Daniel N. Dubei and Dr. Sam Otterstrom, Geography
Johann Von Thunen’s model of agricultural land use has done much to explain the use of agricultural land in Europe prior to industrialization. His theory predicts the type of crop produced by the distance from the market. Modern transportation (1) though has improved the spatial pattern of crops and other products; no longer do they follow his theory. Romania is a country that is not yet fully modernized, and I researched how transportation is changing the land use now. I have found that improvements in transportation have allowed many farmers to come to the Bucharest market from further distances than usual. Also I found that certain products, like milk, which according to Von Thunen’s theory is produced close to the market, are now produced 500 km away (2).
I surveyed two markets out of ten major markets in Bucharest. I discovered that half the vendors came from their own small farms while the other half were employed by large, collective farms. Both sold almost the same produce, except the independent, or small farmers sold potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes, radishes, carrots, cabbage, sunflowers, nuts, prunes, eggs, and other products. Some produced corn, but they mainly kept that for themselves. The collective or large farms produced the majority of the fruits, cereal grains, dairy products, meat, potatoes, tomatoes, and some other vegetables.
When I asked about distance, I was actually surprised to learn how far away some of the independent farmers came from. One traveled twice a week from 600 km away with potatoes. Yet not one independent farmer that came from over 100 km away brought fresh vegetables; all the sellers of fresh vegetables were within 100 km of the market, which is according to Von Thunen’s model. Most of the independent farmers brought their products in their own cars. Some took the train, while only one took the bus. No one walked.
Transportation and distance are not such a problem for large collective farms. Barley is produced around Bucharest, Timisoara, and Transylvania. Corn and Potatoes in general are produced in Transylvania and Timisoara. Both are over 200 km away. Milk is produced only by collective farms for selling in Bucharest. Milk is produced in the Moldova region, over 400-km away. For the collective farmers, most of the transporting was done by truck, but also by train.
According to Von Thunen’s model, cereal grains and potatoes are produced far from the market, but milk and fresh vegetables are right next to the market. The independent farmers, whose transportation abilities are limited, produce fresh vegetables, and only those within 100 km bring them to the market. The collective farms, which have better transportation ability, can produce milk and transport it from over 400 km away. It may be due to the fact that larger farms have more money, therefore they can afford better transportation, but 60 years ago, when transportation was minimal, milk was produced around the capital (3).
While the size of a farm does seem to dictate whether or not a farmer can afford modern transportation, I controlled for that variable just to look at how transportation has changed where farms are located in relation to the market. For the most part, those with little or no transportation still follow Von Thunen’s model, while for those with transportation, it does not matter.
References
- I generalize transportation to include tractors and other farming vehicles as well as cars, buses, trains, and airplanes.
- In this research project, I did not look at western-style markets (i.e. supermarkets), but at open markets where anyone can sell. There are supermarkets in Romania, and they do attract business. Most of it is imported though and will not work for this project.
- From an interview with Professor Chevorchian of the Institute Agronomic.
- Muntean, Leon S., Ioan Borcean, Mihai Axinte, Gheorghe V. Roman. 1995. Fitotehnie. Editura Didactica si Pedagogica, R.A. Bucharest, Romania.