ISSN 2284-7995, ISSN Online 2285-3952
 

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Andrei PRIGOREANU, Ștefan VIZITEU, Stejărel BREZULEANU

The objective of this paper is to analyze the effects of funding provided through Measure 19 – LEADER on rural development, with particular emphasis on the North East region. By supporting Local Action Groups, the LEADER approach plays a key role in carrying out Local Development Strategies, fostering economic diversification in rural areas, enhancing infrastructure, and safeguarding cultural heritage. The study compares the performance of the measure between the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 periods, highlighting the increased efficiency of resource allocation in the recent phase due to the introduction of additional sub-measures (19.1, 19.3). The results show that the funding provided has generated jobs, stimulated entrepreneurship and strengthened social cohesion. The study emphasizes the necessity of consistent monitoring and ongoing support for enhancing the operational capacity of Local Action Groups (LAGs). The findings suggest that Measure 19 – LEADER acts as a driving force for sustainable rural development by encouraging active participation of local communities and promoting solutions adapted to local needs, thereby making a substantial contribution to the goals of the Common Agricultural Policy and to the broader sustainable development of rural areas.

[Read full article] [Citation]

PRIGOREANU A., VIZITEU S., BREZULEANU S. 2025, IMPACT OF M19 LEADER FUNDING ON RURAL AREAS IN THE NORTH-EAST REGION OF ROMANIA . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 663-676.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Alexandru Sorin CIOBANU, Cosmina SMEDESCU, Valentina TUDOR, Alina MĂRCUȚĂ, Liviu MĂRCUȚĂ, Dragoș SMEDESCU

Precision agriculture can be considered a revolution in modern farming, relying on data and advanced technologies aimed at optimizing production and efficiently utilizing resources. This approach enhances yields and reduces losses, thereby ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. In a global context profoundly impacted by climate change, population growth, and increasing economic demands, precision agriculture plays a critical role in adapting farms to these new challenges while ensuring their profitability. This paper aims to asses the level of technical equipment, the degree of use and perceptions of precision agriculture technologies in eight farms with various surfaces in South-Muntenia region. The research is based on a questionnaire applied on these farms. The collected data were analyzed descriptively, with graphical representations. The results highlight the widespread adoption of self-guidance systems, the variable rate applications, digital platforms and soil sensors. The identified benefits include reduced production costs, increased efficiency and improved production quality while the main barriers are high costs, lack of training and technological complexity. The overall conclusion highlights the potential of precision agriculture to support farm performance and competitiveness, with support policies and professional training needed for widespread adoption.

[Read full article] [Citation]

CIOBANU A.S., SMEDESCU C., TUDOR V., MARCUTA A., MARCUTA L., SMEDESCU D. 2025, IMPLEMENTING PRECISION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGIES IN SOUTH-MUNTENIA REGION: ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 175-184.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Dora DONCHEVA, Dimitrina STOYANCHEVA

In recent years, the development of the information economy, as part of the knowledge economy, is seen as closely related to the aspects of digital and telecommunication impact and efficiency. Modern theories of economic growth focus on the contribution of ICT, research and development (R&D) and innovation to stimulate growth, while digital technologies are considered to increase inclusion in the knowledge economy. The article aims to identify and analyze key indicators that define the information economy’s progress and its relationship with GDP growth. It investigates both widely used and less explored ICT-related metrics, resulting in a systematic classification of existing indicators used to assess the information economy’s impact on economic expansion. Findings highlight the e-government index, the online services index and telecommunications infrastructure as the reliable measures. In contrast, the productive capacities index, although indicative, is less suitable for practical application due to its complexity and focusing on narrower aspects of information economy such as ICT accessibility.

[Read full article] [Citation]

DONCHEVA D., STOYANCHEVA D. 2025, INFORMATION ECONOMY AND THE NEXUS OF ICT AND GROWTH. Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 235-244.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Agatha POPESCU, Cristina TINDECHE, Alina MARCUTA, Liviu MARCUTA, Adelaida HONTUS, Valentin ŞERBAN

Land use in the EU for cereals, oilseeds and protein crops was studied in the period 2018-2025 based on Eurostat data aiming to identify the trends, similarities and differences among the member states as a reflection how cultivated areas are involved by structure and orientation to stimulate agricultural production. Growth rate, structural index, trend equations, R square, comparison and graphical illustration represent the methodological approach. The results pointed out that the utilized agricultural land (UAA) increased by 0.82% reaching 160.56 Mill. ha, of which six countries keep 68.2%: France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Italy and Romania in which UAA is over 10 Mill. ha. The EU arable land accounts for 99.01 Mill. ha, by 1.81% smaller and having a share of 60.5% in UAA. France, Spain, Germany and Poland account for 52.9% in arable land, having each more than 10 Mill. ha. In 2025, the EU arable land is destined for two groups of crops: cereals 50.2 Mill. ha (52.5%) and oilseeds and protein crops 13.1 Mill. ha (13.9), summing 66.5%. In case of cereals, the largest arable land is allotted to soft wheat (42.1%), barley (20.5%) and grain maize (17.4%) totaling 80%. In case of oilseeds and protein crops, the highest share in arable land is kept by rape (45.1%), sunflower (35.3%) and soybean (7.9%), summing 88.3%. Smaller land surfaces are covered by other crops from these two groups in order to sustain the diversity of domestic production, to cover market needs and stimulate export. All these reflect the role of these crops in the EU vision for developing a sustainable agriculture assuring food security, animal feeding, renewable energy, industry processing and environment protection.

[Read full article] [Citation]

POPESCU A., TINDECHE C., MARCUTA A., MARCUTA L., HONTUS A., SERBAN V. 2025, LAND USE FOR CEREALS, OILSEEDS AND PROTEIN CROPS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 647-662.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Mihaela PILA, Silvius STANCIU

In the European Union, numerous small family farms are operated by over 11 million farmers, who often work independently. The highest concentration of small farms is in Romania. Due to this fragmentation, small agricultural producers can be disadvantaged in contracts with the processing and retail sectors, where there is a greater consolidation. To strengthen the negotiating power of small farms, the EU supports the formation of producer organizations (POs) and interprofessional organizations, allowing collaboration with other actors in the supply chain. This trend is currently most common in the fruit, vegetable, and dairy sectors. EU funding and support measures are available, but POs must meet strict criteria regarding membership numbers and production volume. At the local level, producer groups (LPGs) help supply markets and adapt agriculture to climate change. In this context, the aim of this paper is to analyse the territorial distribution and typology of local producer groups in Romania. The study relies on secondary data collected from European and national authorities, complemented by information from scientific databases. Statistical methods, including hierarchical clustering and Pearson correlation analysis, were applied to identify relevant territorial patterns. The results have shown that Romanian POs are concentrated in counties with well-developed agriculture and a tradition of cooperation, while their uneven distribution reflects economic, social, and cultural factors. Public policies tailored to regional needs can stimulate associations, supporting sustainable agricultural development and enhancing the competitiveness of Romanian products. The proposed analysis provides an overview of the territorial and sectoral distribution of producer groups, highlighting regional clusters useful for shaping future agricultural policies.

[Read full article] [Citation]

PILA M., STANCIU S. 2025, LOCAL PRODUCER GROUPS IN ROMANIA: AN EUROPEAN CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 595-602.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Cristian Mihai ENESCU

Agroforestry systems involve the integration of trees and shrubs with forestry value alongside cereals and/or other horticultural crops. In 2023, twenty 24m x 24m plots were established, with two of them planted with 800 raspberry plants (plot no. 3) and 800 blackberry plants (plot no. 8). The planting layout had a 1.2m row spacing and a 0.6m plant spacing within the same row. Another two plots were dedicated to cereals, another two to vegetables, while 14 plots featured a mix of various tree and shrub species. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the economic impact of incorporating non-wood forest products into the overall management of an agroforestry system. In the second year of the experiment (2024), the fruits were harvested and weighed. Calculations regarding the potential yields that could be obtained and comparisons with the costs needed for the maintenance works in forestry cultures were made. Preliminary results suggest that the combination of trees and shrubs is key to the sustainability of this agroforestry system. By adding additional shrub species, such as hazelnuts, the diversity of products can be expanded, providing landowners with more opportunities to commercialize a wider range of agroforestry products and additional time to manage them.

[Read full article] [Citation]

ENESCU C.M. 2025, MANAGEMENT OF THE NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS IN THE AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM ESTABLISHED IN HORTINOVA NURSERY, CARCEA COMMUNE, DOLJ COUNTY, ROMANIA . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 269-276.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Liliana STAVER

Moldova’s agri-food sector faces significant supply chain challenges as it prepares for deeper European Union (EU) market integration. This study evaluates Moldova’s logistics performance and infrastructural connectivity in a regional context, drawing on World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) data. The findings reveal that Moldova ranks low on LPI (97th out of 139 in 2023) with critical bottlenecks in customs clearance and transport infrastructure . Road and rail connectivity constraints—exacerbated by outdated infrastructure and limited port access—impede efficient trade flows. Case studies from Eastern Europe illustrate how targeted logistics optimization, digital transformation, and cooperative business models can enhance supply chain performance. Drawing on best practices from new EU member states and candidates, the analysis underscores that aligning with EU food safety and phytosanitary regulations is both a major challenge and an achievable goal. Strategic investments in infrastructure, adoption of digital logistics systems, and capacity-building for standards compliance emerge as pivotal solutions for Moldova’s agri-food supply chains to compete in the EU single market.

[Read full article] [Citation]

STAVER L. 2025, OPTIMIZING MOLDOVA’S AGRI-FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS FOR THE INTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 753-764.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Carmen Adriana COCIAN, Teodor DUMITRACHE, Cristina Bianca POCOL

The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions and knowledge on sustainable use of pesticides of young farmers from Transylvania. The authors of the study have opted for a qualitative approach, and to this end, seven focus groups were conducted. The findings show that farmers understand the importance of adhering to recommended dosage and avoiding unnecessary treatments as part of a sustainable pesticide use practice. However, they identified several barriers to adopting these practices, including cost, access to information, and concerns about efficacy. When asked how authorities could support sustainable practices, the participants suggested increasing subsidies, offering training sessions, launching awareness campaigns, and developing supportive public policies. Considering the impact of this topic at the EU level and the lack of detailed research, this study opens the door for future quantitative research regarding the transition to sustainable agriculture.

[Read full article] [Citation]

COCIAN C.A., DUMITRACHE T., POCOL C.B. 2025, PESTICIDES AND SUSTAINABILITY: A ROMANIAN FARMERS' PERSPECTIVE . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 193-208.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Cristian GAINA, Carmen Simona DUMITRESCU, Raul PASCALAU, Cosmin SALASAN

This paper examines the challenges and opportunities for sustainable social development in rural Romania, focusing on issues such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and lack of sustained economic development. It analyses the current socioeconomic landscape, identifies core challenges in rural service provision, and proposes strategic elements for development. The research synthesizes evidence from policy frameworks, funding mechanisms, and grassroots projects to outline strategic pathways for enhancing rural resilience. The findings indicate disparities in access to healthcare and social services, highlighting the correlation between infrastructural deficits and health outcomes in these communities. The implications suggest that interventions in infrastructure and service accessibility could improve health outcomes and quality of life in rural settings. This research contributes to the broader approach of healthcare by pointing out the connection between social development and equitable health support, advocating for integrated policy approaches to address rural challenges. Recommendations include decentralizing funding allocation, expanding social economy ecosystems, bridging urban-rural digital divides, and strengthening monitoring frameworks.

[Read full article] [Citation]

GAINA C., DUMITRESCU C.S., PASCALAU R., SALASAN C. 2025, PLANNING FOR A MORE SUSTAINED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN ROMANIA . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 297-304.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Emil MUTAFOV

Rural areas represent a significant part of Bulgaria and are crucial for regional growth and sustainability. Various policies at the European and national level help to ensure the prosperity of these regions. The main goal of this article is to review through empirical research whether rural areas in Bulgaria take full advantage of their comparative advantages and if the citizens are aware of the main goals in the plan for development for their municipalities. An analysis of the local independence provides information about the dependency of rural municipalities by the government due to the financial transfers they receive, so that is affecting the smaller settlements well-being. The research focuses on basic economic development indicators and the revenue side of municipal budgets. Main results are showing lack of awareness regarding the own revenues in rural municipalities and unconcern for the future policies. Based on the conclusions it can be suggested to increase the attractiveness to the citizens in understanding their responsibilities and have active role in municipalities decisions.

[Read full article] [Citation]

MUTAFOV E. 2025, POLICIES AND FACTORS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN BULGARIA. Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 517-522.

Page 5 of 9

The publisher is not responsible for the opinions published in the Volume. They represent the authors’ point of view.

© 2019 To be cited: Scientific Papers. Series “Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development“.

Powered by INTELIDEV

Management Journal