Setting up and implementation of sustainable and multifunctional rural development model based on organic and competitive agriculture
Consumers are increasingly demanding organic agricultural products. This creates a new market for agricultural products which are produced in an environmentally-friendly way. Also the Community policy (EC Reg. 1257/97) promotes production methods compatible with the increasing needs of protection and improvement of the environment, natural resources, the soil and genetic diversity, as well as with the need to safeguard natural spaces and landscapes for sustainable agricultural development. Different studies prove that organic farming requires more labour input and triggers processes of diversification for economic activities (such as tourism, services, processing of agricultural products, etc.) that are enhanced by the image of being "natural" which is inherent to the organic farming concept. The main problem SIMOCA has addressed, which can also be considered a new approach, is the lack of a sustainable rural development strategy that can integrate socio-economic, agricultural, cultural and environmental aspects. The project has not only tackled all these aspects, but it has also confronted several additional problems, such as: - Weak competitiveness and environmental-friendliness of agriculture, - Depopulation and sub-urbanisation problems, - Loss of cultural heritage, - Poor diversification of economic activities and weakness in international relationships, - Shortcomings in infrastructures.