Base de Datos de Proyectos de PDR

Dairying at above 1 000 metres, sustainable forest management, and securing the future viability of three generations of a Slovenian family – this is what a combination of RDP measures has allowed the Plimons to achieve on 37 hectares.

Robert Plimon was thinking about retirement. Three generations of the Plimon family live on Farm Srebnik, consisting of 9.45 ha meadow and pasture, 2.01 ha arable land and 25.53 ha of forest, located between 900 m and 1 200 m above sea level. The 18 Simmental cows produce about 100,000 litres of milk annually, topped up with forestry income. The family were attracted by the combined opportunities of EAFRD Axis 1 and 2 measures to secure their collective viability.

The Plimon family wanted to secure transfer of the Srebnik farm from parent Robert to son Adam Plimon using early retirement and set up funds (M112 & M113). But these funds alone would not be sufficient for overall family household viability. Therefore Adam applied for LFA mountain payments and Agri-environment payments (M211 and M214) to support preservation of this high altitude farm and landscape and its production and income capacity.

Natural handicap (LFA) payments to farmers in mountain areas as well as agri-environment supports are considered compensatory payments, which compensate additional restrictions on farm cultivation, breeding and other management, due to specific natural conditions. The sub-measures provided payments for mowing of steep meadows with 35-50% slope, steep meadows with an inclination of more than 50%, meadow orchards and sustainable livestock production.

The combination of measures has made a significant contribution to preserving the environment, improving the economic situation of the farm and helping to preserve jobs and competitiveness. This extensive farm system can continue to be cultivated; wildlife and the cultural landscape preserved; and population maintained in the countryside. “My father told me the farm must stay in the family. In this respect, the RDP was a great help," says Adam Plimon.

Although the agri-environment payments are important for viability, Adam Plimon is proud of the actual production the family achieves. He says it is necessary to maintain this kind of support for less-favoured areas – or they'll go into terminal decline.

Dravograd, small town in northen Slovenia, Carinthia region.

Koroska

Slovenia

37 700

30 160

7 540

Adam and Robert Plimon

robert.plimon@gmail.com

+386 2 8783 657

German, Slovene