Good Practice - Project

FÄRNA ODLINGAR – turning a hobby into a successful business

Previously uncultivated and overgrown agricultural land was restored and was used to set up a new competitive and sustainable business.
  • CAP Implementation
  • - Programming period: 2014-2022 Sweden
    - Programming period: 2014-2022 Sweden

    General information

    RDP Priority
    • P2. Competitiveness
    RDP Focus Area
    • 2A: Farm’s performance, restructuring & modernisation
    RDP Measure
    • M04: Investments in physical assets

    Summary

    Much of the land outside Färna village was overgrown and uncultivated before Johan Mansanders launched his business. With help from the RDP at the initial phase of the enterprise, he invested in equipment and machines to restore 30 ha of land. He planted rhubarb and black currant in 16 hectares of land connected to Färna Manor, and started selling raw and refined products to the local market in the county and surrounding areas.

    Results

    A total of 30 hectares of land are cultivated with 60 000 black currant plants and 20 000 rhubarb plants in production. Products are sold in stores, cafés and restaurants in Västmanland county and neighbouring counties. Thanks to Färna Cultures, the fields outside Färna village are now green and contribute to the living cultural landscape.

    Färna Cultures was awarded the Swedish ‘Ullbagge-price’ for its contribution to rural development.

    Promoter

    Johan Matsander

    Funding

    Total budget 734 659 (EUR)
    EAFRD 48 336 (EUR)
    National/regional 70 718 (EUR)
    Private 615 605 (EUR)

    Ressourcen

    English language

    gp_se_farna_odlingar_web_v2.pdf

    (PDF – 551.69 KB)