Expertise in Action: Our Selected Projects
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
>> PROJECT :
Support to Diversification of the Rural Economy
- Country - Latvia
- Donor - Phare
- Duration - 24 months
- Status - completed
Project Objectives and Scope
The project aimed to assist rural households and the private sector in selected geographic areas by diversifying the rural economy and introducing new employment opportunities. This approach took into account the comparative advantages of local, Baltic, European, and other international markets.
Key initiatives included providing assistance and training to rural households and farmers to enhance crop yields and livestock off-take rates, advising rural entrepreneurs on investment opportunities, and developing rural employment opportunities through alternative agricultural activities, family-produced farm foods (such as mushrooms, fruit, jams, cheese, honey), agro-tourism, forestry, non-food/industrial crops, and light industry. The project also supported the establishment of local action groups and other associations (such as marketing/purchasing organizations and machinery rings).
Investment Promotion
The project identified and promoted investment projects specifically for SME companies and private farmers, including those in the wood processing industry, agro-production and agro-processing, transport companies, retail and wholesale businesses, tourism industry, and service companies. ABG has developed investment projects, identified financing facilities, attracted national and international investors/financing, and assisted in the practical implementation of these investments.
On-Farm Processing and Marketing
A key activity of the project was to promote on-farm processing and organize marketing opportunities for selected family farms and farmer associations.
Policy Advice and Institutional Capacity Building
The project also provided policy advice to the Ministry of Agriculture, including assistance in formulating national rural development policies and building institutional capacity for the effective utilization of pre-accession and structural funds.
Specific Activities Implemented:
- Cooperatives Development: Design and assist in establishing cooperatives for production and processing in rural areas.
- Investment Potential Analysis: Analyze investment potentials in traditional and non-traditional agriculture in pilot regions of Latvia.
- Business Planning Advice: Advise farmers and entrepreneurs on business planning.
- Business Development Plans and Feasibility Studies: Elaborate business development plans and conduct feasibility studies for farms, machinery service providers, and on-farm processing.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate the experiences gained and disseminate these experiences to the farming community.
- Training: Train advisors, farmers, and farmer groups on identifying investment opportunities and business planning.