Base de Datos de Proyectos de PDR

This EAFRD funded project contributed to modernisation of a farm in terms of technical equipment and the introduction of generation of energy from renewable sources. These have resulted in increased farm profitability and improved product quality.

This organic farm is in Northeast of Portugal and consists of cherry, plum and almond orchards, olive groves used for olive oil production and canned olives and irrigated soft fruit on temporary pastures. The farm also has a cheese factory where the farm's goat and sheep milk is processed. The entire farm's production is organic.

The overall aims of the project were: 1) To improve and diversify production (Iimprove the handling of livestock population, reduce production costs, improve work conditions at the farm, increase livestock headcount); 2) Increase and diversify the energy supply, moving to renewable sources.

The main project activities were: 1) Purchase of a machine to produce powdered milk (potentially to replace sheep and goat suckling three days after their birth); 2) Acquisition of a tractor-mower for cutting and gathering the pasture produced on the farm; 3) Construction of fences, allowing free grazing of animals; 4) Acquisition and installation of thermal solar panels and wind towers for energy production to run the farm: specifically the milking room and cheese production room.

The project resulted in improved economic sustainability and energy efficiency through: 1) Increased quantity of milk available for cheese production; 2) Reduced labour requirement for livestock; 3) Improvement in animal welfare and specifically reduction of goat mortality; 4) Achievement of energy self-sufficiency using renewable energy (by contributing to reducing carbon emissions, through the use of renewable energy); 5) Overall improvement in the farm's operational management.

The main lessons drawn from the planning and implmentation of the project were that: 1) It must be ensured that the policy instruments used (and available) arefully approprate to the profile of agricultural undertakings being supported; 2) Speed and efficacy of both the planning analysis and decision making in the project is critical to ensure its success.

Macedo de Cavaleiros, North Portugal

Norte

Mainland

24.900

8.696,63

2.898,87

13.394,50

Helder José Bragada Fernandes

hjbfernandes@gmail.com

00351919313188

Portuguese