National Rural Development Programme Research Articles

RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF SUBMEASURE 17.1 "CROP, ANIMAL AND PLANT INSURANCE PREMIUMS" ON AGRICULTURAL FARMING

The study aims to create an overview of access to non-reimbursable funds offered by the European Union through the National Rural Development Program through submeasure 17.1 In this way, an analysis was made of the current situation of the compensation of crop, animal and plant insurance premiums on Romanian farmers through these funds. This analysis showed that Romanian farmers became increasingly interested in crop insurance premiums from the National Rural Development Program (PNDR) 2014-2020, amid the drought. According to market data, approximately 15% of agricultural crops are insured in Romania, given that insurance companies are generally limited to problem areas. For this period, a total of 16,536 funding applications were submitted, of which 14,379 applications were eligible for funding, 1,536 funding applications were ineligible for funding, and 441 funding applications were withdrawn. In the case of eligible applications, the total amount of funding applications was 196,160,907 lei, and the non-refundable support was 133,525,367.5 lei, in the case of ineligible applications, the total amount of funding applications was 22,953,885.82 lei , and the non-refundable support would have been 12,489,088.03. in the case of ineligible applications, the total amount of funding applications was 2,220,356.30 lei, and the non-reimbursable support would have been 1,222,778.09 lei.

STUDIES REGARDING THE CURRENT SITUATION OF INVESTMENTS MADE WITH EU PUBLIC FUNDS IN MEAT AND MILK PROCESSING UNITS, IN THE SOUTH-WEST OLTENIA REGION

The most important areas of the food industry are meat and milk processing and have a particular impact on increasing the competitiveness of the national economy, but also on ensuring the food security of the population.Through the study, I proposed to provide an overview of the growth and development of meat and milk processing capacities by using the non-reimbursable funds offered by the European Union through the National Rural Development Program, to make an analysis of the current situation on these investments through these funds. In the food industry, in meat and milk processing units, at national level, between 2015 and 2019, 130 projects were financed, with an eligible value of €228,470 thousand (public value €114,937 thousand). At the level of the South - West Oltenia Region, 12 projects were selected where their eligible value was €32,164 thousand (public value €15,309 thousand).

THE BEHAVIOR OF SOME HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM L.) ON THE SANDY SOILS FROM SOUTH-WEST OF ROMANIA

The highbush blueberry was introduced to Romania by Prof. Nicolae Stefan in 1968. The first plantations were concentrated in the area of the hilly hills, so in the 80s years the cultivated area in Romania amounted to approximately 300 ha, but in the 90s years it decreased to only 60 ha. With the beginning of the new National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, and allocation of European funds for the fruit growing, the blueberry crop became even better. In the present in Romania are about 1000 ha with blueberry orchard distributed in the mountain and hilly areas. Starting from 2019, at Dăbuleni Research & Development Station for Plant Cultivation on Sandy Soils, on a soil with a pH of 6.36, studies began on the behaviour of high bush blueberry in the plain area. An experimental plot with the Duke, Nelson and Patriot cultivars was established; the plants were planted on raised beds covered with polypropylene mulch fabric (Agrotextile). Drip irrigation was provided under the mulch. Following the studies carried out in the 2020-2022 period, the Patriot cultivar stood out with an average fruit weight of 2.65 g/fruit and a production in the 4th year after planting by the 3.2 t/ha. The Duke variety recorded the highest value of fruit vitamin C content (13.11 mg) versus to the other studied cultivars.

The Algerian agricultural sector between the question of food security and its implication in economic diversification strategy

AbstractThe agricultural sector in Algeria has always sparked a fascinating and captivating debate for years, in particular in the phase of economic transition started and triggered after the sharp fall in the price of the barrel and the need to adapt to the new, more liberal, and opened economic mechanism. Many scientific writings were devoted to this subject, in particular O. Bessaoud, S. Bedrani, M. Boukella, A. Daoudi, A. Djennane, and others, trying to demonstrate and approve the crucial role played by this sector in the national economy, others to enumerate and identify the hiccups and obstacles to the smooth running of it, but the result remains that agriculture (in all its branches and sub‐activities) does not seem to reach its cruising speed and is content just to meet the expectations and needs of domestic consumers, with particular attention to the prices and quality of products and goods supplied. Of course, we must not deny the efforts made by the State to revive this sector, through the investment programs and the financial envelopes granted, the most resounding consists in the PNDAR (National Agricultural and Rural Development Program) at the beginning 2000, but the result shows a deplorable situation, which does not find a real argument and explanation, despite the innumerable interventions of local administrations (banks, taxes, insurance, justice, customs, and others). So we find ourselves faced with a state of affairs that hardly favors a serious enough reflection on the future deadlines of the sector, in particular in a context where the question of food security arises acutely and the return to the problem of economic diversification (in which a more preponderant and crucial role is reserved for the agricultural sector) is making a strong comeback on the national scene. Our main problem is as follows: “Could the agricultural sector in Algeria succeed to guarantee food security and a contribution in the economic diversification of the State.” For this purpose, some findings can be traced such as the economic perspectives of agriculture, the question of food security, the future of Algerian economy, the policy and strategy of economic diversification, and others. The main results expected turned mainly about the evolution of agricultural products for food consumption, the tools to manage the policy of food security, the means used to realize the economic diversification, and the nature of relation between the agricultural sector and the economic diversification. The scientific methods to be exploited in this paper will be mainly a descriptive analysis based on exploring the agricultural production, the food's consumption evolution, and the evolution of some macroeconomic indicators. Regarding this fact, we will try, in this paper, to seriously and objectively examine what role this sector can play in a double vision: ensuring food security for the population and getting involved in economic diversification initiatives for better economic international competitiveness.

Research on Soil and Nutrient Losses through Liquid Runoff, in Order to Mitigate the Climate Risks to Which Romania Is Exposed, in the Context of CAP

The current paper presents the monitoring of soil and nutrient losses through runoff as the result of the climate change. The experimental results were recorded on the standard plots for runoff and erosion control. The results of the studies carried out highlight that total nitrogen losses range from 0.05 kg/ha to 12.60 kg/ha, potassium displaced from the plots has values between 0.02 and 1.35 kg/ha, the humus associated with the eroded soil includes values between 0.51 and 176.5 kg/ha, phosphorus is recorded with maximum values of 0.39 kg/ha, the total iron losses have values between 3.14 and 431.16 g/ha, manganese has losses from 1.69 to 290.82 g/ha, copper losses range from 0.15 to 7.62 g/ha, and, regarding zinc, the values are within the limits of 0.25–57.22 g/ha. The maximum values of the displacement of fertilizing elements from the sloping agricultural lands, by means of liquid and solid leaks, are registered at the plots left as permanent black fields, the plots practically unprotected against the rain erosion. The experiments were performed at the Soil Erosion Research and Development Station “Mircea Moțoc”, Perieni/Staţiunea de Cercetare Dezvoltare pentru Combaterea Eroziunii Solului “Mircea Moţoc”, Perieni (SCDCES—MM, Perieni), Vaslui County, an institution strategically located in an area subject to erosion soil. Additionally, the paper envisages how the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) can be of use in this area by analysing past lessons and providing an overview of what was done.

Could Lavender Farming Go from a Niche Crop to a Suitable Solution for Romanian Small Farms?

Lavender crops have had an impressive continuous development in recent years, being currently a suitable alternative to other traditional crops because they can yield a high profit per hectare. This can be especially useful in Romania, with its high prevalence of subsistence and semi-subsistence farms. This study aims to analyse the issue of small emergent lavender farms in the context of the current Romanian agricultural background, including the framework mechanisms for implementing the Common Agricultural Policy at a national level. The research uses the qualitative survey method to provide broad, synthetic, analytical insights into small lavender farms/businesses in Romania, considering the perspective of the following two target groups: farm owners and civil servants with agricultural expertise. The main results show that both sample groups agree that lavender farms can be successful and satisfactory solutions. Increasing participation in information and training sessions may improve farmers’ access to financing mechanisms, but both small farmers and civil servants with agricultural expertise identify a series of problems, mainly regarding the absence of a dedicated market for lavender-based products and a lack of labour force, both essential for maintaining the farming–processing–commercialising chain. The authors also conclude that a more flexible and future harmonisation between Romania’s agricultural realities, the Common Agricultural Policy, and the National Rural Development Programme would improve lavender farming’s social and economic impact. Follow-up research may envisage more in-depth market analyses for this emerging sector in Romania, facing obvious competition, but which could also benefit from good practice exchanges in the region.

The Impact of RDP Measures on the Rural Development: The Case of Romania

The goal of this study is to analyze the development of rural areas in Romania on the basis of the absorption of both the European non-reimbursable funds and the national funds for the modernization of the infrastructure of villages and communes. The aim of the article is to carry out thorough empirical research on the process of rural development in Romania as a facet of the EU’s overall rural development. Thus, in order to obtain relevant results in connection with the pursued goal, we will be using hierarchical cluster analysis to observe the effects of the expenses financed through the National Rural Development Program (NRDP) on the development of rural areas. In accordance with the methodological approach of research, our goal is to give a picture of the way in which Romania’s counties (NUTS 3) were clustered at the beginning of the multi-annual planning (2014) as well as at the end of the planning period, in 2020, and to point out a series of practical and concrete aspects generated by the opportunities that the rural areas have had in terms of attracting structural funds. Based on the conducted analysis, we can say that a series of positive aspects can be put in the spotlight as a result of the existence of the European irredeemable funds, which engender positive direct and indirect effects on both the economy and the population’s standard of living.

National and European Actions for the Development of Rural Areas - Stimulus for Ensuring the Sustainability of Economic Development

The policies of the European Union pursue a sustainable and balanced development of the territory of the Community, these aspects being found in the objectives of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030. Among these objectives are some in the field of agriculture and rural development such as: SDG 2: eradicating world hunger, EU agriculture ensures that food is produced sustainably for all EU citizens, and that EU food exports contribute to food security in third countries. EU rural development and agriculture policies also support other SDGs: SGD 1 (without poverty), DGS 8 (decent work and growth), SGD12 (responsible consumption and production) and SGD 15 (terrestrial life). The article analyses the National Rural Development Program that was created to support through non-reimbursable funds from the European Union and the Romanian Government the economic and social growth of rural areas in Romania, starting from the 6 priorities defined at the European Union level. Thus, we will study the rural development measures financed through the NRDP, in the period 2014-2020, with a total financial allocation of 9.333 billion euros, of which 8.015 billion euros from the EAFRD and 1.347 billion euros representing the national contribution. We will present these measures in detail, based on public data available in August 2021.

"Comparative analysis of the National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 between Romania and Poland "

The National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) is a programme of the European Union and the Romanian Government to provide free funds for the economic and social development of rural Romania. The purpose of this study is to highlight the situation of Romania compared to Poland, both Member States of the European Union, in terms of financial allocation of the national rural development program in the period 2014-2020. To achieve this goal, the financial statements on the allocation of NRDP for both states were analyzed, including the number of applications submitted and payments completed for the main sub-measures financed by NRDP. The NRDP has a strong impact on agricultural production in rural areas and, therefore, in addition to financing the development and modernisation of agricultural production and rural infrastructure, the European Fund has contributed to improving the quality of life of rural populations by creating new jobs. For measure 4.1, Poland implemented projects worth €2.23 billion, or 52.6% of the total allocation for the measure, and Romania implemented projects worth €0.677 billion, or 42.3% of the total allocation. In terms of the number of farms in 2016, Romania registered 3.4 million farms and a workforce of 6 million employees on farms, double the number of Poland (1.4 million farms and 3 million employees on farms).

The impact of National Rural Development Program on investments in the agricultural sector

"Investment, as a material support of economic development, is an important factor in achieving the transition to a successful agriculture. In the most common cases, investments in agriculture ensure a technical increase in production by including fixed assets. This process is a form of manifestation of technical progress in agriculture to ensure economic growth and higher productivity. This paper aims to present the impact of National Rural Development Program (NRDP) measures on the economic development of the agricultural sector. In this sense, the net investments made on financing sources and the net investments made in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Romania in the period 2015-2019 were analyzed, using the statistical data presented by National Institute of Statistics (INS), thus noticing an increase of 23%, respectively 1,04%. Growth was supported by investments made through the European Structural Funds granted in the two operational financing periods, respectively 2007-2013, 2014-2020. From the data presented in the most recent report on the state of absorption within NRDP 2014-2020 published by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), it was noted that Romania had allocated structural funds totalling 10,968 million euros, of which 60.73% were payments to beneficiaries, the degree of absorption of European funds being 57.56% of the total allocation."

Possibilities of restoration of natural or seminatural grasslands

The number of natural grassland restoration projects increased in the last decade in Hungary, and probably the area of restored grasslands will be significantly extended in the next years due to New National Rural Development Program. To contribute to the success of this activity, in this paper we review the most important theoretical and practical aspects of natural grassland restoration methods. In the course of grassland restoration, habitats dominated by grasses and/or sedges have been restored in place of arable lands. In order to perform “natural” restoration, we should consider the ecological conditions of the landscape, and reconstruct natural or seminatural grasslands including of native plant species. Essentially, rehabilitation of natural landscape is supported also by creating new seminatural grassland patches. The basic principles of the natural grassland restoration are:
 1. When a spontaneous secondary succession starts to proceed on an abandoned field without invasion of any alien plant species, the re-ploughing of the abandoned field has to be ignored.
 2. Generally, the old fields surrounded by species-rich natural or seminatural grassland pathes can succesfully be restorated. Then, as a consequence of newly restored vegetation patches the recovery of the whole landscape can be accelerated. Furthermore, by restoring isolated grassland patches surrounded by arable lands a more diverse landscape pattern could be developed.
 3. Spontaneous secondary succession of grasslands should be assisted.
 4. The development of typical species composition of a seminatural grassland can be promoted by methods of spreaded hay. For successful process the hay has to be cut in a habitat type similar to ones that will be restored.
 5. Applying seed-mix for sowing can be useful to prevent spreading weeds drastically in the early stages of succession.
 6. Ideally, the seed-mix is originated from own harvesting or gathering from similar (or the same) habitats. If it is not possible, commercially available seed-mix can be applied, in which the dominant species is the same as in the restored habitat, with similar proportion.
 7. Seed-mix consists of alien species has to be avoided.
 8. If the composition or structure of the restored grassland is not appropriate after some years, the renewal of the grassland could be necessary. During the improvement process the reploughing of the restored grassland is avoided, but spreading seeds or hay, and direct sowing can be applied.
 9. The loading of nutrient is not necessary in any stages of grassland restoration.
 10. Applying chemicals is avoided; any herbicides can be used only when extensive invasion of alien plant species occurs.
 11. The mechanical intrusions on soil are also avoided.
 12. The restored grasslands is required regular or continuous management, which could be a preserving mowing or moderate grazing. The aspects of nature conservation should be considered.

Can rural stakeholders drive the low-carbon transition? Analysis of climate-related activities planned in local development strategies in Poland

In the postulated efforts to limit adverse climate change (CC), increasing attention is paid to the development of distributed renewable energy (RE) that meets the needs of local communities on the spot. This article analyses the objectives, planned actions and performance indicators related to CC and RE, defined by national and local stakeholders in: (1) the national Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014–2020 in Poland and (2) in the bottom-up Local Development Strategies (LDS) financed from RDP and using a Community-Led Local Development approach. The content analysis method was used. We found that the strategy documents considered, created in the years 2014–2015, paid relatively little attention to local actions related to CC and RE. Some educational activities related to adaptation and mitigation of CC were planned in 66% of LDS, while investment support for RE was planned only in 9% of the LDS. Traditional goals such as supporting local businesses and farmers, local cultural heritage and the development of human and social capital were seen as more important. The results of the analysis suggest a relatively low level of interest from rural-policy actors in Poland in implementing the climate-friendly objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. This article contributes to understanding why Poland failed to meet the European 2020 RE development goals. These issues are discussed in the context of national and continental climate policy and problems of transformation to post-carbon society.

Analysis of the impact of the allocation of European funds on rural development in Romania

Rural development within the European Union has been a continuous evolution of rural space through which it has responded to the needs and challenges of the European Community. Thus, the European Union has created and implemented the Common Agricultural Policy, and rural development is its second pillar. In the case of Romania, agriculture and rural development is a priority sector in terms of economic and social growth, due to the large area occupied by rural areas, but also due to the large area of agricultural land that is found on the territory of Romania. This article is intended to be an objective analysis of the impact that European funds have had on the development of the Romanian rural area regarding the allocation of these funds. At the same time, the degree of absorption of the National Rural Development Program (NRDP) was analysed.

Rural Development in Romania – A Few Considerations

Abstract The ‘Agenda 2000’ introduces the Rural Development Policy, as part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as a complex policy that can ensure a stable income and a reasonable standard of living for the rural population. Rural development is a major CAP objective since over 50% of the population lives in rural areas and accounts for 80% of E.U. Territories. As a concept, the ‘rural area’ is defined both at a national and European level following specific criteria; however, these criteria differ from one country to another. A complete definition can be found in the European Charter of Rural Areas. Between 2014-2020, the development of rural areas in Romania is supported by the National Rural Development Program. It provides non-reimbursable funds from the European Union and funding from the Government of Romania. Convergence with the Europe 2020 Strategy is ensured through the Partnership Agreement with the European Union, which covers a number of challenges and thematic objectives. In order to achieve them, well-founded investment programs are needed. These programs must have a direct impact on increasing the living standards of the population residing within rural areas. Over 19 billion euros were allocated to Romania for the 2014-2020 period; these funds were used for agricultural policy and rural development. The total budget of the NRDP (2014-2020) is 9.4 billion euros, of which 1.3 billion euros comes from national funding. We believe the achievements recorded in rural areas, up to 2020, are modest and do not reflect the proposed objectives. Thus, projects were drawn up at national and local levels seldom support rural development and do not reflect development needs; sadly, these projects are often drawn up without focusing on efficiency.

Accessing the European funds for agriculture and rural development in Romania for the 2014-2020 period

Abstract This paper aims at identifying the extent to which Romania has accessed European funds for agriculture and rural development in the 2014-2020 period. During this financing period, Romania has received more than 8.12 billion euros from the European Union budget, more precisely from the Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFDR), through the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP). Five percent of the available amount was allocated to the Leader approach at local level and at least 30% was allotted for environmental protection measures. This paper will analyze the number of projects which were submitted, selected and contracted and the payments made until 2019. Subsequently, an analysis will be carried out of the NRDP sub-measures in order to prove the usefulness and necessity of this type of structural programme. The rate of absorbtion of European funds will be closely correlated with indicators such as the evolution of the GDP / inhabitant, the population and the number of enterprises in rural areas, the employed population and the number of enterprises in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the development of villages through the construction or modernization of roads, sewage infrastructure, water and gas. To conclude, the positive and negative aspects regarding the implementation of European funds will be listed, especially in the fields of agriculture and rural development in Romania.

Cherneha O. B., Chepurnova A. V. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UKRAINE AND POLAND FOOD SECURITY LEVELS

Objective. The purpose of the article is to compare the levels and mechanisms of food security management in Ukraine and Poland, to identify the main factors influencing the processes of its formation and to determine the directions of increasing the level of Ukraine food security. Methods. The scientific results of the study were obtained using the following methods: theoretical generalization and comparison (for the study of meaningful aspects of the definition of «food security»), analysis and synthesis (for comparative analysis of Ukraine and Poland food security levels), abstract-logical method (for establishing the links between the level of economic development of countries and the levels of their food security and determining the directions of increasing the Ukraine level of food security). Results. On the basis of a comparative analysis of Ukraine and Poland food security levels, a significant gap in Ukraine’s provision of food security has been identified. Thus, with respect to all food security components identified by FAO, except for the «use» of sanitary and safe drinking water, Poland has reached far ahead of Ukraine. It has been found that for the period 2012–2018, the value of the Global Food Security Index for Ukraine decreased by 2.1 due to a decrease in the level of affordability and availability of food, while the Polish side increased its position on GFSI by 2.8 due to the increase in affordability and availability of food in the country. It has been found that the decisive influence on the level of food security in Poland, as well as high ranking in the ranking is carried out by the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the implementation of the Polish Rural Development Program and significant public spending on agriculture. It has been determined that the main directions for improving the level of food security of Ukraine should be: lifting the moratorium on the sale of agricultural land; financing the agri-food sector not only through public spending but also through EU programs; creation and implementation of the National Rural Development Program; full and unconditional implementation of Government programs on EU integration; adaptation to the EU Common Agricultural Policy standards.

Investigation of farmers’ markets from the sales side

Farmers’ market may solve many problems concerning long-distance transport. In this sales form, physical distance is reduced between the producer and the consumer, furthermore personal relationships and trust can be also established between these two actors. In addition, it provides small producers with the opportunity for producing and selling local, high-quality foods, and consumers are able to enjoy delicious, mostly local organic food products. Farmers’ market is an increasingly popular sales channel in Hungary. While in 2010 there were 100, in 2014 there were around 200 farmers’ markets, in 2017 their number increased to more than 250. The National Rural Development Program also encourages the sale of local products in this form. In this paper, a questionnaire survey was conducted with producers in the largest farmers' markets of the Transdanubian Region in Hungary, which was used to analyse the farmers’ market features of the region.

The evolution of soil conservation policies targeting land abandonment and soil erosion in Spain: A review

Land degradation affects natural and cultivated socio-ecosystems worldwide. Soil erosion is one of the main processes leading to land degradation, and the process is accelerated by human actions. Spain is dealing with extensive land degradation caused by land use and land cover change (LULCC), for instance by land abandonment, and local geo-ecological conditions. Recent land abandonment in Spain can be largely related to changing policies and international market development, which have resulted in the reallocation of agriculture and a shift from traditional rainfed crops to intensification of irrigated agriculture. This radical change in LULCC by land abandonment resulted in two opposite trends, towards greening-up and towards land degradation, each with enormous consequences for the environment by its effects on soil hydrology, runoff, sediment sources, soil erosion, fluvial channel adjustments and forest fire risks. To mitigate negative effects, appropriate management and conservation strategies are necessary.In this review, we analyze the top-down policy framework of soil conservation in Spain, with a specific focus on the Region of Murcia. We found that multiple international policies, i.e. the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the European Water Framework Directive and the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), contribute to soil and water conservation at the national level, where the national administration selects most appropriate measures according to the country's current state. These measures are incorporated in national policies, such as the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification and the National Rural Development Programme. In case of the CAP, agro-environmental subsidies are an instrument to promote soil protection at a national level. Regionally adjusted sub-measures, based on regional environmental characteristics, are then integrated in the Regional Rural Development Programmes of the Spanish Autonomous Communities. The application of subsidies, related to soil protection, is found to be controversial, as studies do not agree upon its effect on soil erosion and land degradation control. To improve decision-making, concepts such as the ecosystem service approach and nature-based solutions are suggested to be included in future policies, as these concepts aim to improve the status of the entire ecosystem in a more holistic manner than is currently the case.

Studies on the Current Stage of the Investments Made for the Development of Storage Capacities of Field Crops Production, Through the Sub-Measure 4.2 of the "National Program for Rural Development 2014-2020", in the South-West Region Oltenia

The National Rural Development Program is a program coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in consultation with the representatives of the organizations, organizations and social partners that have activity in this field and approved after mediations with the European Commission, being structured in measures aimed at supporting and developing rural area in Romania. Sub-measure 4.2. - "Support for investment in the processing / marketing and / or development of agricultural products", falls within measure 4 - Investments in physical assets. This sub-measure aims to improve the competitiveness of primary producers by better integrating them into the agri-food chain through quality schemes, increasing the added value of agricultural products, promoting local markets, short supply circuits, producer groups and interprofessional organizations, facilitating diversification, setting up small businesses, and creating jobs. This study aims to analyse the absorption of European funds in order to modernize the storage capacities, field crops production in the S-W Oltenia Region, in the period 2015-2017, their impact on the local economy. In this paper, it is proposed to follow the dynamics of the financing of projects for the modernization of grain storage capacity by sub-measure 4.2, at the level of the South-West Oltenia Region, which have an eligible value of 8,521,062 €, and the public value is of 4,260,529 €, in relation to nationally funded projects with an eligible value of 105,057,929 €, and the public value of 55,435,303 €.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FARMERS’ MARKETS IN THE HUNGARIAN TRANSDANUBIAN REGION

A farmer’s market, as a type of short supply chain, can solve many problems concerning long- -distance transport. In this sales form, physical distance is reduced between the producer and the consumer. Furthermore, personal relationships and trust can also be established between these two actors. In addition, it provides small producers with the opportunity to produce and sell local, high-quality foods, and consumers are able to enjoy delicious, mostly locally-sourced, organic food products. Farmers’ markets are becoming an increasingly popular sales channel in Hungary. While in 2010 there were 100, in 2014 there were around 200 farmers’ markets; in 2017, their number increased to more than 250. The National Rural Development Programme also encourages the sale of local products in this form. In this paper, a questionnaire survey was conducted among producers in the largest farmers’ markets of the Transdanubian Region in Hungary. The findings were used to analyze the farmers’ market features of the region.