Swine Breeding in the Villages of Vâlcea County, Oltenia (Romania)—Tradition or Necessity?

Abstract

Food supply has been a constant source of concern for mankind. In the present context, with food security a priority of European and national policies, an analysis of pig farming in a representative NUTS2 administrative level of Romania that emphasizes the proportion of households raising at least one pig and the main factors influencing farmers to adopt or give up swine breeding could allow a much clearer understanding of this phenomenon that lies at the border between cultural tradition and socio-economic necessity. This study uses mixed methods that complement each another to help reveal this complex phenomenon in the analyzed territory. Cluster analysis shows the concentration of swine breeding and maps its spread in terms of both subsistence and larger farms, and qualitative interviews prove the motivation of farmers to continue in this occupation. As a primary result, the study visualizes the spatial distribution of pig farming in the rural environment of Vâlcea county, Romania, from a diachronic perspective in the post-communist period. It also reveals areas of differing concentrations of both very small-sized farms, which prioritize meeting their own food needs, and larger farms, which prioritize commercial production to supplement their revenue streams. Both categories, but particularly the latter, are of particular interest in a period in which the socio-economic environment after 1990—marked by economic restructuring, unemployment, population migration, the economic crisis of 2008–2010, the pandemic of 2020–2021, and the most recent energy crisis—periodically highlights the importance of rural areas in ensuring food security and sufficiency at both the local and regional levels.

Authentic Romanian Gastronomy—A Landmark of Bucharest’s City Center

“…Local consumers are attracted by traditional themed restaurants that advertise the origins and authenticity of their products, appealing to consumers' emotions, familiar memories, and nostalgic feelings [57][58][59]. Studies have shown that autochthonous consumers prefer familiar dishes and are ethnocentric in their support for authentic products [60], as also demonstrated by dietary behavior maintaining large-scale subsistence family farming in Romania [61] and Bucharest foodies in search of multisensory experiences in venues around the Romanian capital city [62]. Both locals and tourists feel the need to connect with local food and to be informed of its provenance, considered a distinctive characteristic of gastronomic products [63].…”

Analysis of the Nexus between Structural and Climate Changes in EU Pig Farming

“…This literature review allows the author to state that a substantial share of recent academic contributions on structural changes in pig farming covers socioeconomic aspects and comes from countries that joined the EU in 2004 and later. These MSs have faced the unprecedented evolution of the national livestock sector (for example, see [6][7][8][9][10][11]). The strong focus on environmental concerns and climate change mitigation arises from the pre-2004 MSs because most of these MSs have developed a highly concentrated production system and provide remarkable contributions to GHGEs due to EU pig farming.…”

Agricultural Citizen Science and Sustainable Regional Development

“…[1, 3,4] whereby it contributes to an integrated development in a regional rural economy, through interconnections with other sectors of economic activity [5][6][7][8] and by reducing poverty levels [3]. The impact of agriculture on the socio-cultural aspects is also recognized-i.e., the influence of farming practices on the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the area and their local culture [1, 7,9,10]. Furthermore, agriculture represents more than a practical economic activity in rural environments; it is considered a way of living, knowing, and creating a distinct region from the urban areas.…”

“…Furthermore, agriculture represents more than a practical economic activity in rural environments; it is considered a way of living, knowing, and creating a distinct region from the urban areas. Thus, farmers are considered holders of knowledge and guardians of traditional practices and natural and cultural heritage in the countryside [1,10]. However, at the same time, agriculture has a strong impact on the environment, resulting from strong impact on the environment, which occurs because of the intensification and expansion of agricultural lands [1,7,11,12].…”

“…The articles included in this volume are focused on the contribution of agriculture [10,12,14] and human capital [14,19] on sustainable regional development. Additionally, another theme addressed is focused on the analysis of the interconnections of agriculture with other sectors of economic growth that generate multiple positive impacts on regional development [8].…”