Inclusion of small producers in the food chain

The case of Romania

Country context

• Scheduled for accession to the EU in January 2007

• Agriculture employs 44% of the total labor force

• Utilized agricultural area is 62% of the total area

• Agriculture accounted for only 13% of GDP in 2000

Government strategy and World Bank response

• …to create a competitive and efficient national agricultural sector that is in compliance with EU requirements

• CAS 2002-2004: increased research and extension aimed at integrating small households into commodity and input markets

• MAKIS: improve the competitiveness of farmers and agro-processors in the EU accession environment

Project structure

TIC Research

Advisory Services

Food Safety Agency

Agro-processors

Farmers

Training and Information Center (TIC)

• Gather knowledge on agricultural technologies to meet farmers needs and EU requirements

• Develop relevant extension packages and training modules

• Train extension agents and provide accreditation• Train food safety inspectors• Train researchers for integration in the European

Research Area• Develop and implement an integrated IT system

Research

• Establish two national reference laboratories for:– EU nitrates and sludge directives

– Testing for the presence of GMOs

• Reform program for core public research services:– Safe plant nutrient management practices

– Producing authentic virus-free materials for horticultural and vegetable crops

– Field crops research program for plain and upland areas

– Safe animal nutrition and feeding systems

Advisory services / extension

• Improving the existing public advisory system

• Contract extension activities

Food Safety Agency

• Institutional capacity building• National reference laboratories: for

veterinary hygiene and public health; and analysis of animal feeding stuffs

• Regional laboratories• Border Inspection Points• Animal welfare – demonstration and

training facility