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.

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