Farmers and the pandemic
In the reportage “Țăranii și pandemia”, published in Formula AS on 6 May 2020, Cătălin Manole talks to producers around Orăștie about direct sales, home deliveries and agricultural work during the state of emergency. This account summarises the themes and testimonies in the original article.
Starting from examples of solidarity with local producers in France and the online platform created in Ciugud, the author follows the spread of virtual markets in Romania. He describes his own order of fresh greens through the “Producers from the Orăștie area” group: fresh food brought to his gate for 40 lei, delivery included. The reportage connects buyers’ access to local food with farmers’ need to continue their activity.
Lucan Farm: solidarity with producers
Mariana Lucan and her husband — identification from the original caption.
At the family farm in Tămășasa, Mariana Lucan explains the move from the market to telephone and online orders, which also bring younger customers. The family makes dairy products and cares for 17 cows, 115 sheep and six sows, helped by her mother-in-law. Deliveries involve additional journeys but support sales. She fears a fall in customers’ incomes and is considering price adjustments; she calls for solidarity with producers for the benefit of both sides.
Legume Beriu: a family activity
Crops in a polytunnel — the image associated with Legume Beriu in the source.
Alina Nicula and her family grow seasonal vegetables in Beriu, Hunedoara County, and deliver orders prepared in advance. In the 2020 account, the delivery charge was five lei. Older people and families with children used this service under travel restrictions. On half a hectare, the family wanted to expand its polytunnels, continuing an occupation inherited from their parents from before the revolution. Optimism about online trade is accompanied by a call for state support for small producers.
Peștean’s polytunnels: labour shortages
Tiberiu Peștean in the polytunnel — original caption.
For Tiberiu Peștean, who was converting to certified organic vegetables, the main problem was finding people to harvest. Orders existed, including from supermarkets, but rapidly preparing 8-9 thousand bunches of radishes would have required three workers. He compared the earnings he could offer with those in Germany and emphasised the difficulty of fulfilling large volumes without enough staff. The succession of spring and summer crops and the certification planned for the following year complete the picture of an activity continuing despite the pandemic.
Voinea Farm: continuity and cooperation
At Ileana Voinea’s farm — identification from the source.
In Pricaz, Ileana Voinea talks about online orders, being unable to send lambs to Italy for Catholic Easter, and discussions with agriculture ministers. She had asked for 12 problems facing farmers to be resolved and criticised the lack of results. With 800 sheep and 100 cows, the family continued its daily care routine, while their 22-year-old son worked alongside his parents. Together with five other farmers, she was preparing a cooperative, also mentioning the associated tax exemption. Her testimony expresses confidence in farming and the family’s future, without concealing the intensity of the work.
Source of the accounts and image identifications: Cătălin Manole, Formula AS, “Țăranii și pandemia”, 6 May 2020. The situations and perspectives are those recorded in the reportage at that time.
