Dairy Cattle Development in Bulkowo Community
No. 27-0633-01

Bulkowo community is located in Mazowieckie Province, 120 km north west of Warsaw. At least 80% of its population is involved in agriculture and the average size of a farm is 9 ha of land. Grassland constitutes about 70% of arable land and is assigned for pastures. It is understandable, therefore, that dairy cattle breeding has been always very popular in his region. Small scale producers, however, are currently in a difficult situation, since they have to meet all of the quality standards of European Union. Despite limited financial resources the farmers of Bulkowo community have managed to purchase used but functional cooling tanks for their farms. Moreover, they have been able to renovate their old barns, using low interest loans offered to them by the Obory Dairy Plant in Kozienice. Joint effort of the farmers and the dairy plant laid the foundation for their long term cooperation. To be able to sell enough quality milk and to generate a reasonable income the farmers need to increase their herds and to replace their old cows with good quality ones. Understanding that they can't afford to allocate funds for animals' purchasing HPI office in Poland decided to support their request for assistance. Determination of the poorest farmers of the region in implementing undertaken initiatives gives good prospects for successful development of the project. HPI will purchase 60 black and white heifers to 30 families of the region of Bulkowo. The farmers will be also offered training on cattle breeding and husbandry.

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