case study: moara domneasca didactic farm

MODULE 5 - CASE STUDY I

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Moara Domneasca didactic farm belonging to the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest, trains future professionals in horticulture, agriculture, animal breeding, veterinary medicine, etc.

http://www.usamv.ro/


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At 15 km from Bucharest, a narrow road

leads directly to the Moara Domneasca didactic farm,

in the east part of the village. Few people know that the

farm belongs to USAMV and that students, teachers,

master and doctoral students and researchers, prepare

improvement, research and testing of new varieties

and hybrids of cereals, fruit trees, etc., using the most

modern technologies in the field.

Vegetable crops are grown by successive rotations: wheat, triticale (a cross between

wheat and rye), peas, sunflower, rapeseed, potato etc. The farm also benefits from experiences of

teachers from Crop and Soil Science, Agrochemistry - Agrotechnics Department, Phytopathology

Department, Entomology, Pastures and Meadows Department, Mechanisation and Horticulture,

namely, an area of 25 ha.


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PROPERTY EXTENT:

-602 hectares of agricultural land of the farm

-524 hectares represents arable land

-42 hectares distributed to research sector

-482 hectares remaining distributed to production sector

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS:

Wheat, Rye, Peas, Sunflower, Rapeseed, Potatoes, etc.

FRUIT TREES:

Pears, Sweet cherries, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Apples,


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Moara Domneasca didactic farm is equipped with seven tractors U650,

according to the work surface as follows: :

- 4 discs - 3 cultivators CCPU-4.2

- 3 discs harrow GD-3.2 - 4 plows PP3-30

- 1 MET-2500 - 1 MAS

- 1 MRM-2,2 - 1 CARP-4

- 1 MIG-5 - 1 TIM tractor

- 1 SUP-4.8 - 7 stellate discs

- 1 SCP-8 - 4 harrows


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The didactic farm includes 455 hectares for organic crops, 65 hectares for fruit trees

orchard, 19 hectares for the fishery sector, a stable for horses as leisure, a warehouse with cold

temperature, controlled humidity and atmosphere for the storage of fruits and vegetables with a

capacity of 900 tons, modern farm of web-footed gene bank (geese, ducks variety), a mansion where

Tolstoi lived and many other modern outbuildings equipped with the purpose of serving as

accommodation and training centres for future professionals. Furthermore, affordable fresh fruit and

vegetables can be purchased at the farm, much more tastier and healthier than those found in

hypermarket.

On the farm there is a fruit tree orchard of 12 hectares consisting in peach basic varieties:

Cardinal, Redhaven, Springold, Ewe, Romamer, NJ 365, etc., a 23 hectares orchard with over 30

varieties of apples, 7 hectares of plum varieties like Stanley, Centennial, Anna Spath, Agen, an apricot

orchard of 6 hectares, where the predominant varieties are Dacia and Tudor, a cherry orchard - 5

hectares with basic varieties: Germersdorf, Hedelfinger, Stella, and a walnut orchard - 5 hectares with

Romanian varieties as Jupanesti, Germisara, Muscelean and Valcea.


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The orchard fruit tree is thus structured that it can be checked and controled in various

stages of growing. The farm has over the whole surface drip irrigation systems. Apart from the

orchards, Moara Domneasca didactic farm has also vegetable crops that provide fresh vegetables

for the cafeteria where farm workers eat.

Another attractive place from Moara Domneasca is the fishery, where sport fishing

competitions are organized by university students of agricultural and veterinary medicine in the

country. Not far from the fish tank, there are also designated areas for equestrian sports lovers.

As for the web-footed farm, it includes 150 geese and 550 ducks, geese with four

breeds (Emden, Toulouse, China White, Chinese Brown) and four breeds of duck (Barbaria /

Muscovy, Pekin, running Indian and Khaki Cambell), an incubator and high quality genetic

material.

Web-footed farm was a new investment of the University as well as the warehouse with

cold temperature, controlled humidity and atmosphere, along with new laboratories and a dining

room with a capacity of 120 seats for students that come at Moara Domneasca to practice.


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Process Description Competence Description Level

Knowledge on organic farming crops, animal production and biodiversity protection

To be able to respect the procedures involved in the didactic farm’s processes

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Seasonal works (digging, weeding, cutting)

To be able to perform sustainable mechanical operations according to agricultural procedures

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Pests and parasites control based on vegetable crops and pomiculture (list of authorized technical means)

To be able to recognise and control pests and parasites that can affect the orchard and the vegetable crops

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Harvest and transport the fruits, vegetables and animal products to the farm storage and conditioning centre

To be able to organise and perform harvest and transport of fruits, vegetables and animal products to the farm storage and conditioning centre

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Cleaning, separating, selecting the products

To be able to perform cleaning, separation and selection of the products

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Process Description Competence Description Level

Guided visits and didactic teaching on natural and agricultural issues

To be able to manage guided visits and didactic programs of learning for schools and groups

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Organic certification procedures (linked to external control)

To be able to manage the organic certification procedures

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Marketing of fruits, vegetables, animal products and related products

To be able to lead the marketing of the fruits, vegetables, animal products and related products

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Management supervision and commercial organisation of buying goods and selling products

To be able to supervise and manage the commercial organisation of their business activity

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KIND OF INNOVATION STRENGTHS &OPPORTUNITIES

WEAKS &THREATS

"Pick fruits by yourself" is a common feature promoted in many

foreign farms, and this concept offers customers the

opportunity to collect the fruits and vegetables by

themselves. In this way, customers choose

exactly those products that are to their liking.

This concept is used by Moara Domneasca.

Bio Products Range:Peach basic varieties: Cardinal, Redhaven, Springold, Ewe, Romamer, NJ 365, etc., over 30 varieties of apples, plum varieties like Stanley, Centennial, Anna Spath, Agen,etc.

Some buildings still need restauration and endowment.

The farm offers fresh vegetables and animal products to the consumers. Also, the farm is dedicated to innovation and to constant development of their research.

The farm could use a marketing improvement, they should invest more in advertising in order to gain more visitors.


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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3MnwC5yUs




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case study: moara domneasca didactic farm

Small Business & Entrepreneurship