Could Lavender Farming Go from a Niche Crop to a Suitable Solution for Romanian Small Farms?

Iuliana Vijulie, Ana-Irina Lequeux-Dincă, Mihaela Preda, Alina Mareci and Elena Matei
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Iuliana Vijulie: Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 1. Blv. Nicolae Balcescu, 010041 Bucharest, Romania
Ana-Irina Lequeux-Dincă: Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 1. Blv. Nicolae Balcescu, 010041 Bucharest, Romania
Mihaela Preda: Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 1. Blv. Nicolae Balcescu, 010041 Bucharest, Romania
Alina Mareci: Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 1. Blv. Nicolae Balcescu, 010041 Bucharest, Romania
Elena Matei: Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, 1. Blv. Nicolae Balcescu, 010041 Bucharest, Romania

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 5, 1-31

Abstract: Lavender crops have had an impressive continuous development in recent years, being currently a suitable alternative to other traditional crops because they can yield a high profit per hectare. This can be especially useful in Romania, with its high prevalence of subsistence and semi-subsistence farms. This study aims to analyse the issue of small emergent lavender farms in the context of the current Romanian agricultural background, including the framework mechanisms for implementing the Common Agricultural Policy at a national level. The research uses the qualitative survey method to provide broad, synthetic, analytical insights into small lavender farms/businesses in Romania, considering the perspective of the following two target groups: farm owners and civil servants with agricultural expertise. The main results show that both sample groups agree that lavender farms can be successful and satisfactory solutions. Increasing participation in information and training sessions may improve farmers’ access to financing mechanisms, but both small farmers and civil servants with agricultural expertise identify a series of problems, mainly regarding the absence of a dedicated market for lavender-based products and a lack of labour force, both essential for maintaining the farming–processing–commercialising chain. The authors also conclude that a more flexible and future harmonisation between Romania’s agricultural realities, the Common Agricultural Policy, and the National Rural Development Programme would improve lavender farming’s social and economic impact. Follow-up research may envisage more in-depth market analyses for this emerging sector in Romania, facing obvious competition, but which could also benefit from good practice exchanges in the region.

Keywords: small farmers; lavender farms; barriers; civil servants with agricultural expertise; perception; tourism; Romania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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