Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 22 ISSUE 1
Written by Cristian Mihai ENESCU

Since centuries, the collecting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) represented one of the main human activities. Initially, the forest products were used in nutrition and traditional medicine, but with the development of society, they became significant sources for different industry branches. Romania has a long history and tradition in harvesting and using NTFPs, hundreds of species being of great interest nowadays. Along the Romanian Carpathians and their nearby territories, several communities are very active in collecting, processing and marketing of NTFPs. The aim of this study was to assess the collecting and marketing potential of NTFPs in Horezu locality (Vâlcea County). The methodology consisted in a questionnaire with 11 questions that was applied in one hundred households across Horezu during April 2020. Collecting of NTFPs represents a current activity, a high share of the inhabitants being interested in obtaining additional income for their family by selling the products either raw or processed. Due to the tourist potential of Horezu, the local people are motivated to collect considerable quantities of certain NTFPs, such as edible mushrooms, wild berries and medicinal plants. The diversification and the intensification of collecting and trading of NTFPs should be done in a sustainable way.

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