Lithuania
Capital: Vilnius
Population: 3,555,179
Population below national poverty line: 4%
Bóthar in Lithuania:
Bóthar supports two projects in Lithuania, the first of which was initiated in 2004. The projects involve the farming of sheep, dairy cows and goats and the farmers are also encouraged to create small businesses to sell their products while also preserving their environment.
Lithuania Project Profiles
Project title:
Husbandry management by Reskutenai community for the preservation of rare birds
Location: Reskutenai village, Svencioniai region
Number of families: 13
Animals: 6 heifers, 61 sheep, 5 goats
Other inputs: Scrub and grass cutters, electric fences, vitamin supplements for the animals
Training: Preservation of eco-systems, animal management and breeding
Brief synopsis: 13 families will be trained and presented with various animals to improve their income. In addition, the grazing animals and farmers will remove tall over-growth in the local meadows, removing bushes and brush that have been ruining the unique environment suited to the local birds. In this way the presence of the farming animals and their keepers will directly aid the preservation of these rare bird species.
Pass-on obligations: The families will be expected to pass-on to another 13 what they received themselves
Expected benefits: It is hoped that by the end of the project, the families will have increased their income by 20% by selling meat, milk and wool products and that the population of local rare birds will have increased by a similar percentage.
Local partner(s): Centre for Reskutenai Community, Heifer Baltic Foundation
Other relevant data: Since there is no industry in this region, the farmers here depend largely on agriculture for their income.
Project title:
The Development of Sheep Husbandry and Traditional Handicraft Activities in the Sargeliai Community
Location: Sargeliai- the northeast of the Lithuanian Raseiniai region, on the Lower Lithuanian hills, in the watershed of two rivers-Nevezis and Dubysa.
Number of families: 8
Animals: 80 sheep (4 rams and 76 ewes)
Training: The participants of the project will be trained in planning management and gender equality. Training for sheep breeders on ecological husbandry management, small alternative businesses, and handicraft and community development will also be provided.
Brief synopsis: The project will provide 8 Families in the Sargeliai village with 80 sheep. Project participants will be involved in different trainings to improve their knowledge and skill level in animal husbandry and handicraft. The acquisition of sheep will enable the families to develop farming and sheep husbandry. Project participants will learn how to use sheep wool to design and produce wool clothing.
Pass-on obligations: During the first two years each family 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: The project will improve the socio-economic standards and welfare of the community, and increase incomes, the quality of nutrition and employment opportunities.
Co-financing partner(s): Heifer International
Local partner(s): Sargeliai Community
