IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN EASTERN LADOGA
(OLONIA project)

WWF Sweden,
Baltic Fund for Nature,
Karelian Research Center of RAS,
State farm “Iljinskoe”

The project was financed by  WWF Sweden.

Coordinators:
Dr. Ola Jennersten (WWF Sweden), 
Dr. Rustam A. Sagitov (BFN), 
Joerg Dinkelaker (BFN). 

Project was implemented in 2000 - 2002

The project is aimed at improvement of grassland management in favour of both cattle and geese in the Olonets region (Southern Karelia, Russia).  In particular the project is aimed at restoration of fields with perrenial and annual grasses, which is essential to maintain stopovers of migratory geese  and habitats for many other bird species.

Since early 90-ties the fields used by geese have steadily been over-grown by bushes (mainly Salix species) due to decrease in grassland management. The fields are mainly used for winter hay (silage) production as feed for diary cows of nearby state farms. Because of economic difficulties after the crush of Soviet Union necessary cultivation of the fields has not been possible resulting in degradation with lower grass quality and invasion of bushes. For example, the equipment of the state farms was very old, fuel, fertiliser and grass seed prices were too high. This resulted in far too long cultivation rotation cycles. Low quality winter feed also meaned lower milk production and lower income. This also meant loss of habitat values for birds. Since 1998 WWF Sweden in collaboration with Baltic Fund for Nature implements in Olonets district the series of environmental projects to support sustainable agricultural practices and to secure essential areas for migrating birds.

The co-operation has involved discussion meetings to develop a common understanding of problems, exchange of expertise, a study tour to Sweden discussing and experiencing mowing techniques and diary production, financial support to improve grassland management and grass seed quality as well as species composition. A gift of chain saws and bush cutters from the Husqvarna company has speeded up cutting of bushes on the field.  

It is the common understanding among ornithologists, conservationists, agriculturist and tourist entrepreneurs that this project is mutually beneficial for both goose conservation, diary production as well as tourism. One of important project consequences became increase of financial support to to agricultural enterprises in Olonets district from the Government of Karelian Republic.

Due to timely support from the project and competent and effective local management state farm "Iljinskoe"  grew into strong agricultural enterprise and continues its successful development without external financial donnations.
Positive changes in the state farm Iljinskoe:
• Milk productivity in Iljinskoe has grown from 3260 kg/cow in the year 1999 up to 4700 kg/cow in the year 2002 and 5800 kg/cow in the year 2004 (best result among Karelian farms!), i.e. by 78% during 5 years.
• Yearly increase of fodder (hay/silage) storage in Iljinskoe amounted 2 – 5 thousand tons during 2002 - 2004. As a result, after the year 2002 the farm does not need to bye forage from outside and is able to sell surplus forage.
• Iljinskoe farm recultivated more than 500 ha of old hayfields in 2003 - 2004.
• During the years 2002-2004  Karelian Government provided a considerable financial support to the Iljinskoe farm (for the first time during the last years) for field melioration and renovation of milking equipment.
• Correspondingly, the new jobs (at least 15) were created during the melioration work period.
• From financial point of view, the farm’s debit is currently several times more than credit, the salaries are steadily growing.
• Now there are 850 milk cows in Iljinskoe, and it is planned to increase this number.
• In  2005 the farm bought by its own means a bushcutter from Swedish company Ilsbo Tools.
• In many respects due to this successful work, director of the state farm "Iljinskoe" Nicolay Pitelin was elected on the post of  head of Olonets district administration.

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