Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Georgeta TEMOCICO, Monica STURZEANU, Viorel ION

Strawberry is an early species, producing at short time after planting, according to crop technology and variety. Strawberry growing is profitable by extending the ripening and delivering periods, using economically feasible techniques and new valuable varieties. Strawberry fruit quality is defined by several characteristics and is influenced by genetic factors, crop location and growing methods. The purpose of the study was to identify the Romanian strawberry growers’ needs, limitations and pathways in order to put forward the traits which can influence the choice of varieties by the strawberry growers, as a solution for their sustainability. The main limitation identified was the strawberry varieties used in their crops, beyond the dominance of unprotected consecrated crop technologies with low-density. In this respect we have highlighted some traits of strawberry varieties which can influence the future choices of Romanian growers: harvesting season, desired characteristics of fruit quality, and plant architecture related to production potential and stress factors.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Cristian Mihai ENESCU

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) is generally recognized as a useful tree species across its wide natural distribution range. In Romania, even if the presence of this species especially in mountainous and hilly regions is quite common, little is known about the uses of its sap, a special category of non-wood forest products. The aim of this paper was to test different methodologies for sap harvesting and syrup and alcoholic beverage production. Forty mature birch trees were sampled. During two days of spring, more than 70 liters of sap were collected. Syrup and alcoholic beverage were also obtained. At a small-scale, birch syrup and alcoholic beverage production could become an important source of income for birch forest owners.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Mirela CĂRĂTUȘ STANCIU

The paper studied the importance of bio conservation of farm animals form rare breeds in context of them using for maintenance of local culture and tradition, tourist attraction and leisure activities. We are supporting to promote active and sustainable use of animal genetic resources and create an effective interaction among relevant stakeholders for an active exchange of knowledge on genetic resources. In our country the following species and breeds were registered as vulnerable in 2013: 1 breed of cattle, 2 breeds of goats, 10 breeds of sheep, Romanian Buffalo, 2 breeds of pigs, 1 breed of hen and 8 breeds of horses. Many local breeds hade played a central long role in the social and cultural life of rural populations. Bio conservation of rare breeds from farm animals help maintain biodiversity, improve the quality of agricultural products by promoting a sustainable agricultural production and fostering the sustainable development of rural areas.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Ibrahim S. USMAN, U.M BAKARI, Aliyu ABDULLAHI

The study analyzed crop farmers and herdsmen conflicts in Girei Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select two out of ten wards in the Local Government Area and 96 (crop farmers = 64, herdsmen = 32) respondents respectively. A questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents. The results from the study revealed that 62.5% of the respondents were below the age of 50 years the two groups exhibited differing occupational characteristics; most farmers (62.5%) were small-scale operators (1-3 hectares), most herdsmen (81.2%) operated on a relatively higher scale (more than 60 heads of cattle). Destruction of crops and crop residues by cattle and burning of rangelands and blockage of stock routes by crop farmers were the major causes of conflict. Repercussions of conflicts included loss of income (100.0%), loss of yield (100.0%) and stored product (64.0%) among crop farmers. Herdsmen reported minimal losses of their income (40.6%), yield (46.9%) and stored product (53.1%). Conflict also exacerbates insecurity, loss of quality support, self esteem, social support and food crisis particularly in rural communities with repercussions nationwide. Respondents suggested that: traditional and local leaders should be well involved in finding lasting solutions to conflict and factors of conflicts must be properly managed by institutions involved in the conflict resolutions. It is recommended that herdsmen should be made to keep to the agreed grazing reserve and routes and farmers should avoid farming across cattle routes and grazing reserve. Structures must be created by the communities to generate networks and feedback to ensure that people relate amicably for common use of resources.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Marioara RUSU, Liliana GURAN-NICA

This paper investigates the professional education of farm heads from Romania and makes a rough estimation of the basic financial resources to train them for the next twenty years. Results are mainly based on statistical data analysis. Coming out conclusions show that Romanian farm heads hold the last place in the European Union (EU) regarding professional training. To improve this situation have estimated a need of about two billion euros for the next twenty years. Based on the results, the paper proposes several main areas for upskilling.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Camelia SAVA

Climate change effects on agriculture are estimated to be dramatically affected for the next 20 years [15]and up to 2050 and therefore it is a great need for increasing diversity in crops species for improving their ability to deal with drought, floods and harsh conditions generally. The scope of this article was to evaluate three grasses perennial species for their development under experimental drought conditions. Thus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis and Lolium perenne were selected for this experiment as they are very important for Romanian grasslands. There have been used two types of seeds for each species: control, certified seeds and regenerated after in vitro cultivation on polyethylene glycol of these three species and obtained in a previous study [2]. Our results revealed that the plants regenerated upon in vitro cultivation on PEG are better adapted to drought conditions.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Raphael Ndubuisi ECHEBIRI, Chigozirim Ndubuisi ONWUSIRIBE, Daniel Chinedu NWAOGU

This paper examined livelihood diversification as a survival strategy and a means to escape food insecurity among rural farm households in Abia state. Although still of central importance, farming on its own is increasingly unable to provide a sufficient means of survival in rural areas thus necessitating the need for diversification. Food security condition was not much improved as about 67% of the households were unable to meet their daily food energy requirement with 8% of relative deficiency. The logit regression result showed that diversification was influenced by household size, amount of credit received, education of the household head, cooperative membership and monthly income while food security status was influenced by years of education of household head, credit access, monthly income, age of household head and household size. Rural farmers should be encourage to participate in varied income generating activities in both agriculture and nonagricultural ventures to enhance their income and break the vicious cycle of poverty and impoverishment. The provision of soft loans at reduced interest prices will catalyze involvement in non-farm income generating activities thereby creating a boost in household income and consequently, welfare.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Gbolagunte S. OJEWOLA, Uzodinma L. OKEKE, Adeyemi O. OLOJEDE

Two hundred and forty three day-old early strain (Abor acre) broiler chicks were randomly assigned to nine treatment diets, replicated thrice in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate the substitutional effects of enzymes supplemented and non-supplemented dietary cassava flour for maize in broiler nutrition. The experiment lasted 49days (7weeks). Growth performance, feed and economic efficiency, carcass and organ proportions, serum chemistry and hematological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) influenced. Birds fed diet 1 gave a superior (P<0.05) performance over and above all the other diets in terms of the mean final weight (1885.18g), body weight gain (1,834.19g), revenue (N1,100.20) and gross margin (N125.33) realizable, hematology and serum chemistry values. This was closely followed by birds fed diets 2, 3, 4 and 5. The results further showed that substitution of maize with enzymes supplemented and non-supplemented cassava flour beyond 50% in the broiler diets reduced revenue (N) realizable and gross margin (N), an indication that the diets did not optimize economic returns nor enhance biological values. In conclusion, diets 1 on one hand and 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the other are hereby recommended for optimal performance and economic returns.

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Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Joseph Chimere ONWUMERE, Chinonso Henry ENE, Esther Chioma ACHILIHU

This research work was carried out to identify and analyze the liquidity status and performance of farming and non-farming enterprises of rural households in Abia State. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to select 100 household enterprises comprising of farming, non-farming and a combination of the both. Simple descriptive statistics, profitability ratios and multiple regression models were employed in the data analysis. The profitability and liquidity results showed that farming and non-farming enterprise households respectively made a Return on Equity such that 14.2% and 16.5% returns were obtained from equity investments. The result on Return on Assets shows that 3.1% and 7.1% returns were made on assets by farming and non-farming enterprises respectively implying that assets were efficiently used by non-faming enterprises. The current ratio stood at 1.562 and 1.722 for farming and non-farming enterprises. Similarly, the quick ratio was 1.091 and 1.100. The enterprises were able to cover short-term liabilities. The savings, income and investment variables were majorly influenced by the operators’ individual characteristics such as age, education, level of experience while macroeconomic variables like disposable income also exerted significant influence. It was therefore recommended that government pursues relevant monetary policies that will reduce interest rates paid on long-term debts as well as tame high inflationary pressures prevalent in the country. Firms must be take serious care in ensuring that the limit to which they can incur debts so as to avoid running into deficits and bankruptcy. As a rule, the enterprises must allow debts provided their solvency is not jeopardized. Government should pursue policies that will make these enterprises optimize available liquidity in the domestic economy as well as increase their return on equity.

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