Violeta TURCUȘ 1,2, Paul ALBU 1,2, Dorina CACHIȚĂ‐COSMA 2, Gicu‐Gabriel ARSENE 3, Viviane Beatrice BOTA 1,2,4
1 Department of Environment, Climate Change and Mountain Legislation, National Institute of Economic Research “Costin C. Kirițescu”/Centre of Mountain Economy CE-MONT, Petreni no. 49, 725700, Vatra Dornei, Romania
2 Department of Biology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. ”Vasile Goldiș” Western University of Arad, Liviu Rebreanu no. 86, 310414, Arad, Romania
3 “King Michael I” University of Life Sciences of Timișoara, Calea Aradului nr. 119, 300645, Timișoara, Romania
4 Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Bvd. Carol I no. 20 A, 700505, Iași, Romania
Corresponding author: violeta_buruiana@yahoo.com, viviane.beatrice@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13353914
Abstract
Romania faces a number of challenges related to food crises and food security, accentuated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These challenges are particularly acute in mountain areas, which are also affected by environmental, economic and social problems. In this context, the promotion and use of local traditional plant varieties/crop landraces can help address some of these challenges by improving the productivity and resilience of farming systems, enhancing food security, promoting economic development and supporting sustainable and resilient development in mountain areas. This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Parliament’s motion for a resolution on addressing food security in developing countries. Preserving and promoting local populations is important for maintaining biodiversity, supporting local food systems and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The potential benefits of using local populations in mountain areas in Romania include adaptability to local conditions, resistance to environmental changes, diseases and pests (bioaggressors), biodiversity conservation and nutritional, economic and cultural values of agro-food products. Given Romania’s rich agricultural tradition and numerous local plant and food crop populations, this paper discusses how their conservation, promotion and use can contribute to supporting sustainable and resilient development in mountain areas, with specific examples of local populations in Romania.
Keywords:
crop landraces, food plants, sustainable development, food security, biodiversity conservation, mountain area