Some 60 farmers from five Romanian counties are now equipped to draft their own business plans and set up or optimise their livestock farms following a 2-day course conducted for the second year running by World Vision in early July.

Farmers learned the basics about income and expenditure, studied a specific case and visited 'Agrovision', World Vision's demonstration dairy farm in Crit, Brasov built and equipped according to the latest European standards. They were also familiarised with the high standard milking installations, the crops surrounding the farm and the professional know-how needed to raise, and feed the cows for optimum results.

'Romanian farmers have to change the way they think in a very short time. Small fields as well as reduced and heterogeneous livestock are no longer viable solutions. They won't be able to keep up the pace unless they become specialised in a certain field. And, of course, unless they coordinate and are able to cultivate larger surfaces and access European and governmental funds', said Danut Daniel, World Vision livestock specialist and trainer.

Eighteen months following Romania's accession into the European Union the majority of the country's farmers still practice subsistence agriculture.

Some 3 million out of 4.5 million rural properties consist of land surfaces smaller than one hectare, according to recent estimates from the National Agricultural Department.

'World Vision is trying to 'professionalise' the role of farmers through these summer courses because the majority are farming without a plan and fundamental theoretical knowledge', explained Mihai Masinistru, World Vision specialist in farm management.

'What I like about 'Agrovision' is that all the activities follow a rigorous order. I understood that everything has to be done in a certain order -starting with the business plan and ending with shelter, grazing and milking. I would like to start things anew, following the business plan studied at Crit', said Veronica Pintilie, World Vision beneficiary from Iasi County.

'This initiative is very important for us. It changes our perspective, especially because we are able to visit a different area of the country, where much more progress has been achieved in raising animals. I feel that a corner stone has been laid: some of us decided to work together and create an association for breeding goats in our community', said Milica Scheuleac from Constanta County.

'This training as well as the opportunity of seeing World Vision's demonstrative farm represents a whole new experience for these farmers. It is possible that some of them have never seen the technology required by a modern farm until now', said trainer Danut Daniel.

'I am really glad that older farmers participated. They proved to have a lot of courage with their determination to change their old ways. I believe each of the trainees will be able to take home a small treasure of knowledge. I saw them smiling and this says everything to me!' added Daniel.

'The benefits of last year's training are now tangible', said Rozica Tita, project coordinator with World Vision. 'One of the beneficiaries used to have two cows and now he has 12. He took heart and started his business professionally, like he saw things happening in the demonstrative farm. With milking machines he now meets all the hygienic conditions and milk quality standards.'

'Agrovision' farm in Crit, Brasov County was built in 2005 with the support of the US 'Bolthouse Foundation' as an Agricultural Consulting and Learning Centre for farmers and it is part of a new 8- year project. The centre has a demonstration dairy farm with 45 cows and meets the highest European standards for farming.

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