Baza danych projektów PROW
Ostrich Breeding Expansion for Meat and Tourism
Summary
This central Estonian family farm combines tourism and meat production centred on the exotic ostrich bird. EAFRD funding helped to build a barn for incubation, rearing and feed storage. Meat and craft sales and event catering are now the business.
Background
Ostrich breeding is rare in Estonia. This ostrich farm started as a family business in 2002. Some other exotic birds make up a farm aviary, including rheas, parrots, peafowl and many others. The main part of the enterprise had been promoting the farm as a tourist attraction showing the birds, providing food and refreshments and producing crafts for sale. Then, the owners saw an opportunity to expand into ostrich breeding and meat production.
Objective
The main aim of this EAFRD-funded project was to improve the facilities to incubate ostrich chicks and expand to a breeding, rearing and finishing enterprise. This would make it even more attractive for tourists to view the ostriches through their various growth stages. The restaurant, catering and craft activities would expand in parallel. In the longer horizon, the family want to build a slaughterhouse servicing own-farm and other producers.
Main activities
The key addition was building a new barn including incubation room, space for rearing and feed storage. The whole idea was based on a thorough business and financing plan for which the family received valuable support from the local development agency.
Results & Benefits
A diversified family farm business and broader income base providing greater income security are the main results and benefits. Turnover is on an upward curve with an increase of around 600 tourists annually, plus rising sales of meat. Catering for groups, including picnics, weddings and anniversaries adds to the wider service range. Crafts, consisting of feathery items, objects made from eggs, and leader products adds to the services and the wider business.
Lessons learnt
Maintaining good communication with the payments agency was essential both during the application phase and during building. This helped to avoid misunderstandings and project delays.
Project location and other information
OU Jaanalinnufarm, Imavere vald 72401 Javamaa, Estonia
Region
Kesk-Eesti
RDP Territory
Estonia
Total project cost (€)
108 650
Private contribution (€)
68 705
Project website
Contact name
Inge Rohtsalu
Telephone
00 372 56 657 199
Languages for contact
English, Estonian
At a glance
Country
Estonia
Final beneficiary type
Individual farmers
Budget range
€100 000 - €500 000
Start date:
11/07/2008
End Date:
01/08/2008
Theme / Measure:
Competitiveness of Agriculture & Forestry
Restructuring, developing physical potential, and promoting innovation
121. Modernisation of agricultural holdings
Keywords:
Rural tourism, Innovation, Farm diversification
Last update
16/05/2012