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Romanian Farmers’ Markets: Understanding the Environmental Attitudes of Farmers as an Instrument for Bioeconomy Development

Author

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  • John M. Polimeni

    (Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, NY 12208, USA)

  • Raluca I. Iorgulescu

    (Institute for Economic Forecasting, Romanian Academy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Lucian Liviu Albu

    (Institute for Economic Forecasting, Romanian Academy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Andrei Ionica

    (Dipartimento di Economia, Universita degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy)

Abstract

Farmers’ markets are vital income sources for many farmers. Farmers’ markets are a direct-to-consumer marketing approach that has existed for centuries, enabling urban dwellers to interact with farmers while shopping for produce and products. In Romania, the piaţa is their version of a farmers’ market. The focus on environmental sustainability within the European Union provides an opportunity for Romanian farmers using sustainable approaches to sell their products. Therefore, understanding the attitudes of farmers selling at farmers’ markets is important to the development of the agricultural sector and the bioeconomy. Furthermore, having knowledge of farmer attitudes enables policy to be developed to encourage the development of sustainable agricultural techniques. The results of this paper indicate that there is a disconnect between the beliefs and attitudes farmers have about the environment and their agricultural practices under various scenarios. Additionally, agricultural training that includes sustainable agricultural techniques and education on the economic benefits of using them would be beneficial. Lastly, the results suggest that a farmer that feels part of the community is more likely to be a steward of the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • John M. Polimeni & Raluca I. Iorgulescu & Lucian Liviu Albu & Andrei Ionica, 2022. "Romanian Farmers’ Markets: Understanding the Environmental Attitudes of Farmers as an Instrument for Bioeconomy Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11553-:d:915401
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Emilia Mary Balan & Cristina Georgiana Zeldea, 2023. "Bioeconomy in Romania: Investigating Farmers’ Knowledge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-29, May.
    2. Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa & Amalia Niță & Mirela Mazilu & Gheorghe Curcan, 2023. "Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Trends of Major Agricultural Crops in Romania Using Interactive Geographic Information System Mapping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-25, October.

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