Organic Farmers Association of Romania Bioterra was established in 1997 with 26 founder members. The Association members are farmers who own small, middle and large farms (almost 2000 ha) from all Romanian area, teachers, researchers in agriculture field, consumers. In present, it t has over 3,780 members who own an agricultural surface of over 32.00 ha and 17000 large animal units.

Bioterra Association is IFOAM and Avalon Network member.  

Our main purposes are the promotion of organic agriculture in Romania, developing an harmonious relationship with the environment, the promotion of protection measures for ecosystems and biodiversity.

 

 

Organic Farmers Association Bioterra is a nongovernmental and non profit organization.

It’s main purposes are:        

-      the promotion of organic agriculture in Romania;

-      developing a national organic farmers network; 

-      farmers training;

-      advisory services;

-      assistance the farmers in developing a market for organic products;  

-      supporting the environment protection and the human health; 

-      informing the large public about the organic agriculture and its values;

-      promoting the durable development principles.

 

        Regarding the promote of the organic agriculture, starting with 1992, each year have been held seminars by Swiss lectors in over 50 places from country, the participants number is almost 2600 persons.  

Starting with 1992 every year, 30-35 young people work in Swiss organic farms, learning theoretical and practical things. At this training form participated almost 500 people. 

        In present the promote of the organic agriculture is realized, especially through classes and seminars, workshops organized in country, demonstrative plots and visits at farms from country and from abroad. In the frame work of the project developed during 2003-2006 were held over 250 seminars, with over 4000 participants. 

       Yearly is organizing the Organic Farmers Conference, at which participate over 250 guest: Association members, specialists from Universities, delegates from Ministry, delegates from similar organizations from neighborhood countries.  

       In 1999, with some abroad partners help has started the organic production inspection. The activity is recognized by IFOAM. In 2004 was accredit by RENAR and the specialty Ministry the first Romanian organic inspection and certification body, Ecoinspect – founded by Bioterra.  

      Quarterly we publish Bioterra magazine both in Romanian and in Hungarian, which is disseminate in all counties. Bioterra is the only magazine dedicated exclusively to the Romanian organic agriculture.  

     Into the first years we realize a guide for organic agriculture, with general and specific rules regarding the production, processing, labeling and organic products value, which was improve and published yearly.

     In 2004 were published the brochures Organic technologies for plants culture, Organic technologies for cows and pigs breeding, Legislative guide for organic agriculture, etc this being distribute all over the country, as the magazine.

    The books which have been published in 2005: Organic Methods and Techniques of Production in Organic Agriculture, Guide for the Combat of Weeds in Organic Agriculture, The Organic Cultivation of the Vegetables, Organic Aviculture, Medicinal Plants - Cultivated and Wild, The Bases of Organic Agriculture. The latest published book is Sawdust and wood waste use for compos.

We have strong relations and make change of information regarding the work methods, offers and request for organic products with similar associations from Germany, Swisseland, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Macedonia, Hungary and Armenia. 

     Yearly we take part at the most important events of the country exhibition life: AGRARIA (Cluj-Napoca), Expoagroutil (Constanţa), Indagra (Bucharest), and at exhibitions and fairs from abroad (Biofach, Exhibits and yearly fairs of agriculture at Debretin, Subotica, Sofia, etc.)

 

1. Days of Organic Agriculture in Romania and Armenia. Assistance for Organic Agriculture Addressed to the Conservation of Environment and Human Health. Mutual Experience in to the field of the plants culture, animals breeding, inspection and certification between the Bioterra members and  Green Lane from Armenia.  Financer: Open Society Foundation, street Căderea Bastiliei no.33, Bucharest, tel. 021 212 11 01, fax 021 212 10 32.

2. Organic Farming Methods for Controlling Farm Waste and Compost supported by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from Great Britain. Europe Environment Division, 5/E8 Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London                

 3. Promoting ecological agriculture in the departments of Cluj and Bihor from Transylvania 2003-2005. The project aim is the same with the Association one: promoting organic agriculture through information dissemination (seminars, trainings) and practical presentation of the used methods (demonstrative plots, change of experience visits)  

Results: Organize of a number of 18 seminars, 7 trainings, 6 demonstrative plots and 6 visits at the plots. Material about production technologies dissemination; realization of a marketing study about the organic products. 

 Support by: World Bank through the Agricultural and Rural Development Ministry. Project Management Unit, Supporting the services in agriculture. Address: street Negustori 1B, sector 3, Bucharest, e-mail: assp@xnet.ro, tel/fax:021 3152950, 021 3152955.

4.  Organic Agriculture - A way to protect the waters (2002).

The decrease of the pollution level of the waters with nitrates and other pollutant substances from agriculture, through informing the farmers related with the risks of the polluted waters and encouraging the cooperation between the local authorities for solving the environmental problems. Seminars organized in 15 places with 700 participants. Supporter: REC, Regional Center for Environment protection in Middle and East Europe. Street Episcop Timus no. 4, et. 1 Bucharest/Romania, Tel: 40-1-231 97 64, 40-1-231 97 65, Fax: 40-1-231 20 17 E-mail: rec@recromania.ro. ]

5.  Filming organic farms in Swissland – study visit at organic farms in Swissland (2001)

6. Organic agriculture – alternative to redress the agriculture and the environment protection – 2003, Change of experience and round table with the main topic, promote of the organic agriculture in Romania, environment protection, trainings.  

7. Program “Model organic farms in Romania” (2003). The aim: study the organizational and functional way of the organic farms. Objectives: training a group of 15 trainers, who will work in promoting organic agriculture with Bioterra Association. The implementation place: Sibiu, Teleorman, Tulcea, Arad and Timişoara counties.

8. Seminars and change of experience regarding the development of the organic agriculture (2004). Supporter: Open Society Foundation, street Căderea Bastiliei no.33, Bucharest, tel. 021 212 11 01, fax 021 212 10 32

9. Sustainable development of the villages and the environment protection through organic agriculture (2003). The aim: improving the environment and soil conditions in the areas were is practicing the intensive agriculture. Project addressed to the small households into the hill and mountain areas in counties from Transylvania and Moldova. Supporter – Partnership Foundation, Miercurea Ciuc, street Harghita no. 7/A/6, tel. +40 266 310678, fax. 310686 e-mail: epce@topnet.ro.

10. Project concerning organic agriculture promote and householders training for project creating and founds obtaining from EU. Period June – October 2002. The project aim: notifying the farmers about organic products sealing, inspection and certification, European Union rules, founding possibilities of the organic agriculture. Implementation area: Bihor, Sălaj, Covasna, Harghita, Timiş, Bistriţa, Sibiu, Mureş, Cluj counties. Supporter: UKKA Foundation, Budapest, street Deak Ferenc nr.10, tel. +36 1 266 7669, fax. +36 1 266 7671
           11.  The 7th Bioterra Conferences organized with the participation of aver 250 guests/ conference: farmers, teachers, specialists from abroad etc.