With CNFA support, the "SV Burlescu" farm from Isacova, Orhei, will implement advanced swine growing practices March 25, 2010
The "SV Burlescu" farm from the village of Isacova, Orhei district, will initiate the implementation of advanced swine producing practices in the nearest future. For this purpose, the business has benefited from highly qualified consultancy, provided by the experienced American volunteer Keith Thornton from March 10 till March 25. The volunteer was selected on a contest basis within the Farmer to Farmer program, implemented in our country by CNFA.
"I had another chance to convince myself of how important knowledge is if you want to achieve great results with minimum resources. That is why I am glad I was able to receive highly qualified assistance on the matter – moreover, here, on site", Simion Burlescu, manager of the "SV Burlescu" farm, mentioned. "We have adequate premises for swine growing, we produce our own cereals and feeds, but, given the resources we put to use, we know for sure we can and we must perform better" Simion Burlescu added.
The assistance provided by the volunteer was mostly focused on supporting the activities the "SV Burlescu" farm has planned for the year 2010 in order to enhance business management capacities, and to optimize production practices. The volunteer’s agenda included the training of the employees on modern approaches of swine breeding and growing, artificial insemination, disease control, feed systems, and waste management. Moreover, the employees have gained new knowledge on caring for sows during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for boars and piglets after weaning, during the fattening period and before slaughter.
Given the competition is currently intensifying, and the consumer preferences are constantly changing, the "SV Burlescu" farm has decided to modernize its production, optimize its production practices, and expand its business. For this purpose, the business is planning to dig a new well this year in order to have the necessary water resources for waste cleaning, and also to purchase a cistern for pumping and waste removal. The main purpose of these planned optimizations is to improve the animals’ living conditions, to increase their number, and eventually to obtain a greater value from sales.
"So far, the business has significantly invested in production inputs, which is not yet enough. However, the most important fact is the farmer has correctly identified his necessities", has stated the American volunteer Keith Thornton. "The business is currently at a stage were attention must be paid to modern technologies at all levels. The farmer has definitely decided to assimilate them, and has already planned all the necessary activities"Keith Thornton also mentioned.
"It is likely for the "SV Burlescu" farm, which is a model swine growing business, to share the gained experience and knowledge with other agricultural businesses from this industry", Nadejda Mocanu, "Farmer to Farmer" Program Coordinator, states. "The assistance provided by the American volunteer Keith Thornton will soon be enhanced by another colleague of his, who will mostly focus on implementing advanced business management practices in the daily activities of the "SV Burlescu" farm", Nadejda Mocanu added.
The "SV Burlescu" farm was founded in the year 2001, only having 3 abandoned stables, four breeding sows, and 80 hectares of farmland back then. Currently, the farm has a modern room for sows during pregnancy and lactation, a fattening stable and a hall for feed production. Agricultural lands have been expanded to 160 ha and are currently cultivated with wheat, peas, barley, alfalfa and other forage used entirely for animal feed. The farm is also independently managing all the reproduction and artificial insemination operations. Finally, the farm currently keeps a herd of about 300 heads annually. # # #
CNFA is an organization for international development from USA, founded in 1985, which is dedicated to increasing rural incomes by empowering farmers and rural entrepreneurs. CNFA activity is focused on agricultural development which is based on the initiatives to facilitate market access, enhance agribusiness competitiveness, increase productivity, and improve access to inputs and credit for businesses. In the Republic of Moldova, CNFA is currently implementing the five-year „Farmer to Farmer„ Program, worth $2.5 million, and has recently concluded the $12 million-worth Agribusiness Development Program. For details please contact Nadejda MOCANU, „Farmer to Farmer„ Program Coordinator (tel.:240311, 069260005, nmocanu@moldova.cnfa.org, www.cnfa.md) | 
