Special crop education for economic development in NorthWest Russia and SouthEast Finland (SE549)
Funded by South-East Finland - Russia ENPI 2007-2013

Objective of the project

The overall objective of the SPECICROP project was to enhance the professional growth of special crops and the commercialization of their production, processing and retail through improved education, advisory activities and new research. The project was divided into two specific objectives: the professionalization and the commercialization of special crop production. The main target groups of the activities were vocational colleges and herb, berry and fruit producers and processors in Southeast Finland and Northwest Russia.

Main activities

- Development of herb, berry and fruit education and advising in Begunitsy. - Improvement of herb education for Finnish vocational colleges. - Support of commercialization of herb and berry raw material. - Enhancement of utilization of modern Russian fruit and berry varieties in Eastern Finland.

Achievements

The project had a strong educational element and during its implementation, Begunitsy Agrotechnological College officially began to offer studies on herbs and berries. There were 43 students who completed these studies during the project period. The project resulted in a book of 69 herbs in Finnish accompanied by the Russian version of 21 medicinal plants. Two demonstration gardens were also established. There was a study of the commercialization of products such as Bergenia and fireweed teas under the cooperation of several companies and institutions.