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Herb-growing and Mutual Assistance within the Community
Business and Information Centre
Background
Herb-growing is one of Municipality of Velingrad s major development priorities, as described in the Sustainable Development Strategy developed with support from UNDP s Capacity 21 Program. Due to the interest shown, in March 2000, the municipality was included in a project on growing, processing and selling herbs. The project was funded by UNDP. The Business and Information Center in Velingrad was project partner and coordinator.
Herb-growing is one of Municipality of Velingrad s major development priorities, as described in the Sustainable Development Strategy developed with support from UNDP s Capacity 21 Program. Due to the interest shown, in March 2000, the municipality was included in a project on growing, processing and selling herbs. The project was funded by UNDP. The Business and Information Center in Velingrad was project partner and coordinator.
Practice
The project has the following elements:
organization and management of production, gathering, drying, processing and sale of wild and cultivated herbs, in order to provide a sustainable source of income for the local community;
training of local herb-gatherers for environment-friendly use of available herbs;
establishment of a seed production facility to guarantee the availability of quality seeds for further production;
restoration, improvement and environmental protection of soil in the area.
A study was conducted to identify the types of herbs to be cultivated. The study resulted in the selection of centaury, camomile, garden tea, salvia sclarea and others. The replication of the Elhovo model in Velingrad included also some new aspects:
partnership between the municipalities of Elhovo and Velingrad on the exchange of information about technology and markets;
expansion of target groups by including not only Roma people but Bulgarian muslims as well, as they account for most of the unemployed in the community;
given the same climate and social problems, the local initiative was transformed into a regional one;
pricing and quality improvements to make the products competitive internationally.
One of the major elements of the project involved the training of local experts and small land owners in two areas:
1. Herb-growing training of local experts and small land owners to assist people who would like to engage in this business. The training was provided by the Botany Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science.
2. Distinguishing, gathering, drying and processing of wild herbs training of local herb-gatherers. The trainees were taught the technical and legal requirements applicable to the gathering of wild herbs, as well as the major requirements to gathering without damaging herbs natural habitat. The training was provided by local experts.
The Botany Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science was the chief consultant on the project. The Botany Institute provided seeds, technology and training for local experts. The Institute has the obligation to analyze and issue certificates for all products.
Herb-gatherers were trained with assistance on behalf of the Environmental Protection Association, Velingrad. The Association provided a list of all herbs banned from picking or under special protection.
To provide employment to the trainees, the Business and Information Center has established a special fund to finance the purchase of wild herbs. It also became a member of the Bulgarian Association of Herb and Mushroom Gatherers and is currently working with leading Bulgarian export companies. Upon the end of the purchasing season, the fund will be used to buy a multicultivator to process the plants.
To guarantee the project s future sustainability and expansion, it is necessary to build a modern nursery. The nursery should be on 4,000 sq meters, of which 3,000 sq meters of indoor and 1,000 sq meters of outdoor installations, including an irrigation system, equipment and tools. The seeds will be provided to small land owners, together with the technology and expert assistance with regard to cultivation and training. Landowners will only have to pay the direct costs of seed production. The Center will guarantee the purchase of the produce.
The project has the following elements:
organization and management of production, gathering, drying, processing and sale of wild and cultivated herbs, in order to provide a sustainable source of income for the local community;
training of local herb-gatherers for environment-friendly use of available herbs;
establishment of a seed production facility to guarantee the availability of quality seeds for further production;
restoration, improvement and environmental protection of soil in the area.
A study was conducted to identify the types of herbs to be cultivated. The study resulted in the selection of centaury, camomile, garden tea, salvia sclarea and others. The replication of the Elhovo model in Velingrad included also some new aspects:
partnership between the municipalities of Elhovo and Velingrad on the exchange of information about technology and markets;
expansion of target groups by including not only Roma people but Bulgarian muslims as well, as they account for most of the unemployed in the community;
given the same climate and social problems, the local initiative was transformed into a regional one;
pricing and quality improvements to make the products competitive internationally.
One of the major elements of the project involved the training of local experts and small land owners in two areas:
1. Herb-growing training of local experts and small land owners to assist people who would like to engage in this business. The training was provided by the Botany Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science.
2. Distinguishing, gathering, drying and processing of wild herbs training of local herb-gatherers. The trainees were taught the technical and legal requirements applicable to the gathering of wild herbs, as well as the major requirements to gathering without damaging herbs natural habitat. The training was provided by local experts.
The Botany Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science was the chief consultant on the project. The Botany Institute provided seeds, technology and training for local experts. The Institute has the obligation to analyze and issue certificates for all products.
Herb-gatherers were trained with assistance on behalf of the Environmental Protection Association, Velingrad. The Association provided a list of all herbs banned from picking or under special protection.
To provide employment to the trainees, the Business and Information Center has established a special fund to finance the purchase of wild herbs. It also became a member of the Bulgarian Association of Herb and Mushroom Gatherers and is currently working with leading Bulgarian export companies. Upon the end of the purchasing season, the fund will be used to buy a multicultivator to process the plants.
To guarantee the project s future sustainability and expansion, it is necessary to build a modern nursery. The nursery should be on 4,000 sq meters, of which 3,000 sq meters of indoor and 1,000 sq meters of outdoor installations, including an irrigation system, equipment and tools. The seeds will be provided to small land owners, together with the technology and expert assistance with regard to cultivation and training. Landowners will only have to pay the direct costs of seed production. The Center will guarantee the purchase of the produce.
Results
35 decares of herbs were planted. 9 workers were hired to work municipal land and in seed production.
17 local experts and small landowners were trained.
5 training courses for herb-gatherers were organized. 90 unemployed people were trained, successfully passed the exam and obtained a certificate.
The municipal herb-drying facility was reconstructed and equipped.
More than 25 tons of wild herbs and fruits were purchased, processed and sold by observing all environmental, legal and technological requirements.
More than 200 herb-gatherers were involved in the purchasing campaign, and 3 workers were employed at the drying facility. 6 purchasing points were opened in different communities within the municipality.
A conference was held with the participation of the municipalities of Velingrad, Elhovo and Asenovgrad, the Botany Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science, the Bulgarian Association of Herb and Mushroom Gathereres, the National Institute of Public Health, mayors, the Velingrad National Forestry Service, the Velingrad Nature Protection Association, local experts and project participants.
The Business and Information Center became a member of the Bulgarian Association of Herb and Mushroom Gatherers.
35 decares of herbs were planted. 9 workers were hired to work municipal land and in seed production.
17 local experts and small landowners were trained.
5 training courses for herb-gatherers were organized. 90 unemployed people were trained, successfully passed the exam and obtained a certificate.
The municipal herb-drying facility was reconstructed and equipped.
More than 25 tons of wild herbs and fruits were purchased, processed and sold by observing all environmental, legal and technological requirements.
More than 200 herb-gatherers were involved in the purchasing campaign, and 3 workers were employed at the drying facility. 6 purchasing points were opened in different communities within the municipality.
A conference was held with the participation of the municipalities of Velingrad, Elhovo and Asenovgrad, the Botany Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science, the Bulgarian Association of Herb and Mushroom Gathereres, the National Institute of Public Health, mayors, the Velingrad National Forestry Service, the Velingrad Nature Protection Association, local experts and project participants.
The Business and Information Center became a member of the Bulgarian Association of Herb and Mushroom Gatherers.
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