Traditional produce to bear fruit for Romanian farming families
“We came here as representatives of two agricultural associations supported by World Vision. The organisation helped us identify resources that were available in our communities and explore how we can turn them into valuable business opportunities that would benefit the whole community.
In Hilita village, for instance, we started a fruit and wine association. The aim is to gather all the fruit in the village and turn it into canned fruit, dried fruit, syrup and wine and then sell the produce. We have created a fruit processing centre in the village. This year will be testing our production capacity and explore markets to sell everything”, said Ms. Liliana Nechita, founding member of the fruit and wine association in Hilita village, Iasi county.
The participation turned out to be a success for the four farmers in Iasi, as they were able to sell 130 liters of home made wine, 135 jars of fruit and canned fruit (from cherries, prunes, quinces and grapes), home made cakes, honey and home made bread.
“They managed to sell produce totaling about 500 dollars in value. And it is only the beginning. I wanted them to see for themselves that there is a demand for traditional, natural produce – even if it is still a niche market in Romania. My hope is that they will go back home with more confidence and courage to develop what we started together”, said Ms. Rozica Tita, Project Coordinator for World Vision Romania.
This is the future. But people are still skeptical...This is our most difficult endeavour – bringing back the hope “If they are able to make their business work, this will allow them to improve life quality for their families and, mostly, for their children. At present, studies show that only one in four children from rural areas are able to continue their education by attending high schools. This is happening because their parents can’t afford to support them. Job opportunities are scarce if not non-existent in rural areas and their only hope is working their land”, continued Ms.Tita.
For instance, just food and boarding for a high school student continuing his/her high school education can cost up to 400 RON/month (more than US$100). For a rural family with no stable income and surviving on whatever food they can grow on their land, these expenses are impossible to cover.
Once a European leader in the industry, Romanian agriculture now has the potential of becoming the country’s major economic engine. Still, Romanian farmers have been struggling for years to get back on their feet after the fall of the communist regime in 1989. After 50 years of collective agricultural during which individual property no longer existed, the farmers are now having a hard time understanding that the only way to move forward is to work together, in associative entities.
“This is the future. It is also the European Union model as the EU is encouraging and providing small funding opportunities for those who work together. But people are still skeptical, discouraged and many even lack hope. This is our most difficult endeavour – bringing back the hope”, acknowledged Ms. Tita.
World Vision is trying to help small farmers in five Romanian Counties through training courses, access to information and financial support for the development of small, local businesses in rural areas.
In Hilita village, for instance, we started a fruit and wine association. The aim is to gather all the fruit in the village and turn it into canned fruit, dried fruit, syrup and wine and then sell the produce. We have created a fruit processing centre in the village. This year will be testing our production capacity and explore markets to sell everything”, said Ms. Liliana Nechita, founding member of the fruit and wine association in Hilita village, Iasi county.
The participation turned out to be a success for the four farmers in Iasi, as they were able to sell 130 liters of home made wine, 135 jars of fruit and canned fruit (from cherries, prunes, quinces and grapes), home made cakes, honey and home made bread.
“They managed to sell produce totaling about 500 dollars in value. And it is only the beginning. I wanted them to see for themselves that there is a demand for traditional, natural produce – even if it is still a niche market in Romania. My hope is that they will go back home with more confidence and courage to develop what we started together”, said Ms. Rozica Tita, Project Coordinator for World Vision Romania.
This is the future. But people are still skeptical...This is our most difficult endeavour – bringing back the hope “If they are able to make their business work, this will allow them to improve life quality for their families and, mostly, for their children. At present, studies show that only one in four children from rural areas are able to continue their education by attending high schools. This is happening because their parents can’t afford to support them. Job opportunities are scarce if not non-existent in rural areas and their only hope is working their land”, continued Ms.Tita.
For instance, just food and boarding for a high school student continuing his/her high school education can cost up to 400 RON/month (more than US$100). For a rural family with no stable income and surviving on whatever food they can grow on their land, these expenses are impossible to cover.
Once a European leader in the industry, Romanian agriculture now has the potential of becoming the country’s major economic engine. Still, Romanian farmers have been struggling for years to get back on their feet after the fall of the communist regime in 1989. After 50 years of collective agricultural during which individual property no longer existed, the farmers are now having a hard time understanding that the only way to move forward is to work together, in associative entities.
“This is the future. It is also the European Union model as the EU is encouraging and providing small funding opportunities for those who work together. But people are still skeptical, discouraged and many even lack hope. This is our most difficult endeavour – bringing back the hope”, acknowledged Ms. Tita.
World Vision is trying to help small farmers in five Romanian Counties through training courses, access to information and financial support for the development of small, local businesses in rural areas.
Share