Regional development based on clusters in agri-food sector. Case of association „Cluster agro-food-ind Napoca”

The paper has as main objective to observe the factors that encourage and/or restrict the development of clusters associative forms, especially on the agrifood sector. The study was focused on investigating the activity sector of an agrifood cluster in Cluj county, created as a complex SWOT analysis based on of relevant local, regional and national databases and official studies. The primary data were correlated focusing on the multifactorial role of associative form, which cluster is, could play for developing local and regional economy, mainly on its specific domain of activity. the results clearly revealed the importance of a cluster on the field, but, in the same time, exposed the difficulties that is has to confront in order not only to significantly contribute to the improvement of social and economic results of its members and of local and regional economy, but to stay on the business. It can be concluded that the added value which cluster can offer to its members is mainly based on gaining their trust on its ability to act as a convergence pole among them and with the third parts. the multiplier and multifunctional effect generated by cluster’s activity has the potential to lead not only to obtain immediate benefits for its members, but, also, to gain collaborative relationships that will facilitate the access to the labor market and, implicitly, the access to exchange of good practices, critical for acquiring practical skills necessary for the future development of the agrifood sector.