THE COURSE AND EVOLUTION OF THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM IN FÂRDEA, TIMIȘ COUNTY

Abstract

The paper presents the course and evolution of the agricultural system in Fârdea Commune, Timiș County, during the period 2022–2024, with a focus on crop structure, agricultural land use, and trends in plant production diversification. Fârdea Commune is located in the eastern part of Timiș County, on the northwestern slope of the Poiana Ruscă Mountains, in a transition zone between mountain and plain environments, characterized by fragmented relief and pedoclimatic conditions favorable to mixed agriculture. The data used were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA), and the Agricultural Chamber of the Fârdea Town Hall. The results highlight that, during the analyzed period, areas cultivated with cereals for grains – especially corn – dominated the crop structure, followed by wheat, potatoes, vegetables, and fodder plants. Beginning in 2023, crop diversification became evident through the introduction of strawberries and the expansion of fodder plant areas, while in 2024, young orchards also appeared, confirming a gradual shift toward mixed and sustainable agriculture. The paper contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of agricultural land use in the mountainous and submontane areas of Banat, providing a reference framework for future strategies in sustainable rural development.