Developing an integrated organic farming model in Transylvania
Dacian Badea lives and works in north-western Transylvania, Romania, where he is General Manager of SILVANIA Organic Farms Cooperativa Agricola, widely known as Silvania.Bio. With a background in economics and business administration, Dacian has focused his professional activity on developing an integrated organic farming system that connects production, processing and distribution within a single cooperative structure.
Founded in 2007, Silvania.Bio was created with the ambition to build a transparent and fully organic agri-food chain. From the outset, the cooperative chose to convert directly from conventional to organic farming and has since expanded step by step—from crop and feed production to organic milk, meat and oil processing, as well as direct sales—while remaining exclusively organic throughout its development.
Organic farming as a long-term system
Silvania.Bio has developed an integrated model that links plant production, animal husbandry and processing. Crops grown organically form the basis for feed production, supporting compliance with organic regulations while reducing dependency on external inputs. To make this system viable at scale, the cooperative has invested in machinery and technologies specifically adapted to organic farming, with the aim of preserving soil quality, water resources and air while maintaining stable productivity.
For Dacian, adopting organic practices is not limited to certification requirements but represents a broader way of managing agricultural resources sustainably. Avoiding synthetic chemicals and prioritising environmentally responsible practices are central elements of the cooperative’s approach, alongside a strong emphasis on traceability across the entire value chain.
Processing closely linked to primary production
Processing activities at Silvania.Bio are designed to remain closely connected to on-farm production. Dairy, meat and oil processing follow relatively straightforward technological processes, with limited intervention and without relying on additives or intensive modification. This approach reflects an effort to preserve the natural characteristics of raw materials and to ensure consistency between farming practices and final products.
Although Silvania.Bio is among the larger organic milk producers in Romania, processing capacities are still evolving. At present, only part of the milk production is processed within the cooperative, and expanding in-house processing remains a key objective in order to better align production volumes, product diversity and market demand.
Market presence and future perspectives
Silvania.Bio products are marketed through a combination of sales channels, including supermarkets, local retailers, online platforms and the cooperative’s own stores. Today, the Silvania.Bio Group—including cooperative members—employs around 150 people and generates an annual turnover of approximately €12 million.
Looking ahead, Dacian sees further opportunities in improving resource efficiency and closing nutrient cycles. Planned investments include smarter waste management solutions such as biogas production, natural fertilisers, renewable energy and increased digitalisation of agricultural processes, all aimed at strengthening the resilience of the farming system.
