Environmental research

Justification Growth of organic farming is observed during the last 2-3 years. The consumption of organic food has been increased. According to the plan for the development of organic farming the sales of organic products in Bulgaria will be up to 3% of the food products market in 2013. At present there are no factories processing organic raw materials in the canning industry in Bulgaria. The project will focus on the following: 1. Organic farming on 3,05 ha land of the village of Glava, Pleven district. The land has not been cultivated for more than ten years and has proved ecological quality. It is hired by a farmer, member of Natura 2009 association and has preliminary contract for certification of organic land with Balkan Biocert Ltd. The project will support the farmer with organic seeds, organic fertilizers, training of workers and certification of land. 2. Organic product: The organic agricultural production will be processed to a final organic product in a specialized certified plant of the canning factory of Peltina Ltd., member of Natura 2009 association. The production of organic products is a main goal in the company strategy of Peltina Ltd. for the period 2009-2011. For that purpose is going on complete reconstruction and modernization of the existing facility of 405 m2 for building of separate plant for organic production. The production of organic products in the plant will start in summer 2010. The project partner Oberon-X Ltd., a big Bulgarian food distributor, will sell the products in Bulgaria. Information workshops for organic products introduction to the general public and project results information meetings with organic farmers and processors of organic production will be organized. Location - Town of Iskar, Pleven municipality, Village of Glava Project Target Groups - Farmers, unemployed, pupils, students, NGO, municipality administration, traders, food processors of agricultural raw materials Goal and expected impacts - Encouraging organic farming and demonstration of energy efficient production of organic products from organic vegetables and grain crops in Bulgaria Objectives and expected results - Encouraging organic farming and demonstration of energy efficient production of organic products from organic vegetables and grain crops in Bulgaria Major activities Construction of separate plant for production of organic food in accordance with the requirements of the Food Law, energy efficiency, good production practices and the organic production certifying body Development of specifications and recipes for products made in the plant Carrying out basic repairs of the plant including energy efficient construction technologies Buying of energy efficient technological equipment necessary for the organic production Contracting with producers of agricultural organic raw materials Training of the plant workers Certification of the plant organic products Production of organic products Buying of organic seeds and organic fertilizers for planting and cultivation of crops over 3 hectares of land Certification of the land for production of organic agricultural production Training of farm-workers on the principals, methods and practices of organic farming Promotion of organic products in Bulgaria Development of a special website with information about the results of the project Preparation of specialized materials and leaflets for promotion of organic farming and organic products Organization of workshops on project results for farmers, unemployed, processors of fruits and vegetables, pupils, students, associations, NPO, specialized schools, universities etc. Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects There is cooperation with Bioselena Foundation for Organic Agriculture for using the experience and the experts of the foundation and their GEF project No.64 Increasing the Sustainable Managed Agriculture Land in Bulgaria by Testing of Innovative Technologies for Organic Plant Crops Produce on a 130 ha Area in the Village of Dabovitsa, Municipality of Sungurlare, and Dissemination of the Results and the Experience Gained. There is intention the demonstration plant for production of organic products to buy raw materials from farmers from the project and to use the experience gained under the project. Sustainability Peltina Ltd. has developed projected business plan for the activities of the organic products plant for the following 10 years that shows the sustainability of the project. The investment will be repaid in 6 years with average selling of about 360 000 jars annually after the first year. The production will be sold in Bulgaria by main distributor Oberon-X Ltd., as well as by Carfur and other chains out of the range of the main distributor. The projected volume is minimal and in the most pessimistic scenario having in mind the economic crisis. The optimum scenario is as follows: 1st year 150 000 jars ; 2nd year 390 000 jars; 3rd year 450 000 jars; 4th year 750 000 jars; 5th year 950 000 jars; 6th year 1 050 000 jars The projected range is 6 kinds of cans for the first year and 3 new kinds for each of the following years. The prices are acceptable for the Bulgarian consumer that has been proved by the up to date sales. This proves the safety of the project realization and the sustainability of the plant production after the project end. 25 new jobs will be open in the plant and 20 new jobs will be open for farmers,cultivating 3 ha certified land and producing organic agricultural

Bulgaria