RDP project database

The project aims at transforming a small semi-subsistence farm into a viable economic unit for a young farmer, setting him up as owner/manager, implementing a business plan for enterprise expansion, and making use of advisory services and training.

The beneficiary applied for funding through three RDP measures - 112 "Setting up young farmers" (25000€), 111 "Vocational training" (1750€) and 143 "Advice and consultation for Bulgarian and Romanian agricultural sectors" (500€). The farm, located in the municipality of Sliven, is a small semi-subsistence farm producing mainly fruits, grains and almonds. The beneficiary's main goal is to expand his small farm into a market-oriented and viable economic unit compliant with EU standards.

The objectives of the project are to: increase the turnover of the farm, transforming it from semi-subsistence to a market-oriented farm, specialising in the production of fresh fruits, almonds and grains; ensure compliance with EU standards on phytosanitary requirements, protection of the environment, hygiene, safety and working conditions; increase the areas of almond planted; and improve farm mechanisation by purchasing agricultural machinery.

The beneficiary developed a business plan with the assistance of the local governments experts in agriculture (Advices for agriculture services under measure 143). The main actions envisaged are to increase the farm economic size and revenue and to participate in a course of at least 150 hours in the field of agriculture, particularly focused on agri-environmental issues.

The expected results include: increased farm turnover by 5.23 economic units, transforming it from a semi-subsistence size of 2.13 economic units to a market-oriented one of 7.36; compliance with Community standards on phytosanitary requirements, protection of the environment, hygiene, safety and working conditions; increased almond planted area by 17.681 hectares, and; improved farm mechanisation.

Having a good business idea and the ability to develop and implement it, including contracting in specialist advice when needed, with suitable financial investment, is crucial to the success of expansion from semi-subsistence farming to a viable economic unit.

Sliven Municipality, district of Sliven, Bulgaria.

Sliven

Bulgaria

27 250

21 800

5 450

Krasimir Hristov Krastev

postcards@enrd.eu

+359 888872165

English, Bulgarian