars were Prof. Dr. Cornel Man, Engineer Albert Imre, engineer Hicea Silvia, engineer Lorincz Piroska, engineer Merca Ioan.

        Into the MAKIS framework project have been completed three demonstrative plots:

- demonstrative plot for testing fertilization efficiency with diluted urine, at Sãlard, Bihor county;

- demonstrative plot to test the effect of the foliar treatment with NeemAzal at fruit crops and seeding between lanes of a mixture of herbs at Rosiori – Bihor county

- demonstrative plot to analysis in disparity  the behaviour of five varieties of winter wheat   (Dumbrava, Öthalom, Ariesan, Capo, Spelt), to Floresti, county Cluj.   

       Two of certified organic farms have been equipped through this project, with storage tank for liquid wastes. They are: farm owned by Mr. Miklos Nagy, Sãlard - Bihor county, farm owned by Mr. Debreczeni Carol, Aghires - Salaj County.

        Following the demonstrative plots assembly and the construction of storage basin for liquid wastes, was organized a visit to the farm of Mr. Nagy Miklos, with the participation of 19 local housekeepers. The foreseen objectives were: vegetation progress at a culture of sunflower, administration over the demonstrative plot of the second treatment with diluted urine and visiting urine storage basin.

       During a project of the Grants Intermediation Company "Corvinus", in March 2008 Association of Bioterra succeed for a year, the title of the Entrepreneurial Center for Development undertaking it to make until the following spring activities to promote the opportunities Grants announced by the company Corvinus, for small and medium organic farmers and advisory in developing projects Grants.

Bioterra Association promote in country and abroad  

       In the period since the last Organic Farmers Conference, Bioterra Association performs miscellaneous actions that have brought it to the forefront in contributing to its recognition both national and international, including:

• During 20-21 October 2007, took place the 8^th Bioterra Conference which marked 10 years of activity of Bioterra Association. At the Conference attended over 300 people from 8 countries. The data relating to the Conference are presented in number 1 / 2008 of Bioterra magazine, which is an integral part of this material.

• During 7-11 November 2007, took place the 12^th edition of the prestigious international exhibition of equipment and products of agriculture, livestock and alimentation INDAGRA. At Salon "organic agriculture" attended with display stand firm affiliated to Bioterra: Stupina Onea, Farmacia Naturii, Cortina Bioprod, Asociatia Valea Asãului, SC Naturalia SRL, SC Naturaland SRL, SC Sonnentor SRL, SC Petras Bio SRL as the inspection and certification body S.C. Ecoinspect S.R.L.

• On January 26 this year Association's chairman, prof. Dr. Cornel Man and the Executive Director Engineer Albert Imre took part in the inauguration of the first processing unit of snail meat, investment made by a cooperative of organic farmers who grow snails, organised on  branch of product: Escar Prod Cooperative.

• During 21-25.02.2008, took place at Nuremberg in the exhibition centre Nuremberg Messe the International Fair "BIOFACH 2008, the most prestigious event in the trade fair world in organic farming. Romania was present at this international event through a National pavilion, organized by the Ministry for SMEs, Trade, Tourism and Liberal Professions - General Direction of Export Promotion and Romanian Promotion Centre for Commerce, in cooperation with the National Federation for Organic Farming.

         In the flag of Romania were present 14 companies, most members of Bioterra, with activity in organic farming, which have exposed these certified organic products:

– Apicola Bacau: honey bees and apiculture products

– Apicola Deva: honey bees and apiculture products

– Apiprodex Targu Mures: honey bees and apiculture products

– Asi Nature Sibiu: milk and milk products processed from sheep's milk: Feta. cheese, cheese with herbs

– Organic beekeeper’s Association of Romania: honey bees and apiculture products

– Asociatia Valea Asãului Bacau: milk and milk products processed from the cow: cas, Feta, cheese, butter

– SC Delta Dunãrii Organics : cereals, oil and protein

– Ecofruct Targu Mures: frozen berries, mushrooms, medicinal plants

– EcoMarket Transilvania: cereals, berries, medicinal plants, forest mushrooms

– Bioservice Luna de Sus, Cluj: cereals, oil, pasta, processed organic products (tea, dried fruit, flour, processed products of snails)

– Tremont Dobre si Fii Prahova: honey bees, propolis, or the milk and stock, pollen, fruit juices and honey

– Polen Producers Association - honey bees and apiculture products

– Agroexim Tulcea: cereals, oil and protein

         This event was a real possibility of doing businesses and signing of business contracts for those who participated, Romania's stand was visited by 681 people being completed commitments for export with an amounted of  approx. 12 320 thousand euros.

• In 10 May this year, Escar Prod and Sustainable Development Agency from Brasov county (ADDJB), organized in Teliu (Brasov county) a symposium on organic farming in the area Teliu-Brasov, under the generic "Area transformation from subsisting agriculture at the organized agriculture, ecological and associative ", attended by engineer Albert Imre and Professor Dr. Cornel Man who represent Bioterra Association, bringing their contribution to the implementation of works.

• Also in May, a significant number of local peoples, delegates from bodies and county organisations, officials from Bihor county, guests from Austria, Switzerland and Hungary, have been witnesses to an event very important in organic farmers life, but ultimately for the whole country: inauguration of the first high school vocational training of future organic farmers in Sãlard commune, Bihor county.

         For Organic Farmers Association of Romania Bioterra, the first school of organic farming is a matter of pride and satisfaction. We agree that here at Sãlard will create a strong centre for formation, training and excellence in organic farming. Our thought is that when we will have in Romania about 1 million hectares of environmental management, to set up a University of organic farming.

• Between 9-11 May 2008 at Romexpo, Bucharest, Bioterra participated in the Harmony Wellness Fair Salon, which first Issue has confirmed the importance and necessity of promoting in front of the public the segments which keep a balanced life.

        In the organic alimentation sector Organic Farmers Association of Romania "Bioterra" brought in front of the public products "tasted" fully by visitors: dairy products - Dairy Asãu; Ecoapisabin brand products, products of bakery Manor Centre, therapeutic products – Farmacia Naturii , and Thomas Weinraub from Sonnentor introduced tea whose trademark has other rival brands present at the tea salon.

• During May 20-24 in Cluj-Napoca took place, in Expo Transilvania expositional flag, the 14th Issue of the international Fair AGRARIA.

       At this expositional event Bioterra Association with the support of the organizers (Intermarketing & Consulting - Corina Mares and ExpoTransilvania - engineer Ioan Avram) has made again the Organic Salon who presented products from 6 companies, Bioterra’s members and few traditional producers. 

Editorial Activity

In the organizational plan

          The number of members who pay the fee in 2007 was 327, the number of subscribers was 336 for Bioterra’s members, respectively 937 for Agricultural Advisory County Offices . For the year 2008 have paid the fee 236 members, and have concluded contracts for the supply of Bioterra magazine with 35 Agricultural Advisory County Offices, for a total of about 900 journals quarterly.

 Dear members of the Bioterra Association,

Above were highlighted some of the Association activities and achievements during the period October 2007 - October 2008. They are the result of work submitted by many of those who are present here and I wish to note in particular the contribution made by Mr. Albert Imre, Martin Schutz, Miklos Nagy and Bodis Andrei.

There are favourable feedbacks on our activity that encourages us, but we can not overcome some unfulfilled caused among others:

-   Uncertainty for the straight away period because of the changes at MAFRD, National Agency for Agricultural Advisory and the Agricultural Directions;

-   Limited financial resources for publishing Bioterra magazine;

-   Poor market development for the sure trade of organic products;

In activity Plan for 2009 are set up targets which are addressed to lead to the improvement and even elimination of these unconvinced, during the projects in operation and projects proposed for Grants.

Together with the Executive Director, Albert Imre, we take responsibility for some unconvinced and expect suggestions, your proposals for future works.

During this meeting we bring warm appreciation for the support and rewarding collaboration provided by:

- Ms. dr. eng. Teodora Aldescu for sustain the problem of organic farming in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,

- Mr dr. eng. Toncea Ion, FNAE's President, for the promotion at national and international level of the ecological agriculture,

- Mr. Engineer Albert Imre for exemplary involvement in all activity from the past 10 years;

- Mr. Martin Schutz to support the Association  

- Vice-President Miklos Nagy for involvement in the smooth running of our activities;

- Mr. Engineer Andrei Bodis for coordinating the Bioterra magazine, attending courses and training;

- Ms. Engineer Lorincz Piroska and collaborators from Ecoinspect for good cooperation;

- Mr. Engineer Macris Marcel, director Escar Prod, for efforts in order to build the processing meat snails unit, raised organically  

- Gentlemen Farage Victor, Willy Schuster, Zoltan Dragan, Lucian Blaga, Costeliuc Cornel, Nicolae Popa, Ioan Ratiu, Popute Gheorghe for the great contribution they have made for the smooth running of things and for promote the Bioterra Association.  

- Also we must be thankful for the effort of the persons employ at Association, and of our partners from country and from abroad, among them: Dr. G. Bodnar, engineer Iurie Senic, Dr. Solti Gabor.

Preşedinte,                                          Director executiv

Prof. Dr. CORNEL MAN                    Ing. ALBERT IMRE