Strawberry cultivators from Satu Mare County had the opportunity to learn from their German and Alsatian counterparts
Strawberry cultivators from Satu Mare County took part on-of a two-day
study trip to Germany and Alsace courtesy to DAHR’s MEP Csaba Sógor.
Strawberry cultivators from Satu Mare County took part on-of a two-day study trip to Germany and Alsace courtesy to DAHR’s MEP Csaba Sógor.
During his 2009 campaign the MEP stated that he wished to promote more traditional products, not just the Szekler potato, but the strawberries from Transylvania as well. Meeting his promise, Csaba Sógor welcomed a group of three from Satu Mare County to Strasbourg: strawberry farmers Ágnes Komis from Turulung and Suháni János from Halmeu, as well as István Fodor, director of the Satu Mare County Chamber of Agriculture.
The group visited a 5,5 acre fruit processing and packaging plant in Oberkirch on the first day of the trip guided by Joseph Wieland, head of department at OGM Oberkirch. He explained: their association has almost three thousand members; some three hundred of them practice strawberry cultivation. Farmers from as far as eighty kilometers come to the German town’s factory to deliver their fruits.
During the second day the group visited a French speaking strawberry farmer from Alsace. The North-Western region of France has around fifty strawberry farmers. Olivier Grinner, the host of the group, produces ten types of strawberry on 8 acres. On three of these eight acres anyone can pick the juicy strawberries and buy them at half price. The self-collecting method is very popular amongst local consumers.
The Transylvanian farmers stated that the technology and standards of the Western farmers are of the highest standard and represent a model to follow for them.
MEP Csaba Sógor stated that there is a need for Transylvanian farmers to learn about more advanced farming methods because this can enable them in catching up to the West in the field of agriculture.
„The association of Oberkich can be a good example for farmers in Transylvania as its rules and organization proves that we can greater results trough solidarity” – said the MEP. Ha added that steps need to be taken in order to persuade merchants from Hungary to buy fruit from Transylvania as well, not just from the West and to put the strawberries from Satu Mare County on their shelves.
During his 2009 campaign the MEP stated that he wished to promote more traditional products, not just the Szekler potato, but the strawberries from Transylvania as well. Meeting his promise, Csaba Sógor welcomed a group of three from Satu Mare County to Strasbourg: strawberry farmers Ágnes Komis from Turulung and Suháni János from Halmeu, as well as István Fodor, director of the Satu Mare County Chamber of Agriculture.
The group visited a 5,5 acre fruit processing and packaging plant in Oberkirch on the first day of the trip guided by Joseph Wieland, head of department at OGM Oberkirch. He explained: their association has almost three thousand members; some three hundred of them practice strawberry cultivation. Farmers from as far as eighty kilometers come to the German town’s factory to deliver their fruits.
During the second day the group visited a French speaking strawberry farmer from Alsace. The North-Western region of France has around fifty strawberry farmers. Olivier Grinner, the host of the group, produces ten types of strawberry on 8 acres. On three of these eight acres anyone can pick the juicy strawberries and buy them at half price. The self-collecting method is very popular amongst local consumers.
The Transylvanian farmers stated that the technology and standards of the Western farmers are of the highest standard and represent a model to follow for them.
MEP Csaba Sógor stated that there is a need for Transylvanian farmers to learn about more advanced farming methods because this can enable them in catching up to the West in the field of agriculture.
„The association of Oberkich can be a good example for farmers in Transylvania as its rules and organization proves that we can greater results trough solidarity” – said the MEP. Ha added that steps need to be taken in order to persuade merchants from Hungary to buy fruit from Transylvania as well, not just from the West and to put the strawberries from Satu Mare County on their shelves.
