Estonia
Capital: Tallinn
Population: 1,299,371
Population below national poverty line: 5%
Bóthar in Estonia:
Bóthar’s first project in Estonia was initiated in 2004. As with many of our Eastern European projects, the main target of our program here are families who have suffered as a result of the collapse of the Soviet era collective farming and our projects here aim to help them get back on their feet. Projects since then have involved a number of different animals including sheep, cattle, horses, rabbits and honey bees. As the projects have progressed, farmers have been encouraged to add value to their products by processing them before sale and by initiating agri-tourism and supporting the production and sale of traditional handicrafts.
Estonia Project Profiles
Project title:
Support for people on Saaremaa Island
Location: Saaremaa Island, off the west coast of Estonia
Number of families: 20
Animals: 40 sheep, 10 beef heifers, 18 hives
Other inputs: Technical assistance, veterinary assistance, agricultural equipment and supplies
Training: Bee-keeping, animal farming breeding and care, product production and marketing
Brief synopsis: This project aims to help 20 original families on Saaremaa Island through the provision of sheep, cows and bees and training the families in both their care and the marketing of their products.
Pass-on obligations: The 20 families initially involved are expected to pass-on to another 20 families what they themselves received
Expected benefits: It is expected that incomes will increase as a result of the farming of their animals. The community will be encouraged to work together to gain mutual and shared goals
Local partner(s): Eurohouse, Heifer Baltic Foundation
Project title:
Co-operation of Farmers for Rabbit and Sheep Raising on Hiiumaa Island
Location: Hiiumaa - an island in the Baltic Sea
Number of families: 15
Animals: 55 local breed sheep, 50 meat breed rabbits
Training: Training will be given to sheep and rabbit breeders on husbandry management, alternative small business and community development. Training will also be provided for planning and management in addition to gender equality seminars.
Brief synopsis: 15 small-scale farm families will provide 50 breeding rabbits and 55 sheep. By introducing domestic animal breeding on project participants' farms, this project will improve the island's socio-economic situation, promoting cooperation between Hiiumaa farmers, and encouraging sustainable small-scale sheep and rabbit farming thus generating profit for local people.
Pass-on obligations: Supported families will pass-on the female offspring of their animal to another needy family. The number, age and quality of passed-on animals will be the same as that received.
Expected benefits: Families will get the direct economic benefit, while improving nutritional quality and increasing their abilities and skills in animal husbandry.
Co-financing partner(s): Heifer International
Local partner(s): Farmers Union
Project title:
Co-operation of Farmers for Agricultural Animal Husbandry in Rouge land.
Location: Rouge land.
Number of families: 20
Animals: 30 breeding rabbits, 55 sheep of a local breed, 3 heifers of a local breed, 2 horses of a local breed.
Training: Project beneficiaries will be trained in animal husbandry, breeding and technical assistance.
Brief synopsis: Bóthar and its partners will provide animals to 20 small-scale farming families, helping to improve the nutritional intake and socio - economic conditions of the local people. The project focuses on improving agricultural production and practices, including animal husbandry and agri-tourism.
Pass-on obligations: Within the first few years, the primary project participants will pass-on the first female offspring of their animals to another family. The number, age and quality of passed-on animals will be the same as those received.
Expected benefits: Increases of personal income will enable project participant’s children to receive a better education, and provide better health care for entire families.
Co-financing partner(s): Heifer International
Local partner(s): Farmers Union
