Production of lettuce and herbs using biomass from wood

Good Practice - Project

Production of lettuce and herbs using biomass from wood

Investing in cutting edge production techniques (hydroponics in pots) allowed a farmer to fill a gap in the market increasing the availability of vegetables in winter, with minimal environmental impact.

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CAP Implementation

Programming period: 2014-2022 Slovenia

CAP Implementation

Programming period: 2014-2022 Slovenia

General information

RDP Priority

P2. Competitiveness

RDP Focus Area

2A: Farm’s performance, restructuring & modernisation

RDP Measure

M04: Investments in physical assets

Summary

The production of vegetables in Slovenia covers the demand of the country only during the production season, i.e. between May and October. Off-season, vegetable production is insufficient to cover the market. European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) beneficiary, Mario Kurtović, saw this as an opportunity to meet demand.

He decided to invest in the hydroponic cultivation of lettuce and herbs in pots (the technique of growing plants without soil). Investment support under Rural Development Programme measure M04 enabled him to acquire a biomass-burning heater, construct new nurseries for the ground cultivation of vegetables and also assemble a hydroponic line to cultivate lettuce and herbs.

Results

Slovenian consumers can now buy Slovenian lettuce, herbs, and spinach in shops throughout the year;
self-sufficiency in lettuce production in Slovenia increased from 6.7 % to 19.7 % (STAT);
the project resulted in reduced production costs due to the optimisation of wood biomass heating;
sales increased from € 1.2 million (2016) to € 2.4 million (2018); and
twelve new jobs were created.