Implications of the Implementation of the Circular Economy in Agriculture and Rural Development in Romania

The paper aims to present the implications of implementing the concept of circular economy (EC) first at the therapeutic-methodological level through a scheme that shows the main flows of activities that are carried out in order to make resources more efficient in order to produce more economic value with the same or with few resources. This new economic model is an incentive for innovation in the re-use of materials, components and products, as well as the creation of new business models. In a circular economy, the more efficient use of materials created greater value, both through cost savings and through the development of new or existing markets. The need to use EC concepts is also given by UN forecasts, as current trends in continuous growth are owned according to the linear production-distribution-consumption-waste model, humanity will need resources of two countries by 2030 and three Countries by 2050 to function at the current rate. Rethinking, recycling, reduction, reuse, resource recovery: the various Rs at the heart of the circular economy are perfectly applicable in agriculture, helping farmers to "produce more, with less". Products that are today dissected, considered to be waste, can be processed, used by the agri-food industry and/or as food for animal consumption and bioenergy production, or can be incorporated into the soil to increase its organic substance content, improving its quality. Integrated agricultural systems to reduce the amount of inputs used, such as fertilizers, energy and plant protection products, should be given more attention. Precision technology, involving a more efficient use of resources, is one of the tools for implementing the circular economy approach. The main specific areas of the circular economy in agriculture and rural development are presented and the study continues by apply EC in agritourism. Specific indicators are presented regarding the implementation of EC in Romania and the stage, appreciated as unsatisfactory, of the exploitation of this concept in the economy of our country.