Summary

Kristaps Sula is a young farmer who took over the family farm and cultivates 650 ha of wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, rape, buckwheat and clover. Kristaps is an ambitious farmer who wanted to improve the quality of the grains produced and to be in control of the whole production process, including processing.

With this objective in mind, he obtained investment support from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) to construct a new, effective grain pre-treatment facility for drying and cleaning cereal grains. The use of modern technology enabled more efficient management and control of the processing, resulting in higher quality products, higher yields and, consequently, higher profitability.

Results

The farm's financial situation has improved as its production of high-quality products has resulted in higher prices. Its grain is sold as high-quality grain feed for EUR 27 per tonne, which is higher than before on-farm processing. Additionally, the share of the product that is sold as high-quality certified cereal seed yields EUR 290 per tonne.

Compared to 2017 and 2018, the income from the same farmed area has increased by 42 %.

Electricity is being saved because transparent panels were incorporated into the walls and roof of the building to ensure that daylight helps illuminate the facility.

The improved processing also means 7 % fewer grain losses.