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The study aimed to set up a review of the scientific literature concerning the circular economy, called to become a viable alternative to the linear "take-make-dispose" approach and assure sustainability. It synthesizes, in a logical order, the main aspects regarding the circular economy versus linear economy and has a critical approach comparatively pointing out the benefits and restrains. The two economic models are illustrated in schemas in such a way to clearly distinguish the difference in their objectives, principles and benefits. Also, the study presents the key policies and initiatives of the circular economy, highlighting the EU's commitment and the metrics for measuring the circularity. Regarding the circular agriculture, it is emphasized the efficiency in resource use, recycling, and waste reduction, closed nutrient loops, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, food production and consumption, and the creation of economic value. Circular agriculture practices such as agroforestry, crop rotation, composting organic farming, and regenerative agriculture are also presented. Circularity in agriculture should cease to be seen merely as a concept, it should be considered a necessity for building a sustainable and resilient economy of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents SWOT analysis of beekeeping in Romania using various results in scientific research and author's critical opinion on the past, present and future of this important sector of agriculture. The paper is based on the data from the National Institute of Statistics and on the study of many published articles closely connected with the topic. The results emphasized that Romania has a long tradition in apiculture, favourable conditions for Apis mellifera carpatica, for pickings in a large range of wild and cultivated flora, good pastoral areas, technological solutions for bee growing and breeding, a high number of bee families and apiarists, a high quality honey production and a potential for organic honey. Romania is facing with a small apiary size, a low honey yield, a weak beekeepers organization in associations, a various apiarists' training level, a non sufficient number of honey collecting centres and brands, and with fake honey. The existence of Apimondia, Apiculturits' Association in Romania, Research and Development Institute, the legislative framework, the EU and National programes for beekeeping development are a guarantee that apiculture will continue to develop in the future. The low internal consumption and the increased demand in the EU as well as the numerous rural population could encourage the business in the field of beekeeping for increasing export and trade balance, the income and living standard in the rural areas. But, the increased price of apiary inputs, the low acquisition price of honey, the severe competition in the EU market between producers and exporters, honey imports from China at dumping prices, climate change and bees diseases are threats which could affect beekeeping in Romania. For increasing productivity and competitiveness of beekeeping, apiarists should apply for financial aids offered by the EU and Romanian Government to grow the number of bee families over 150, to intensify pickings in pastoral, to increase honey production and its quality, to extend organic honey production, to diversify production and develop more local brands, to export a higher honey amount at a better price in the EU and assure a high efficiency along the honey chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed the tourism indicators in the Brasov County in terms of tourist inflow and accommodation capacity pointing out the importance of agro-tourist and tourist guesthouses in the period 2007-2016, based on the empirical data provided by the National Institute of Statistics and also estimated the forecast for 2017-2021 horizon. The tourism indicators was calculated according their formulas, and their dynamics was assessed using the index method and average growth rate. The tourism offer in the Brasov County registered a high development in terms of accommodation capacity. In 2017, there were 955 tourist accommodation units, of which 69.73 % guesthouse and 29,811 places, of which 65.02 % in guesthouses. The number of places in agro-tourist guesthouses had a higher dynamics than in the tourist guesthouses. The tourist inflow doubled its figure in 2016, accounting for 1,114,395 visitors in 2016, of which 83.07 % were Romanian tourists. The number of Romanian visitors increased more than 2 times, while the number of foreigners by 71.4 %. Of the total number of visitors, 26.51 % were accommodated in guesthouses. The number of visitors accommodated in agro-tourist guesthouses was 2.58 times higher in agrotourist guesthouses and 2 times higher in tourist guesthouses. The overnight stays recorded an ascending trend, accounting for 2,213,002 in the year 2016, of which 12.89 % in agro-tourist guesthouses and 14.15 % in tourist guesthouses. About 85 % of overnight stays in guesthouses belong to the Romanian tourists. The length of stay has declined to 1.98 days at the county level, but a little highe 2.13 days in agro-tourist guesthouses. The tourism density doubled its figure, accounting for 2.02 tourist/inhabitant. The occupancy rate was in average 21.40 % at the county level, but lower in the guesthouses. Tourism will continue its development in the Brasov County, and in 2021, it was expected to receive 1.43 million tourists, by 27.7 % more than in 2016, and the accommodation capacity to reach 36,683 places. The Brasov county is an example of high quality tourism, an area where guesthouses play an important role in the tourism market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the main trends in tourism in Cluj-Napoca and the Cluj County in the period 2007- 2016 based on the empirical data provided by the National Institute of Statistics and the Statistical Division of the Cluj County. Tourism offer was briefly presented in terms of natural, historical and cultural patrimony, and also in terms of accommodation capacity (number of units and places) in its dynamics and correlation with the tourism demand, in terms of number of tourists arrivals and overnight stays. The data have been processed using index method, statistical parameters, Pearson correlation coefficients, linear regression models and the Excel facilities. In 2016, in Cluj-Napoca there were by 81.9% more units of tourist accommodation and by 74% more places, while at the county level, there were by 35% more units and by 20% more places. More exactly, in 2016, the offer of places was 6,216 in Cluj-Napoca and 8,450 places in the county. In the same period, the tourist arrivals increased by 42% in Cluj-Napoca and by 44% in the county. The number of overnight stays also increased by 34% and, respectively 33%. In 2016, Cluj-Napoca was visited by 371,505 tourists meaning 1.15 tourists/inhabitant, while the county registered 498,500 visitors, meaning 0.69 tourists/capita. The number of overnight stays accounted for 704,921 in Cluj-Napoca and 952,900 in the county. The regression linear models proved that the variation of the number of places has a low effect on the number of arrivals and overnight stays both in the city of residence and in the county. But a strong relationship is between the number of arrivals and overnight stays, (r= 0.990). As a final conclusion, the higher and higher number of Romanian and foreign visitors in Cluj-Napoca and the county of Cluj is explained by the diversified offer in terms of natural, historical and cultural patrimony, accommodation units and places, hospitality, high quality services which reflect a good tourism management and marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper has the purpose to analyze the trends in the animal production in Romania. The empirical data were collected from the National Institute of Statistics for the period 2007-2016. Using the trend method, and indices method, it was presented the evolution of animal production value, and it share in the value of agricultural production, livestock by species, animal production: meat, milk, eggs, honey, the position of Romania in the EU-28 livestock and animal production, average consumption of animal products per inhabitant, price at farm gate and basic prices for products of animal origin, average acquisition prices for animal products and average price of animal products in the agro-food market. Animal production value declined by 30 % accounting for Lei 23.8 billion in 2016, with a share of 33.8 % in the value of agricultural production. The livestock declined in case of bovines, pigs and poultry, but increased in case of sheep, goats and bee families. The quantitative animal production decreased regarding total live weight at slaughter in case of bovines and pigs, it increased in case of poultry and remained stable in case of sheep and goats. Milk production declined, egg production remained stable and honey production increased. While meat production had a slight increase per inhabitant, meat consumption declined. Both milk production per inhabitant and milk consumption decreased. Both producer price at farm gate and the basic price for the products of animal origin registered a growth in the analyzed period, they are not enough high to cover production costs mainly in dairy and pig farms, despite of the allotted subsidies. This situation reflected a descending trend in animal production with a negative impact on the farmers' income, market offer, demand/offer ratio. Romania is not competitive in the sector of animal production with other EU countries and remains a net importing country of animal products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to analyze the trends in animal production in Romania and identify its position among the EU countries and make a few recommendations to improve the statement of the sector. Animal production declined both at the EU level and in Romania. The livestock decline in cattle and pigs resulted in meat and milk production as well as consumption declined. Poultry meat and mutton and goat meat as well as honey production increased. Food consumption and self sufficiency rate are still lower compared to the EU average and their level in the most important producing countries of products of animal origin. The achievements in animal production in Romania are below its potential to produce meat and milk and food security could not be assured to the population. A clear strategy and important measures are needed to increase milk and meat production: a higher forage production, a balanced feeding to animals, the use of high breeding value animals, the implementation of modern technologies, a high training level to farmers and units managers, a higher productivity and product quality, as well as farm competitiveness, creation of associative forms. A sustainable agriculture and mainly animal production could be developed only in intensive farm systems, but also in the mountain and hilly areas by small farms which could use the pastures and meadows. As a final conclusion, the future strategy must pay more attention to animal production and create a balance with crop production. Otherwise, Romania's agro-food market will always depend on imports, affecting local producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation agriculture is an alternative to conventional agriculture and one of the most efficient systems for sustainable agricultural development, stimulating soil biological activity, increasing organic matter and humus content. In order to evaluate the impact of the conservation agriculture system compared to the conventional agriculture system on wheat yield, a bi-factorial experiment on wheat crop based on split-plot model was organized in the Transylvania Plain, Romania, where there are a few research results in the field and the area has a high potential for the implementation of conservation agriculture system. First factor ('A') was agriculture system, having two levels: 'A1' tillage (classic) system and 'A2' no-tillage system, and the second, 'B' factor was fertilization, with three levels: 'B1' no fertilization, 'B2'-N80 P40 kg/ha, which is the average level practiced by farmers in the area and 'B3'- N150 P75 kg/ha, which is the recommended level for obtaining a high production performance specific to 'Ariesan' wheat cultivar used in this experiment. The results pointed out that, in comparison with conventional agriculture, the application of no-tillage system determined a lower wheat yield by 353 kg per surface unit. Fertilization assured a significant increase by 610 kg wheat grains per ha. In the case of the conservation agriculture system, the highest production gain was 1,260 kg/ha for 'B3A2' level compared to 'B1A2' level, where the highest fertilization level was applied. The lowest production gain was 410 kg/ha registered by 'B3A1-B1A1' which was the highest fertilizer dose in case of conventional agriculture. In conclusion, the application of no-tillage system increased the efficiency of fertilization in terms of wheat yield compared to the classical agriculture. As a result, it is recommended as farmers dealing with wheat cropping in the area and also in other regions with similar soil and climate conditions to implement conservation agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper intends to raise awareness on some new fund raising models for research and development. The models focus on philanthropy, seen as a promising funding resource, an alternative to the state funding schemes used in the European Research Area. It is our belief that by using such fund raising models the public private partnerships would gain importance in the common research area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]