AGRICULTURA ECOLOGIC+, AGROTURISM {I ... - Eco - Tiras

AGRICULTURA ECOLOGIC+, AGROTURISM{IORGANISMELE MODIFICATE GENETIC:EXPERIEN|A POLONIEI PENTRU MOLDOVAMaterialele Conferin\ei Interna\ionale.Chi[in=u, Moldova, 29 octombrie 2005***ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, AGROTOURISM&GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS:POLISH EXPERIENCE FOR MOLDOVAProceedings of International Conference.Chisinau, Moldova, October 29, 2005***ÝÊÎËÎÃÈ×ÅÑÊÎÅ ÑÅËÜÑÊÎÅ ÕÎÇßÉÑÒÂÎ,ÀÃÐÎÒÓÐÈÇÌ È ÃÅÍÅÒÈ×ÅÑÊÈÈÇÌÅÍÅÍÍÛÅ ÎÐÃÀÍÈÇÌÛ:ÏÎËÜÑÊÈÉ ÎÏÛÒ ÄËß ÌÎËÄÎÂÛÌàòåðèàëû Ìåæäóíàðîäíîé êîíôåðåíöèè.Êèøèíåâ, Ìîëäîâà, 29 îêòÿáðÿ 2005 ãîäàChi[in=uEco-TIRAS20051

Agricultura ecologic= – agroturism [i organismele modificate genetic: experien\aPoloniei pentru Moldova. Mat. Conf. Int. Chisinau, Moldova, 29 oct. 2005.Ch. : "Eco-TIRAS", 2005. P 238. Insert color. 1000 ex.International Conference "Perspectives of Organic Agriculture, the GMOs Problemand Agro- and Ecotourism Development for Moldova and Polish Experience in theseSpheres"" is held in Chisinau, Moldova, October 29, 2005, in frames of internationalfairs "Farmer-2005" and "Mold-Eco-2005", in premises of "MoldExpo" Complex.It was organized in frames of the Projects "Agritourism and organic agriculturethe chance of developement of the Moldavian village" and the "The developmentof rural areas as an element of democratization of the Moldavian village - exchangeof experiences Poland - Moldova". The projects implementing NGOs: theLower Silesian Foundation for Sustainable Development (Wroclaw, Poland), andMoldovan NGOs: Eco-TIRAS International Environmental Association of RiverKeepers (Chisinau), Habitat Agency for Local Development (Rezina) and PelicanNGO (Bender). The projects were supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofPoland and RITA Program of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.ISBNThe Conference and the publishing of this bookare supported by Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairsin frames of the project "Agritourism and organicagriculture the chance of developement of theMoldavian village" and the Polish-AmericanFreedom Foundation "The development of ruralareas as an element of democratization of theMoldavian village - exchange of experiences Poland- Moldova"The book is prepared for publishingby Ilya Trombitsky,Eco-TIRASThe photos on the cover- Valeriu Rusu, NGO ‘Habitat’, Rezina© Eco-TIRAS International Environmental Association of River Keepers, 2005.CUPRINS - CONTENT - ÑÎÄÅÐÆÀÍÈÅCapitol I. AGRICULTURA ECOLOGIC+ - ORGANICAGRICULTURE - ÝÊÎËÎÃÈ×ÅÑÊÎÅ ÑÅËÜÑÊÎÅÕÎÇßÉÑÒÂÎ 6PRODUSE ECOLOGICE - CALEA SPREO ALIMENTARE S+N+TOAS+. Anatolie Agachi 6THE PARTICULARS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE INTHE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA.Elena Bivol & Valentin Ciubotaru 7LEGUMINOASELE PENTRU BOABE - PUNTE DETRECERE LA AGRICULTURA ECOLOGIC+.Valentin Cr][maru 14ÎÐÃÀÍÈ×ÅÑÊÎÅ ÇÅÌËÅÄÅËÈÅ ÄËß ÂÎÑÑÒÀÍÎÂ-ËÅÍÈß È ÑÎÕÐÀÍÅÍÈß ÏÎ× ÍÀ ÑÊËÎÍÀÕ ÂÁÀÑÑÅÉÍÅ ÐÅÊÈ ÄÍÅÑÒÐ. Åêàòåðèíà Êóõàðóê,Ðîìàí Êóõàðóê, Îëüãà Êðèâîâà 19DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE -POLISH EXPERIENCES FOR MOLDOVA. Dorota Metera 22ÐÀÇÂÈÒÈÅ ÎÐÃÀÍÈ×ÅÑÊÎÃÎ ÑÅËÜÑÊÎÃÎÕÎÇßÉÑÒÂÀ - ÎÏÛÒ ÏÎËÜØÈ ÄËß ÌÎËÄÎÂÛ.Äîðîòà Ìåòåðà 32ÎÏÛÒ ÏÐÎÈÇÂÎÄÑÒÂÀ È ÐÅÀËÈÇÀÖÈÈ ÝÊÎËÎ-ÃÈ×ÅÑÊÎÉ ÏÐÎÄÓÊÖÈÈ Â ÓÑËÎÂÈßÕÞÆÍÎÃÎ ÏÐÈÄÍÅÑÒÐÎÂÜß ÖÅÍÒÐÀËÜÍÎÉÇÎÍÛ ÐÅÑÏÓÁËÈÊÈ ÌÎËÄÎÂÀ. Àëåêñàíäð Îìåëü÷óê 42ÎÒ ÂÈÍ ÑÐÅÄÍÅÃÎ ÊÀ×ÅÑÒÂÀ - Ê ÝËÈÒÍÛÌ,ÝÊÎËÎÃÈ×ÅÑÊÈ ×ÈÑÒÛÌ. Ð.Ï. Õà÷àòóðÿí 50Capitol II. AGROTURISM - AGROTOURISM -ÀÃÐÎÒÓÐÈÇÌ 54THE PRACTICAL ASPECT OF WORK IN THE FIELDOF ECOLOGICAL TOURISM. Alla Abramova, SvetlanaShmigaliova 54ÏÐÀÊÒÈ×ÅÑÊÈÉ ÀÑÏÅÊÒ ÐÀÁÎÒÛ Â ÎÁËÀÑÒÈÝÊÎËÎÃÈ×ÅÑÊÎÃÎ ÒÓÐÈÇÌÀ  ÌÎËÄÎÂÅ.Àëëà Àáðàìîâà, Ñâåòëàíà Øìûãàëåâà 582 3

grandmothers old time skills in chemical free plant protection, soilfertility improvement, maintenance of soil moisture, etc. Suchknowledge is being accumulated in NGO BIOS for trial and recommendationfor use to OA farmers. Yet another, relatively novel researchmethod used was Participatory Farmer Research (PRA)with its multitude of tools that has yielded a number of interestingoptions for OA initiation both in pilot villages and elsewhere. Theparticipatory generation of OA knowledge by modern farmers wasalso employed through facilitation using PRA tools during trainingevents in OA for farmers of Stefan-Voda, Cahul and Sorocadistricts.FindingsThe findings of NGO BIOS research up-to-date are well in line withthe general OA principles shown below in italic and underlined format.The argument below the text of the OA principle shows conclusionsof NGO BIOS research or project products that confirmthe viability of the principle for the conditions of the Republic ofMoldova and the need for its further pursuance within the currentand future farming systems within the country.Principle 1. To produce sufficient quantities of high quality food,fiber and other products.As shown by work in pilot farms, those farming systems are viablethat use high diversity in their crop mixtures which allows both forcrop rotation and thus fertility improvement, and for safer incomegeneration.Principle 2. To work compatibly with natural cycles and living systemsof the soil, plants and animals in the entire production system.The research has shown almost total lack of knowledge in farmersabout life cycles of cultivated crops, their compatibility, of pestsand their natural predators, of weeds, the specific features of thebirds and small animals living in the area of farming activity. Thefilling in of this knowledge gap was revealed as an important prerequisiteof large scale transition to OA in the country.Principle 3. To recognize the wider social and ecological impact ofand within the organic production and processing system.A research of the social condition of farmers and rural population ingeneral carried out within two World Bank projects by NGO BIOSstaff (in 1998 and 2005) showed that much of the current degradationof natural resources and biologic diversity is conditioned by po-8verty and low standard of living of the rural population. This conclusionled to the concept of rural development as a system of actionsaimed at improving the social, economic, ecological and culturalcondition of rural people. Observation of environmental protectionactivity in Biesti village by a local ecological NGO showed thatin isolation from other concerns of the people nature protection haslow efficiency. As an action research endeavor, NGO BIOS in cooperationwith NGO "Mester popular", the Section for TraditionalArt of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, the Ministry of Healthand Social Protection and the Association of Women's Organizationsof Moldova tired to foster business and cultural developmentwithin the village, which, in its turn, has conducted to a certain improvementof the condition of natural resources in the area.Principle 4. To maintain and encourage agricultural and naturalbiodiversity on the farm and surrounds through the use of sustainableproduction systems and the protection of plant and wildlifehabitats.While monoculture and collective management of land in the pasthas conducted to crucial loss of skills among farmers in managingthe very rich crop mix possible in Moldova, its restoration is neededboth for income generation by farmers and for promotion ofbetter nutrition patterns in the country which while having thebest tradition of growing a wide variety of legumes, vegetables,melons, berried, fruits, grapes, nuts and cereals, relies on a ratherlimited diet of meat, dairy, eggs and a few most widely spread vegetablesand potatoes. The development of a wider variety of cropsis also beneficial for the processing and for the catering industries,which currently rely to a great extent on imported raw materialsand on fast food technologies. In line with this NGO BIOS has carriedout a small research of old time diet of Moldovans still maintainedat some monasteries. The research revealed a healthy almosttotally vegetarian diet made of a wide variety of cereals, legumesin combination with local spices and herbs which is still appliedby nuns and sick people that stay at monasteries for health recovery.The research was carried out at the recommendation of WorldHealth Organization for publication of a brochure or urban agriculturein Moldova.Principle 5. To maintain and increase long-term fertility and biologicalactivity of soils using locally adapted cultural, biologicaland mechanical methods as opposed to reliance on inputs.The research of fertility maintenance practices of the old Moldo-9

vans identified very strict rules for incorporation into the soils ofany biological waste generated on the farms and in the households,including cattle manure, bird droppings, wood cinders, sawdust,etc. Hardly any farmer in modern Moldova does it any longer. Thereverting to the forgotten but useful practices is being recommendedby NGO BIOS to its rural partners as a viable alternative to thecurrent excessive use of mineral nutrients.Principle 6. To maintain and conserve genetic diversity throughattention to on-farm management of genetic resources.In the 18th century Moldova was famous for its varieties of grapes,plums, and was exporting them to Europe in dried form. Very tastylocal varieties of apples, quinsy, pears, tomatoes, pepper are stillin existence in villages; however they are not promoted for use atthe national level because their low transportability and unsuitabilityfor export. However, while unsuitable for export these varietiesare valuable for local consumption, local agro- and ecotourism,canning. Therefore they should be protected and cherished. Whilesome Moldovan researchers suggested the need creation of a nationalgenetic plant seed fund, the idea has not yet been implemented,the national varieties being lost every year in greater numbersbeing replaced by imported varieties which are good for transportationin fresh conditions but have almost no natural taste.Principle 7. To promote the responsible use and conservation ofwater and all life therein.During Soviet times much damage to the environment of Moldovawas done through drainage of marshes and natural ponds for extensionof agricultural surfaces. While agricultural area has increasedthe overall productivity has dramatically decreased throughviolation of the natural balance. Within BIOS pilot villages attemptsare made to restore water resources to their older state orto make use of existing water sources for improvement of the localnatural climate and natural resources. Thus, in Tartaul de Salcie,Butesti, Cobani, Cretoaia, and several other villages support wasprovided to actions for cleaning of wells and springs, ponds and lakes,rivers and for actions preventing their pollution.Principle 8. To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in productionand processing systems and avoid pollution and waste.In the south of Moldova where vineyards and orchards are predominanta lot of waste material is produced in the spring during pru-10ning of trees and vineyards. The waste material was usually burnedin the field which produces air pollution. A brainstorming with villagepopulation of BIOS southern pilot farm, Tartaul de Salcie revealedthat the thin limbs of trees and the vines produce steady heatin wood ovens and are suitable for baking bread and pies in summer.Thus, local population has started to use all the waste in their householdsthus eliminating a vast pollution factor. The adoption of thepractice in other villages is bound to have quite a high effect in energyconservation and prevention of air pollution.Principle 9. To foster local and regional production and distribution.While local market is duly exploited by farmers and other producersin the country, there are still opportunities for further extensionof the local market, especially now in conditions of more expensiveenergy resources. Especially important is the local consumptionof vegetables, grain and legumes, which are undervaluedby Moldovan people in comparison with meat produce and the dairy.Since the current older generation of Moldovan underwent aterrible famine artificially organized by the Soviet regime in thearea, in later times the households took to developing small familyherds of domestic animals and flocks of different birds. Thus, theresearch shows a typical rural Moldovan household to comprise amilking cow and a calf, one or two pigs, 5 to 12 and sometimes to afew dozens of sheep and goats, and 50-100 hens, ducks, geese, turkey.This conducts to overproduction of animal products and in casewhen no market is found for the produce it is all consumed in thehousehold with a disproportionately lower consumption of fruitsand vegetables which some rural people have come to consider asfood fit mainly for animals.This situation conducted to lower health indices in the rural populationwith a high mortality rate due to heart and blood circulationdiseases produced mainly by inclusion of a high share of animalprotein and fat in the diet. NGO BIOS has undertaken to improvedietary culture in the pilot and other villages through incorporationof healthy diets in its agricultural publications and in trainingevents. Thus, the "Book of the farmer" has a special chapter onhealthy diets, adequate combinations of foodstuffs and significanceof vegetal fiber for digestion and health. The education of therural population in healthy diet while necessary for the sake of improvingthe health of the people has also the potential to increasethe local market for vegetal production, including organic food.11