CROSSBORDER RURAL DEVELOPMENT

A CHANCE FOR FUTURE

OVERALL STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF  RURAL AREAS IN CROSS-BORDER REGION

GIURGIU – ROUSE

  1.    PROFILE OF RURAL AREAS IN GIURGIU COUNTY AND   ROUSSE DISTRICT

 Ø    Major characteristics of Giurgiu county

The Giurgiu county is situated in the south part of the country, as part of big geographical unit named Romanian Plain, with an area of 3526 square km, and in the south upon a length of  72 km the Danube river separates from Bulgaria.

With a view to the territorial-administration the Giurgiu county has a  Giurgiu Municipality – the residence, Bolintin Vale town, Mihăileşti town and 51  communes with 166 villages.

The Giurgiu county has a stable population of 288.497 inhabitants, out of which 69% are from rural areas.

In the county economy, there are one regie autonome, 6339 private trading companies, 128 both foreign and romanian capital, 150 foreign-owned and 100 both state and private capital. The private entrepreneur number is 4182, out of which 1432 family associations and 2750 authorized persons.

The agriculture constituted one of the most ancient occupations of the inhabitants from this country part.

The agricultural land represent 78,6% of the county area, out of which 259.642 ha ara land, 8.890 ha pasture, 7.599 ha vineyard and 1.004 ha orchard.

The rest land, 21,4 % of the county area, consist of 38.106 ha wood, 15.078 ha water, 6.950 ha roads, 14.102 ha courts-constructions and 1.231 ha unproductive land.

 The area to irrigate is 170.106 ha, representing 61,4% of agricultural area.

The tourism. Although a plain region Giurgiu county has important and varied touristic potential yet.

          The wood Comana - Vlad Ţepeş near the pond Comana,  with his various species is an important touristic point.

          At Călugăreni, historical locality, on visit the bridge across river Neajlov, testimony of the fight of the voievode Michael the Brave against the Turkish invaders (1595).

          The most important monument of this zone is Comana Monastery, built by  Vlad Ţepeş in 1462 and remaked by Radu Şerban Basarab in 1588-1589.

          At Herăşti is placed a beautiful palace named “Stone house” built by Udrişte Năsturel in the XVIII centurie.

 Ø    Major characteristics of Rousse District.

Rousse District is situated in the central part of North Bulgaria, between the River Danube in the North (Pan-European Corridor N7, on the border with Romania), Veliko Turnovo District in the West, Targovishte District in the South, Razgrad and Silistra Districts in the East. European Corridor N 9 from Finland to Greece crosses the territory of most of the municipalities in the district. Its total territory  is 2 784 square metres (i.e. 2.5 % from the total territory of Bulgaria). It consists of 83 settlements included in 8 municipalities, one of them being Rousse Municipality with a population of 184 000 people. Five of the municipalities are Byala, Ivanovo, Vetovo, Slivo Pole and Dve Mogili  where the population varies from 10 to 20 000 inhabitants and the last two are Borovo and Tsenovo , each with a population of  less than 10 000 people.

The total population of the district amounting to 267 600 inhabitants (approx. 3.35% of the total population of  Bulgaria) according to the 2001 Population Census  has experienced a steady decline by  7,4%. Compared to the statistical data in the 1992 Population Census this figure is above the average population decline for the country ( 6.1%) .

About 17% of the population are below employment age, and 58% - at employment age. The number of old-age pensioners is high and amounts to 25% of the total population of Rousse District. In the rural areas it goes up to 38%. The rate of population growth in the rural areas has reached negative values due to the loss of population by migration from rural to urban areas.

There exists comparatively large disproportion in economic & social  conditions among municipalities of Rousse District. Rousse and Ivanovo municipalities are steadily growing regions, whilst  Tsenovo, Borovo, Dve Mogili and Slivo Pole are underdeveloped rural areas.

 Ø    Conditions and major problems of the agriculture and rural areas in Giurgiu county

The Giurgiu County, is situated in the Plain of Danube, is keeped the agricultural predominant character along the time, though the Giurgiu port, his tradiţional rezidence, has known  for a while a forced industrialization process that is concentrated important groups of rural population in urban perimeter.

The phenomenon of rural depopulation hod negative consequences for both zones of habitate:

-         the urban zone has subunietted a stong pressure of rural population.

-         -the rural zone had a demographic decline, remaining empty as wel of qualitative genetic element.

The County being situated in close proximity of Bucharest, a representative segment of those that is obtained skills has migrated by city, for a better life.

Thanks the deep changes interfered in agricultural sector after 1990, and the agriculture of county is obtained a extensive character, of subsistence.

As follow the excessive crumbleing of agricultural exploitations and a agricultural row materials tender is increased the  agricultural of individual producess inclination al exhaust oneself, but the capaciteies of processing from food industry is remanied unused, its being sized for the bigger suppliers of agricultural raw materials.

The reduced degree of the procesing capacities used made bigger costs per end-product and together with the severe decreasing of internal food products tender, aspect that is transformed in main obstacole factor of increased production relannching and of performance in this sector.

Among other identification watters in regions are:

-underdeveloped infrastructure of county (three territorial-administrative units has centralised water supplies, other seven are in reception phase, lack of sewerage network in rural area, unmodernized road);

-social watters (lack of civil society, lack of educational health services)

          -decreased opportunities of bussiness;

-         lack of local strategy;

-         inefficient agriculture (small farms, unfunctional commodity market, the probleme of ground give back, unfunctional irrigation system, low price of agricultural products, difficult access-at credit, uncompetitive bussiness environment.

 Ø    Conditions and major problems of the agriculture and rural areas in Rousse district

Agriculture is of ultimate importance for the economy of Rousse District. In terms of arable land distribution per head the district is among the first ten regions in the country. Land was restored to its former owners but the land market is still in an embryonic state. Approximately 70% of the arable land is cultivated by cooperative farms. The rest 30% of the land is cultivated by large land rentner companies or by private farmers who own the land. The average size of rented land varies between 700 or 800 hectares per one farm. The amount of land owned by private farmers varies between 7 and 8 hectares, thus farmers often resort to renting additional land plots in order to secure their businesses.

Over 50% of the arable land is used for production of grain crops (mainly wheat, maize and barley). The yields in these crops exceed the average rate for the country. At present the share of maize production is almost equal to that of wheat and barley. The share of industrial crops (mainly sunflower) is fairly high and exceeds that of grain crops.

The major problems of agriculture in Rousse District are linked with the lack of markets, the inefficient connections with the food processing industry, the lack of investment in irrigation and agricultural machinery. The rising amount of uncultivated land plots (9% - 10% of all cultivated land) is not less worrying.

The existence of four less developed rural municipalities (out of 75 for the whole country) is another serious problem for Rousse District. The population of these underdeveloped rural municipalities (Tsenovo, Borovo, Dve Mogili and Slivo Pole) amounts to 82% of the rural population in the district. [1]

   The number of unemployed people in the rural areas of Rousse district amounts about 43 % of the whole figure for the district, i.e. it is 77 % more than the average for Bulgaria. The level of unemployment in fourth less developed rural municipalities varies from 27 % to 31 %.  This is due the disproportion between the employability of the district center economy (where 85 % of the industry & service sector is situated) and the rural areas in the periphery. Also Slivo Pole, Vetovo, Dve Mogili and Tsenovo are classified as municipalities with low index of human development.

Because of above shown reasons, there is very clear trend for migration of the “rural” population to the district center. The rural areas also are characterysed by  a very low level of birth rate – only 6,8 per 1000 inhabitants of rural areas.

 The basic infrastructure in the rural areas of Rousse district is relatively well developed. Unfortunately there is need for maintaining the road net, especially in the areas with potential for cultural and rural tourism. Relative low is also the phone network density in the rural municipalities.

2. VISION, Goals and strategy for development of rural areas IN GIURGIU COUNTY AND Rousse District

 2.1. Programming framework of rural areas development

Among the EU objectives concerning agriculture policy there are:

-         competitive agriculture (abandonment of guaranteed prices)

-         integrated rural development (new income possibilities and new jobs)

-         assistance by structural integrated funds for dezavantaged EU regions (named “objective 1” regions).

The drawing up of  the approach strategy must to allow the all candidate

countries the adoption of community law framework and the acceleration of acquis alignment. Concomitlantly with the european agreement, must to close the individual accesion partnerships and to intensify the community funds. Accesion partnerships contains priorities, principles and objectives.

The experience in the EU and the features of  two region rural areas allow the formulation of following key principles of national rural development policy:

Ø     integrating the development approach: seeking an overall invigoration of rural economy, society, infrastructure, nature and culture; helping productive forces diversify and adapt, especially in less developed areas; creating conditions for offering goods and services using rural intellectual and crafts skills; encouraging development of micro and small enterprises;

Ø     fostering positive rural values: family traditions; strengthening local identity; retaining rural regions’ cultural and historical peculiarities;

Ø     applying sustainable development best practice, i.e. amalgam of principles including the rational and sustainable use of natural resources;

Taking in consideration above issues, the National Agriculture and Rural Areas Development Plans formulates the priority thus:

Integrated rural areas development aiming to preserve and strengthen

their economies and help limit depopulation.

Key resolution measures, of attaining balanced and sustainable development, include:

-         restructuring the economy in favour of light (foods) industry, developing local crafts, etc.;

-         increasing the scope of small business activities in village communities;

-         agricultural product developments-reviving strategically important endeavours like vineyards, herbs, market gardening, silkworm farming, attar rose harvesting, berry gardening, etc

-         human resource training.

-   invigorating and developing villages and protecting rural areas’ natural heritage; developing and improving rural infrastructure, etc.

 2.2. SWOT – analysis of rural areas in Giurgiu county and Rousse district

     2.3. Purpose, priorities, strategic framework and measures for sustainable development of        rural areas

The main goal for development of rural areas is: “TO INCREASE THE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WELFARE BY SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ACCORDANCE TO NATURE CAPITAL SO TO GUARANTEE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE NEXT GENERATIONS”.

The potential of the rural areas in Giurgiu county and Rousse district for diversification of the economic activities in agriculture is relative good. The soil-climate conditions, as well as irrigation opportunities in most of the rural localities are favorable for agricultural products. The nature in the localities of Giurgiu, Comana, Greaca, Herasti, Slivo pole, Tcenovo, Borovo and Dve Mogili offers good opportunities for development of rural tourism.

- Priorities in rural areas development  

Main priority of the rural areas development is to support the process of diversification of agriculture via including alternative rural businesses & activities. 

          Human resources development and especially the establishment and strengthening of initiative groups and NGO’s for rural areas development is second priority for rural areas. The aim is to promote and implement activities for vocational training of young people. 

          Third priority, is the rehabilitation of  infrastructure for strengthening rural communities economic and social fabric.

- Strategic framework matrix

The programme strategy provides the link between the SWOT,priorities and measures. In doing so it shows how the issues emerging from the SWOT will be addressed and how the overall development objectives will be achieved through a number of sub-programmes and measures.

The SWOT gives the rationale for rural areas development.

Articulating that further formulates a set of strategic objectives that are:

The programme objectives link into the strategic aims, which are summarized below:

- Measures for implementing the strategy for sustainable rural  development

Measures are the mean by which a priority is implemented.

Measures for development of rural areas have the character of organizational activities necessary for using the opportunities for financing under SAPARD Programme. Specific measures for the planning period are:

1. Development and spreading of environmentally friendly agricultural practices, of  diversified rural activities providing alternative income and employment.

2. Long term planning of the process for support of vocational training and re-qulification of the labor force in rural areas in accordance to the guidelines for restructuring and diversification of economic activities in agriculture.

3. Encouraging and supporting the establishment and organizational strengthening of NGO’  for rural areas development.

     4. Maintaining and improving the road infrastructure between the settlements in

Giurgiu county and Rousse district.

5.     Renovation and preserving activities for the rural heritage and cultural traditions in localities of Giurgiu, Comana, Herasti, Slivo Pole, Ivanovo, Dve Mogli, Borovo and Tcenovo. 

 3.    RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN CROSS-BORDER REGION GIURGIU-ROUSSE

The transposed of agricultural policy of European Union to new member states could made also a bigger sharpening of problems in connection with structural surpluses of varied agricultural products.

On the other hand it exist better views concerning food exports. The increasing of tender could become a new chance for european agriculture and for its high quality products are competitive and are possibilities for export without subventions.

Agriculture and forestry, in future must be preoccupied more activities linked of environment protection; the society wishing than the poples recover the landscapes and natural framework affected by pernicious human activities, the viable rural spaces to be keeped and protected.

Thus it must be fpound ther resources of incomes.

As part of the negociations for adhesion not exist none conquerror, none vanquished; everybody must be finding place it.

The countries that will become integrated part of European union will bring the Community forces and weaknesses its.

The development of strenghts as the elimination of weaknesses make up the proposals for the adhesion preparing and for the present community policies reform.