Latvia
Capital: Riga
Population: 2,245,423
Bóthar in Latvia:
Bóthar first became involved in projects in Latvia in 2004. Families in projects here work primarily with sheep and cows to increase their incomes through the sale of milk, meat and woolen handicrafts.
Latvia Project Profiles
Project title:
Support for the Families in Zaube Village
Location: Zaube is located in the centre of Latvia, east of the capital Riga
Number of families: 15
Animals: 15 heifers, one per family
Other inputs: Agricultural equipment and supplies
Training: Animal husbandry, care and management
Brief synopsis: This project involves the provision of heifers to families in need in rural Latvia along with the necessary training and support to care for them.
Pass-on obligations: The families will be expected to pass on another 15 heifers to the next group of families.
Expected benefits: It is hoped that the families will increase their income by 20% by the time the project ceases
Local partner(s): Zanubes Kooperativs, Heifer Baltic Foundation
Other relevant data: Since the year 2000, many small farms were forced to close after the introduction of strict veterinary laws that the farmers couldn’t afford to abide by.
Project title:
Support for the ‘Veclaiceness Avoitins’ Community by development of sheep and meat cattle husbandry and traditional handicrafts activity
Location: Veclaiceness Village in the Aluksnes district, located on the Latvian- Estonian border.
Number of families: 15
Animals: 70 sheep (3 rams and 67 ewes) of the mixed productivity breed and 8 Heifers of Simmental dual purpose breed.
Training: Training will focus on animal husbandry and sheep rearing. Further training will focus on small - business development and budget management.
Brief synopsis: Each family will receive one heifer or 10 sheep. Meat and milk products from the heifers, as well as meat products and wool handicraft goods from the sheep will supplement family incomes and help to improve the conditions in the village. In addition to livestock, participants will be provided with veterinary support and trainings in animal husbandry and business development.
Pass-on obligations: During the first two years, each family supported by sheep will pass-on the female offspring of sheep to other members of the community. The number, age and quality of passed-on animals will be the same as they have received.
Expected benefits: By the end of the project, the families involved will have increased their income through the sale of milk, meat and woolen handicrafts as well as using their products for their family’s needs.
Co-financing partner(s): Heifer International
Local partner(s): 'Veclaiceness Avotins'
