Developing Potato Farming and Refining in Russian Karelia
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to develop potato farming and to found a potato refinery in the Republic of Karelia for industrial potato production. In addition, a high quality supply chain responsible for potato production, refining and marketing was to be established.

Main activities

• Assessment of the farmer network, • Conducting of an interview survey for assessing the condition of current potato farming and production of the Republic of Karelia, • Assessing of the available education and interest in training cooperation with the Merikoski Vocational Training Centre, • Assessing of the areas suitable for farming, their ownership structures, zoning issues, environmental issues and issues regarding social structure, infrastructure and market structure.

Achievements

A survey study was completed during the project. The survey assessed, for example, the condition of potato farming and production, the size and distance from Petrozavodsk as well as the willingness of farmers to develop potato farming and refining. Nearly all of the issues being researched were clarified through the surveys; however, the network of 12 farms that participated in the project was too small a research sample on which to base reliable decisions regarding establishing a production facility or beginning training for farmers. If the project personnel had had the chance to complete the survey study themselves, the survey would have been completed at farm level. Instead, the survey of 12 farms was completed by officials from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, permission to take soil samples was not granted. Both the farmers in the region and the highest level of management of the Republic of Karelia were very interested in developing potato farming in the area, but the activity level and willingness of the officials were seen as problematic. Originally the goal was to apply for a follow-up project for implementing training activities and building a production facility, but because of the insufficient information obtained, a new research project would have been necessary before the production facility could be built. Continuing the cooperation was seen as necessary in order to establish trust. The project was not fully implemented as planned; however, it did produce information that could be used for other purposes and it was seen as being a valuable promoter of internationalisation. The Raisio Group can be seen as having benefitted from the information obtained through the project, and the Group did in fact expand its margarine and fodder operations to the East.