Summary

A farmer specialising in greenhouse horticulture used investment support from the Lithuanian Rural Development Programme to build a modern glass greenhouse that could respond to the unmet demand for locally produced, high quality vegetables and at the same time create new job opportunities in an area affected by high unemployment. As part of this investment a bio-fuel boiler plant was constructed to reduce production costs and lessen the farm’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Results

The business produces 150 tons of high-quality cucumbers and tomatoes a week which are sold direct to restaurants or in the local market.

The business is the largest private employer in the district, providing work for some 170 people.

The new boiler operates on biofuel and wood chips which are about 30-40% cheaper than natural gas.