Szekler Farmers’ Association

For 10 years, the Szekler Farmers' Association (SZGE) has been working continuously to ensure that small and large farmers alike have access to information on agricultural knowledge that will help them to produce and manage their farms efficiently. Since 2010, our association has been ensuring the unification and development of Hungarian farmers' organisations in Szeklerland with the support of the leadership of the three Szekler counties (Harghita, Covasna, Mureș). The local farmers' association, which initially signed only a cooperation declaration, has grown into an internationally active organisation, which has successfully applied for over one million euros over the years to support cooperation between local producers and the marketing of products through short supply chains, through grants from the Agency for Payments and Intervention for Agriculture in Romania (APIA). Our agricultural specialists in different fields are in daily with local producers and farmers, helping them to carry out their daily activities more efficiently and supporting them in the administrative procedures. Our activities cover cattle rearing, vegetable, fruit and herb production, crop production, organic farming, beekeeping, pig breeding, sheep and goat breeding and education. In Szeklerland, 452 farmers have started the certification process for organic farming, thus promoting sustainable agriculture in the region. With the active participation of 46 associations and compossessorates (public landowners), the necessary documentation was compiled to enable farmers to become certified organic farmers. In the last period, 18,559 hectares of land have been certified as organic, further strengthening the local agricultural sector's environmental approach and commitment to sustainability. These efforts benefit the environment, the profitability of farmers and the quality of life of the community as a whole, working together to create a more sustainable future for agriculture in Szeklerland. We are paying increasing attention to product development, innovation and digitalisation in all areas of agriculture, pushing farmers towards data-driven farming, organising several professional events and training sessions on the topic every year, which brings us in daily with thousands of farmers and local stakeholders. In the spirit of the short food chain and the Farm to Fork strategy, it is of paramount importance to adopt and develop practices and innovations that work towards agricultural production that interacts with nature, promoting the natural capacity of soil, plants and animals, making farms more resilient. At the same time, demand for healthy products is growing, but there is an increasing need to develop products that are increasingly produced organically and have observable health benefits. In addition, we are working closely with a number of local organisations and institutions, including public bodies, cooperatives, universities and adult education centres. The Pro Agricultura Hargitae Universitas Foundation (PAHRU) and the Szekler Farmers' Associations offer training opportunities for farmers in the fields of agrotourism, organic farming, beekeeping and general agriculture. The staff of the Szekler Farmers’ Association has extensive experience in various fields, as previously mentioned. Moreover, most staff members have participated in national projects primarily focused on agriculture. The Association’s employees continuously organize activities ranging from agriculture to promoting local, healthy, and sustainable food. They have facilitated conferences, round-table discussions, and farm visits for groups during these projects, underscoring our belief that sharing experiences is key to progress and development. Our goal, in addition to the above, is to inform local communities about the benefits and opportunities of these projects through our extensive network of s. We have established direct connections with many stakeholders, including farmers and businesses. Additionally, we collaborate with several institutions, organizations, and associations with expertise in agriculture and agri-food. This network enables us to host large groups for mobility programs, even for extended periods, and to organize activities such as farm visits, ensuring the involvement of experts. In summary, our activities have equipped our key staff with the necessary experience to work effectively in a multinational environment.