Newsletter no. 4 with the activities implemented during
 the period April – July 2014 in the framework of ECO-AGRI project

During the implementation period April 2014 – August 2014, in the frame of  the project “Sharing Collectively the Competences of the Researchers to the Farmers for a Sustainable and Ecological Exploitation of The Agricultural and Environment Protection ECO-AGRI”, there were organized the following events:

• 1 training in Republic of Armenia in April 2014, held by ENPI Partner 2 - Yerevan State University;
• 1 training in Romania in May 2014, held by Project  Beneficiary -Association for the Protection of Human Being and Environment for a Sustainable Development in the World-ECOM;
• 1 training in Turkey in June 2014 held by IPA Partner - Trabzon Exchange Commodity;
• 1 training in Republic of Moldova in July 2014, held by ENPI  Partner 1 - Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences.

I. THE THIRD TRAINING SESSION IN REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

            During 30^th April – 3^rd May 2014 in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia took place THE THIRD TRAINING SESSION IN ARMENIA which was held by 2 Armenian trainers and 1 Moldavian trainer from the Institute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Republic of Moldova. At the event participated 30 farmes from Yerevan.

First day: 30^th April 2014

14:45 -15:15 - Registration of participants

15:15 -15:30 – Opening speech: Mr. Gurgen Aleksanyan, Project Coordinator of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan State University

15:30 -15:40 - Welcome speech: Mr. Lyova Aleksanyan, Director of the regional Centre Agricultural Support of the Armavir region

15:40 -16:10 - Completing the questionnaire of pre-trainings

16:10 -16:50 - Coffee Break

16:50 -17:40 – “The fertilizers and their management mode in Romanian agriculture-ROMANIA. The Use of Organic Fertilizers as an Alternative to the Conventional Fertilizers”, PhD. Karen Ghazaryan, Yerevan State University

17:40 -18:20 - Questions and answers

After the registration of the participants, Mr. Gurgen Aleksanyan, project coordinator from Republic of Armenia, welcomed all the guests and thanked everyone for coming to this important event and congratulated the farmers for their interest shown in the topic of the event – fertilizers and examples of good practice regarding the ecological agriculture.

Mr. Lyova Aleksanyan, director of the regional Centre Agricultural Support of the Armavir region and Mr. Igor Povar from the Institute of Chemistry Academy of Sciences, Republic of Moldova, spoke in the beginning of the event.

After the opening remarks were made, Mr. Gurgen Aleksanyan invited the present farmers to complete the pre training questionnaires.

The presentation of the first training day was made by PhD. Karen Ghazaryan from Yerevan State University, who spoke about the fertilizers and their management mode in Romanian agriculture. Mr. Ghazaryan also told the farmers about the use and the benefits of the organic fertilizers that are an alternative to the conventional ones.

The first day of training ended with a short session of questions and answers.

Second day: 1^st May 2014

13:30-14:00 - Registration of participants

14:00-14:20 – Opening speech: Mr. Gurgen Aleksanyan, Yerevan State University and Prof. Member-corr. ASM Tudor Lupascu, Director of the Institute of Chemistry Academy of Sciences Republic of Moldova

14:20-15:00 – “Study and research in the academic world regarding ecological fertilizers: Organic, inorganic, etc. – TURKEY”, PhD. Karen Ghazaryan, Yerevan State University

15:00-15:45 - Coffee Break

15:45-16:15 – “Alternatıve applıcatıons of organic fertilizers ınstead of chemıcal fertılızersin Moldova”, Prof. Tudor Lupascu,Institute of Chemistry Academy of Sciences Republic of Moldova

16:15-16:45 - Questions and answers

The second day of training begun with an opening speech of Mr. Gurgen Aleksanyan who invited Mr. Prof. Tudor Lupascu from the Institute of Chemistry Academy of Sciences Republic of Moldova to say a few words to the present farmers.

The first presentation of the training day was held by PhD. Karen Ghazaryan who told the participants about the studies and the research that were made in Turkey regarding the ecological fertilizers. He also presented some examples of good practice of ecological agriculture from Turkey.

The second presentation was held by Prof. Tudor Lupascu from theInstitute of Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences Republic of Moldova, who spoke about the organic fertilizers as an alternative to the chemical ones.

The present farmers were very interested in the topic of the presentation and at the end of the training day they had many questions about the organic fertilizers that are used in Turkey and Moldova.

Third day: 2^nd May 2014

11:00 -11:30 - Registration of participants

         11:30 -12:10 – “Study and research in the academic world regarding the use of ecological fertilizers as an alternative to the classical fertilizers - Republic of MOLDOVA”, Prof. Igor Povar, Institute of Chemistry Academy of Sciences Republic of Moldova

         12:10 -12:55 -Coffee break

       12:55-13:40 - “Study and research in the academic world regarding the use of ecological fertilizers as an alternative to the classical fertilizers - ARMENIA”, PhD. Karen Ghazaryan, Yerevan State University

16:40 -17:10 - Questions and answers

In the third day of training Mr. Prof. Igor Povar presented a report about the researches and the studies that were made in Republic of Moldova regarding the use of the ecological fertilizers as an alternative to the classical ones. He also spoke about some examples of good practices in Moldova.

The second presentation was held by PhD. Karen Ghazaryan and it was about the ecological fertilizers used in Armenia and their impact on the Black Sea basin. He also presented some aspects and examples of good practice regarding the ecological agriculture from Armenia.

The training day ended with a short session of questions and answers. The farmers were very impressed with the results obtained after using ecological fertilizers compared to the chemical ones.

Fourth day: 3^rd May 2014

11:00 -11:30 - Registration of participants

11:30 -12:15 – Organic farming experiences in Armenia and in other countries (video clips)

12:15 -13:00 - Coffee Break

13:00 -13:40 - Discussions, consultations and practical advices

13:40 -14:10 – Completing the post- trainings questionnaire

14:10 -15:00 – Presentation of certificates to farmers

During the last of training, the participants watched some videoclips about the organic farming experiences from Armenia and other countries and then there were raised discussions related to the topic of the videos. 

At the end of the discussions, consultations and the practical advices given, the participants were asked to complete the post training questionnaires regarding the training session, trainers and the information received about the ecological agriculture and were handed the certificates for participation at the event.

II. THE FOURTH TRAINING IN ROMANIA

During 24 – 27 May 2014 in the Conference Room of Cumpana City Hall, Constanta County, Romania took place the FOURTH TRAINING IN ROMANIA which was held by 2 Romanian trainers and 1 trainer from Turkey. At the event participated 37 farmers from Romania.

First day: 24^th May 2014

09:30-10:00-Registration of the participants

10:00-10:30 - Completing the pre training questionnaire

10:30–11:30 – Prof. Dr. Ticuţa Negreanu-Pîrjol, Ovidius University, Constanţa

            11:30-12:00 – Coffee break

            12:00-13:00 - Ing. Căpăţână Romeo- SA Agromixt, Agigea, Romania         

13:00- 13:30 – Questions and answers

After the registration of the participants, Ms. Maria Nastac, Project Coordinator and President of ECOM Association, opened the fourth training session by welcoming all the participants for coming. She also thanked the mayor of Cumpana for her support and presence at this last training of the project organized in Romania. Then, she invited the present farmers to complete the pre training questionnaires.

The training session was opened by Mrs. Conf. dr. Ticuţa Negreanu-Pîrjol, our external expert, who thanked everyone for coming to our event and started talking about the fertilization plan that is used in Republic of Moldova as an efficient method for good agricultural practice. She explained to the farmers how to determinate the nitrogen dose and the correct application of the phosphorus fertilizers.

            The second presentation of the day was held by Mr. Eng. Romeo Capatina who spoke about the experiment he made in 2012 on a land   surface on which he cultivated wheat. During this experiment he monitored the changes of the production occurred under the use of an organic fertilizer compared to the use of the classical fertilizers. He explained to the present farmers all the technological steps he had made during this experiment along with details regarding the composition of the organic fertilizer and the chemical ones, the quantities used from each of them, the type of seeds he used and the climatic conditions. Mr. Capatina concluded by saying that the organic fertilizer has beneficial effects for soils (thus avoiding the chemical pollutants that can help increase the poisoning of the sea) and for plants (which grow more vigorous and give a raise of production even in harsh climatic conditions).

            The farmers were very interested in Mr. Capatina’s study case and had many questions about the organic fertilizer he used.

Second day: 25^th May 2014

09:30-10:00 -Registration of the participants

10:00-11:00 - Eng. Căpăţână Romeo, SA Agromixt, Agigea, Romania

            11:00-11:30 – Coffee break

            11:30-12:30 - Prof. Dr. Ticuţa Negreanu-Pîrjol, „Ovidius University”, Constanta, Romania

            12:30-13:30 – Questions and answers          

            During the second day of training, Mr. Eng. Capatina proposed to the participants a free discussion regarding the topic of the training. The farmers were open to this idea and they spoke about the fertilizers they use in their farms and their technological processes they have. Mr. Capatina accentuated the necessity of using ecological fertilizers specifying that after he had made the experiment on his soils he realised that the land crops don’t need any other fertilizer for a long period of time.

In the second part of the training day, Prof. Ticuţa Negreanu-Pîrjol spoke about the prevention measures of the environmental pollution caused by the irrational application of the fertilizers in Republic of Moldova. Thus, the expert presented the main sources of pollution with nitrogen and then spoke about the terms of use for manure and about the specific restrictions on fertilizer application. In the end, Mrs. Prof. told the farmers about the environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

The training day ended with a short session of questions and answers.

Third Day: 26^th May 2014

09:30- 10:00-Registration of the participants

10:00-11:00 – Mr. Prof. Radu Lacatusu, ICPA Bucharest

11:00-11:30 – Coffee break

11:30-12:00 – Ing. Căpăţână Romeo, SA Agromixt, Agigea, Romania.

12:00-13:00 – Mrs. Fatma Sezen Katranci, Member Of Chamber of Agriculture, Trabzon, Turkey

13:00-13:30 – Questions and answers           

The third day of training was opened by Mr. Prof. Radu Lacatusu who spoke with the farmers about the fertilization plan as a good agricultural practice. Thus, he presented the main formulas for obtaining the optimal doses of fertilizer that needs to be used on the bases of agrochemical indices, genetic potential, environmental factors, balance method and never the less, diagrams and tables. Mr. Prof. finished his speech by presenting the methods for obtaining the optimum dose of organic fertilizer that is going to be applied by famers in agriculture.

After the coffee break, Eng. Romeo Capatina presented the material about the cultivation and fertilization technologies of agricultural crops in Armenia. Thus, he spoke about the technology of seedlings process, the technology of cultivation and fertilization the potatoes, wheat, corn, bean and vegetable crops. Following-up, he presented the measures that farmers need to take in order to prevent the environmental pollution caused by the irrational application of fertilizers.

The third presentation of the day was held by Mrs. Fatma Sezen Katranci from Of Chamber of Agriculture, Trabzon, Turkey. In the beginning, she spoke about the management of the agricultural fertilizer application in order to prevent contamination of the drinking water. Then, the trainer presented the available prevention measures that address to the agricultural applications of fertilizers such as: application timing, application rates and methods, conservation tillage, crop rotation, buffer strips and fertilizer storage and handling. Mrs. Fatma Sezen Katranci finished her presentation by telling the farmers about the eco-friendly approaches for a sustainable agriculture.

The participants were very interested in the subjects approached during this training day and there were raised interesting discussions between them and the trainers. Also, the farmers were impressed about the experience of our foreign partners regarding the good practices of the ecological agriculture.

Fourth Day: 27^th May 2014

09:30- 10:00-Registration of the participants

10:00-11:00 - Mrs. Fatma Sezen Katranci, Of Chamber of Agriculture, Trabzon, Turkey

11:00-11:30 – Coffee break

11:30-12:30 – Mr. Prof. Radu Lacatusu- ICPA Bucharest

12:30-13:30 - Conclusions and completing the post training questionnaires

In the last day of training, Mrs. Fatma Sezen Katranci held a presentation about the importance of plant nutrients for the plant production. She explained to the participants the plant nutrition phenomenon and she talked about the essential plant nutrients highlighting their main functions and their deficiency and toxicity symptoms in plants.

The second presentation was sustained by Prof. Radu Lacatusu who spoke about the measures to prevent environmental pollution caused by unreasonable application of fertilizers, concluding that the soil fertilization should be done only in environmental terms. For this, it is necessary to know the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil to be fertilized, then calculated by one of the methods indicated (the fertilized dosing based on agrochemical indices, potential genetic and environmental factors, the calculation of doses of fertilizers by balance method or dosing of fertilizers with diagrams and tables) the fertilizer doses required to achieve higher production in terms of quantity and quality, but without polluting environmental factors (soil, water plants) and without harming the consumers of agricultural products (animals and humans).

The fourth training session ended with a short session of questions and answers. The participants congratulated the organizers for their work, their support and their excellent idea of organizing such training with the theme of agriculture and agricultural pollution.

At the end of the training day, the farmers were asked to complete the post – training questionnaires and were handed the certificates of participation.

III. THE FOURTH TRAINING IN TURKEY

During 23-26 June 2014 in Akçaabat – Körfez Metin Restaurant, Trabzon, Turkey, took place the FOURTH TRAINING IN TURKEY which was held by 2 Turkish trainers and 1 trainer from Romania. At the event participated 30 farmers from Turkey.

First day: 23^rd June 2014

09:30-09:45 - Registering the participants 

09:45-10:00 - Completing the pre-training questionnaires

10:00-10:15 - Opening Remarks Mr. Bekir Şengül, Trabzon Exchange Commodity Member of Board

10:15-10:30 – Opening speech Mrs. Fatma Sezen Katranci, Project Coordinator from Of Chamber of Agriculture, Turkey

10:30-11:30 - “Soil Fertilization under Environmental Protection”, Prof. univ. Dr. emeritus Aurelia Meghea, Romania

11:30-11:45 - Coffee Break

11:45-12:45 - “Soil pollution and environmental impact assessment”, Assistant of Professor Dr. Aslihan Esringü, Faculty of Agriculture Turkey

After the registration of participants, Mr. Bekir Şengül, Trabzon Exchange Commodity Member of Board along with Mrs. Fatma Sezen Katranci, Project Coordinator from Of Chamber of Agriculture opened the training session and thanked all the guests and farmers for coming to the last training held in Turkey and also presented some administrative aspects of the project event.

The first training day was opened by Mrs. Prof. Univ. Dr. Emeritus Aurelia Meghea who begun her presentation by highlighting the importance of working together for environmental protection, as farmers and experts. Following up, she focused on the fertilization plan and the calculation of fertilizer doses through the balance method. Mrs. Prof. also spoke about the measures to prevent the environmental pollution caused by unreasonable application of fertilizers. Mrs. Prof. Meghea finished her presentation by expressing her desire that using a correct fertilizer plan would be good for the whole Black Sea Basin environmental protection.

Assistant of Professor Dr. Aslıhan Esringü from Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture held a presentation about the soil pollution and the environmental impact assessment highlighting the main problems and factors that lead to the environmental pollution. Mrs. Esringü concluded by suggesting the farmers that it is a very good idea to test the soil and get the report that explains the correct amounts of fertilizer that the crop needs. 

            Second day: 24^th June 2014

            09:30-10:00 - Registering the participants

10:00-11:15 - “Agricultural Pollution Effects on Soil”, Professional Agriculture Engineer Ali ÇANKAYA, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock General Directorate of Agricultural, Research and Policy, Central Fisheries Research Institute, Trabzon –Turkey

11:15-11:30 - Coffee Break

11:30-12:45 - “Conventional Agricultural Products in Black Sea Region, food safety and Human Health Effects”, Assistant of Professor Dr. Hilal Yıldız - Gümüşhane University, Department of Food Engineering

12:45-13:15 - Questions and answers

The first presentation of the second day of training was held by Mr. Eng. Ali Çankaya who spoke about the agricultural pollution and the ways to reduce and control it. He spoke about the main agricultural pollutants and how they affect the environment, water and soil. Mr. Çankaya also wanted to make the farmers aware that the agricultural practices they use can pollute the soil and he wanted to make them understand it’s their responsibility to reduce the pollution in their farms.

Assistant of Professor Dr. Hilal Yıldız held the second presentation and she told the farmers about the conventional agricultural products used in the Black Sea region and the effects they have on human health and food safety. Thus, she presented the process of pollution with nitrates explaining how they affect the surface and ground waters, highlighting that excessive accumulation of nitrogen as well as phosphorus, may lead to eutrophication which has adverse impact on algae, fish and, implicit, on human health.

The second day of training ended with a short session of questions and answers.

Third day: 25^th June 2014

09:30-10:00 - Registering the participants

10:00-11:15 - “Agricultural Pollution Effects on Black Sea”,Yrd. Doç. Dr. Coşkun Erüz Ktü, Institute of Science and Fishery Technology

11:15-11:30 - Coffee Break

11:30-12:45 – “Green manure and Environmental Impact assessment”, Dr. Hülya DOĞAN YOZGAT Bozok University

12:45-13:15 - Questions and answers

13:15-14:00 - Lunch

14:00-16:30 - Field work: Akçaabat - Çınarlık Village

The third day of training was opened by Yrd. Doç. Dr. Coşkun Erüz Ktü from the Institute of Science and Fishery Technology, who told the present farmers about the agricultural pollution effect on the Black Sea. He mentioned that pollution, loss of biodiversity and coastal degradation has been identified as the major issues affecting the environmental state of the Black Sea. The eutrophication phenomenon or the over-fertilization of the sea by compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus, largely as a result of pollution from agricultural, domestic and industrial sources is a major trans-boundary pollution issue. Eutrophication has changed the structure of the Black Sea ecosystem. It has been estimated that the six coastal countries contribute about 70% of the total amount of nutrients flowing to the Black Sea as waste from human activities. Some of this amount and nearly all of the remaining 30% (from the countries with no direct access to the sea) enter the Black Sea through the Danube River.

The second presentation was held by Dr. Hülya DOĞAN YOZGAT Bozok University and it was about the green manure and the environmental impact assessment. She explained to the farmers the process of manure application in the soil for different type of crops.

During the second half of the day, all the participants (farmers, experts and project team) went to Çınarlık Village by bus and made field work in order to examine good agriculture practice. Good practice criteria and strawberry field were examined on-site. Farmers were affected by the efficiency indicators of strawberries on annual basis. After that, the training team visited the greenhouse in order to make a study of organic agricultural methods in same village.

The farmers were very excited about the information they received and had many questions for the experts.

Fourth day: 26^th June 2014

09:30-10:00 - Registering the participants

10:00-11:00 - “Good Agricultural Practices”, Trabzon Provincial Agriculture Directorate, Agriculture Professional Engineer Suzan KOL

11:00-11:15 - Coffee Break

11:15-12:30 - “Environmental pollution and Human Health”, Prof. Dr. Sezai Ercişli, Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Turkey

12:30-12:45 - Questions and answers

12:45-14:30 - Conclusions and completion of the post training questionnaires

            During the last day of training were held two presentations. The first one was made by Mrs. Eng. Suzan Kol who spoke with the farmers about the good agricultural practices. She mentioned that for healthy growth, plants depend upon various nutrients, of which nitrogen is needed in the largest quantity. With nitrogenous fertilizers, farmers and growers supply nitrogen to the plants in order to achieve optimum crop yield and sustainable agricultural production. Nitrogenous fertilizers are a very important source of replenishment, they come in an easily quantifiable mineral form and can be applied with precision. Their rate of application should be based on good agricultural practice. The farmer’s own recycled material (manures, slurries, etc.) is evaluated according to its nutrient content. This is done for each nutrient in order to select the appropriate type and quantity of fertilizer. The fertilizer is then applied at the correct rate, at the optimum time, in single or split dressings, and using the appropriate application technique. She also said that weather conditions and crop growth are also taken into consideration.

Prof. Dr. Sezai Ercişli from Ataturk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Turkey, held the second presentation about the environmental pollution and human health, mentioning that one of the greatest problems that the world is facing today is that of environmental pollution, increasing with every passing year and causing grave and irreparable damage to the earth. Environmental pollution consists of five basic types of pollution, namely, air, water, soil, noise and light. Water pollution caused industrial waste products released into lakes, rivers, and other water bodies, has made marine life no longer hospitable. Humans pollute water with large scale disposal of garbage, flowers, ashes and other household waste. In many rural areas one can still find people bathing and cooking in the same water, making it incredibly filthy. Soil pollution, which can also be called soil contamination, is a result of acid rain, polluted water, fertilizers etc., which leads to bad crops. Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released by spill or underground storage tank leakage which releases heavy contaminants into the soil.

The fourth training session ended with a short session of questions and answers. The participants congratulated the organizers for their work, their support and their excellent idea of organizing such training with the theme of agriculture and agricultural pollution.

At the end of the training day, the farmers were asked to complete the post – training questionnaires and were handed the certificates of participation.

IV. THE FOURTH TRAINING IN REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

During 22 – 25 July 2014 in the Conference Room of Speia City Hall, Anenii Noi, Republic of Moldova, took place the FOURTH TRAINING IN MOLDOVA which was held by 2 Moldavian trainers and 1 trainer from Romania. At the event participated 33 farmers from Moldova. 

First day: 22^nd July 2014

10:00 -10:30 – Registering the participants. Completing the pre training questionnaires

10:30 –10:40 – Welcoming word: representants of the Anenii Noi district

10:40 –11:00 – Opening word: Prof. Dr.hab. Igor Povar, Project Coordinator

11:00 -11:30 – Special guests

11:30 -12:00 – Coffee break

12:00 -12:30 – ”The soils of Anenii Noi district. Measures for a rational use, protection and enhancement of fertility”, acad. Serafim Andrieș, Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection ”Nicolae Dimo”

12:30-13:00– Fertilizers and their administration in sustainable agriculture”, Prof. Dr. Emeritus Radu Lacatusu

13:00 -14:00 – Questions and answers

After the registration of the participants, Mr. Igor Povar, project coordinator from Republic of Moldova along with Vladimir Vâzdoagă, President of Anenii Noi district, welcomed all the guests and invited the present farmers to complete the pre training questionnaires.

Acad. Serafim Andrieș, from the Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection ”Nicolae Dimo” opened the training session with a presentation about the soils of Anenii Noi district and the measures for a rational use, protection and enhancement of fertility. Mr. Acad. made a detailed analysis of the Anenii Noi district land fund. He made a short characterization of the main types and subtypes of soil, the soil degradation factors and the areas vulnerable to pollution. Mr. Andries highlighted that it is very important that every agricultural producer from Anenii Noi district to understand the necessity of the correct evaluation and the periodic tracking of the nutrient requirement of the plants based on some realistic forecasts, depending on the local technological conditions, soil, clime and the expected production yield. It was proposed for examination the fertilization plan that is made based on the agro-chemical study. This plan contains: the establishment of nitrogen doses and the application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. The prevention measures for the environment pollution caused by the irrational use of fertilizers contain strict rules for using manure. Environmental friendly agricultural practices proposed were based on the concrete conditions of soil, climate, relief of Anenii Noi district, also including Speia city hall.

The second presentation of the first training day was held by Mr. Prof. Univ. Dr. Emeritus Radu Lacatusu who spoke about the fertilization plan as a good agricultural practice. Thus, he presented the main formulas for obtaining the optimal doses of fertilizer that needs to be used on the bases of agrochemical indices, genetic potential, environmental factors, balance method and never the less, diagrams and tables. Mr. Prof. finished his speech by presenting the methods for obtaining the optimum dose of organic fertilizer that is going to be applied by famers in agriculture.

The training day ended with a short session of questions and answers.

The Second Day: 23^rd July 2014

10:00 -10:30 – Registering the participants

10:30 -11:00 – Special guests (Romania)

11:00–11:30 –”Soil suitability and water for irrigation in Anenii Noi district”, Dr. Vladimir Filipciuc, IPAPS ”N. Dimo”

11:30 -12:00 – Coffee break

12:00 -13:00 – Calitatea apei potabile din Anenii Noi și sănătatea populației”, mem.cor.Tudor Lupașcu. Institute of Chemistry of AȘM

13:00 -14:00 – Questions and answers

The second day of the training session was opened by Dr. Vladimir Filipciuc, from Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection ”Nicolae Dimo” who spoke about the quality of the irrigation water and its effects on the soils from Anenii Noi. During the presentation, Mr. Filipciuc talked about the climatic changes which lead to the intensification of the draught phenomenon highlighting that the appearance of this water deficit in soil and water lead to the decrease of agricultural production or event its compromising. These effects can be seen in the South part of Moldova which includes also Anenii Noi district. In the created conditions, irrigation is the most effective optimizing measure for the soil humidity regime. The main sources of irrigation are cross border rivers (0,4 - 0,6 g/l) and waters of the interior rivers (1, 2,4 g/l). Dr. Vladimir Filipciuc finished his presentation by naming the most important irrigation sources from Anenii Noi district, among them being Nistru, Ișnovăț, Băc and Gura Bâcului lake and Calfa lake. He also proposed some recommendations for the farmers regarding the use of waters from fountains.

Mr. Tudor Lupascu continued the training day with a presentation about the quality of the drinking water from Anenii Noi and its impact on the health of population. Mr. Lupascu highlighted that 75% from the planet surface is made by water, but only 1% of it can be used as drinking water. This rate is already discouraging and it keeps decreasing. Thus, it can be spoken about a crisis of the drinking water, situation that is highlighted by the latest alarming statistics which show that, because of pollution or lack of drinking water, 35.000 people die daily in the world, from which 5.000 are children. If the last century was the oil century, then this definitely is the drinking water century. For maintaining his health and vital functions, an adult has to drink daily 2-3 liters of water, depending on the physical activities and the climatic conditions.

In Anenii Noi district, only 65% of population has an improved drinking water system. 35% of the population from this district uses water from springs and fountains which, unfortunately, are polluted with ions of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites. All these pollutants come from the housekeeping activities and from domestic animals that are raised without respecting the sanitary norms. During his presentation, Mr. Lupascu presented the main water pollutant factors such as intensive agriculture, residual waters, manure deposits, household wastes and also communal residual water. Mr. Tudor Lupascu finished his presentation with a short characterization of the different purifying water installations used as methods for combating the pollution of water with nutrients from agriculture.

The second day of training ended with a short session of questions and answers.

The Third Day: 24^th July 2014

10:00 -10:30 – Registering the participants

10:30 -11:30 – „Ecological agriculture and its importance for the population”, Eng. Alexandru Muntoiu, Constanta, Romania

11:30 -12:00 – Coffee break

12:00 -13:00 -”The pollution of soils and waters with nutrients from agriculture: Measure to combat and prevent”, Dr. Tamara Leah, Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection ”Nicolae Dimo”

13:00 -14:00 – Questions and answers

            During the third training day were held two presentations. The first one was made by Mr. Alexandru Muntoiu from ECOM, Constanta. He spoke with the farmers about the ecological agriculture in Romania and its importance for the population, not only for the Romanian population but also for the Moldavian one. Thus, he mentioned that in the context of the integration of our country into the EU, one of the imposed measures was implementing the ecological agriculture system. Apparently, it is something new and easy to implement, knowing the fact that there are not allowed chemical and synthetical imputs, action we have already respected on many agricultural surfaces. Concerning is the lack of market demand of certified organic products, as well as the reduced purchasing power of consumers, known that the selling price of an organic product will be higher than its counterpart obtained in a conventional system. Thus, the whole quantity of organic agricultural products has to be exported. This depends on the development of the agro alimentary complex that is characterized by:

- increase the accountability of those who practice this type of activity;

- raising awareness and through them;

- offers the opportunity to get the leader on the market.

            Also, regarding the marketing of the agricultural products, the European Commission supports/assists up to 50% to the information and marketing programmes proposed by the professional or inter-professional organizations from the sector, which participate with a minimum of 20% of the real cost of the action, the co-financing being ensured by the state budget according to the legislation in force. The transition from the conventional agriculture to the ecological one is not made suddenly, but through a transition period called “conversion period”. It is the period that the farmers have at their disposal to adapt the management of the farm to organic production rules.

            The second presentation was about the measures to prevent and control the pollution of soils and waters with nutrients from agriculture and it was held by Dr. Tamara Leah from the Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection ”Nicolae Dimo”.

Mrs. Dr. Leah made a brief characterization of the main environmental pollutant sources with nitrates and phosphates. Thus, she spoke about the natural pollution that has natural causes such as inundation, landfall, sedimentary deposits made by wind etc. The most frequent environmental pollutant factors usually come from industry and agriculture. Today, it is accepted that the intensive agriculture leads to soil and water pollution because of the excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water that is unsuitable from the qualitative and quantitative perspective.

Mrs. Dr. Tamara Leah continued her presentation talking about the measures to prevent and control the environment pollution with nitrates, measures that are offered by the Code of good agricultural practice. Modern agriculture is based on the use of fertilizers and it is practical impossible not to exist losings of nutrients in soil and atmosphere. The solution to decrease pollution was offered by the scientifically research that put the bases of the “Code of good agricultural practices”. The agricultural practices define a series of rules that need to be respected and applied along with the technologies and the results should be obtained by respecting the environment and especially the soil. Mrs. Dr. Leah finished her presentation by concluding that some of the measures from the Code should be respected because some of them contain some financial benefits for farmers.  

The third day of training finished with a short session of questions and answers.

The fourth day: 25^th July 2014

10:00 -10:30 – Registering the participants

10:30-11:30 – „Ecological aspects of some replacing methods for the chemical fertilizers”, Prof. dr. hab. Igor Povar, Institute of Chemistry of ASM

11:30 -12:00 – Coffee break

12:00 - 13:00 –”The effects and the consequences of chemical fertilizers on the environment”, Dr.Tamara Leah, Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection ”Nicolae Dimo”

13:00 -14:00 – Completing the post training questionnaires

            The last day of training was opened by Prof. Dr. hab. Igor Povar from the Institute of Chemistry of ASM who talked to the farmers about the methods that can be used to replace the chemical fertilizers. Thus, Mr. Prof. mentioned that one of the main soil pollutants is the use of agrochemicals (mineral fertilizers and pesticides) in agriculture. He highlighted that in Moldova, in the last 10-12 years, the quantity of organic fertilizers introduced into the soil is reduced by 30-40 times and the quantity of the mineral ones is reduced by 15 -20 times.

            Mr. Prof. Povar raised another important problem - pollution of the lands of former chemical points and of soils where were deposited pesticides and fertilizers, especially those that were total or partial demolished. In the last 5 years there were demolished 226 deposits and the ones that remained are degraded, reason why the substances remain under the clear sky. In that areas it was discovered a significant pollution of the land with overruns of the CMA to the contents of soluble salts and nitrates in soil samples collected at a distance of 100 m from the deposit, and the contents of organoclorurate pesticides exceeds CMA for about 3-9 times. Very important is the application of all organic sources of local provenance in order to improve the soil fertility. Organic agriculture is different from the biological one through the exclusive use of organic fertilizers in relatively high doses that are applied in concordance with local specific, with predilection for fertilization of crops and restoration of long-term structural condition of soils degraded by anthropogenic activities, intensive and/or due to natural processes.

The last presentation of the training was made by Dr. Tamara Leah from the Institute of Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soil Protection ”Nicolae Dimo”. She spoke about the toxic effects of nitrates on the human health because; once they arrive in blood, they interact with hemoglobin and block the respiratory function, transforming a part of it in methemoglobin which is not capable to transport oxygen. Mrs. Dr. Leah also specified that 30-40% from methemoglobin attacks the tissues which become deficient in oxygen, which causes the destruction of the central nervous system. If in the blood is formed 15-20% methemoglobin, the human is feeling extenuated and he needs fresh oxygen so that the methemoglobin to retransform into hemoglobin. In the intestines, the nitrates and nitrites can form amino-nitrozes that have a carcinogenic action. For this reason, the systematic use of products that contain nitrates and nitrites can lead to the appearance of stomach cancer. Most of the amino-nitrozes are found in smoked meat and sausages.

            Following-up, Mrs. Dr. Leah raised an important question for the farmers – how can we determine the quantity of nitrates from fruits and vegetables? After hearing all the answers that the farmers had, she explained that the determination of the nitrate content in agricultural production is realized in laboratory: with the help of an indicatory paper (Indam, Nitram) that is coloring at the contact with the cellular juice.

            Mrs. Dr. Tamara Leah finished her presentation with some practical advices regarding the prevention of pollution with nitrates of vegetables, fruits and drinking water.

The fourth training session ended with a short session of questions and answers. The participants congratulated the organizers for their work, their support and their excellent idea of organizing such training with the theme of agriculture and agricultural pollution.

At the end of the training day, the farmers were asked to complete the post – training questionnaires and were handed the certificates of participation.

During the implementation period April - July 2014 all the organized events were a real success and all the participants were very interested and excited about the theme and the topics approached. They congratulated the organizers for their work, their support and their excellent idea of organizing such trainings with the theme of agriculture and agricultural pollution.