The Republic of Poland is situated in Eastern Europe. Except for its
southern mountainous regions, the country consists almost entirely of
lowlands within the North European Plain. Varying types of air masses
collide over Poland, a process that strongly influences the character of
the climate. The major elements involved are oceanic air masses from the
west, cold polar air from Scandinavia or Russia, and warmer, subtropical
air from the south. Poland has short summers, receives over 600 mm of
rainfall and spends roughly half the year in cold, snowy winters.
The cooperative Poland/Israel Dairy Farming Project (CPIP) was conceived
in 1995 with its centre in Stare Pole, a village in the Elblag region.
This region is situated in northern Poland, adjacent to the Baltic Sea
near the Gulf of Gdansk. It is one of the most fertile and agriculturally
developed regions of the country. Its increased level of agricultural
productivity comes from both natural and man-made causes: fertile moraine
depositions after the last glacial recession; fertile deposition from the
Vistula River delta (which encompasses the entire region); relatively low
levels of pollution; moderate climatic conditions, due to the influence of
the Baltic Sea; and a culture that historically promoted greater
agricultural production.
The project's main objective was to create a centre of operation for the
dissemination of information for the improvement of agriculture in the
region. The Israeli experts dispatched in 1995 by MASHAV - the Centre for
International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - in order to
evaluate dairy farming in Poland concluded that the dairy industry in
Poland could benefit from the knowledge and experience gained by Israeli
dairy farmers. Through joint effort between the two governments, CPIP
started its activities in April 1997, when MASHAV experts in dairy farming
carried out extensive surveys and needs assessments to determine how the
project could benefit dairy farmers in Poland.
Identifying the problems
Site surveyors and CPIP organizers identified one of the major problems of
the Polish dairy farming as being insufficient knowledge of modern dairy
practices (i.e. ration balancing, food quality assessment, proper hygienic
measures, etc.) Additional problems were the absence of modern technology,
and that Polish dairy farms were too small and numerous to be competitive
and highly productive. Those experts established close contacts with
Polish firms, laboratories, extension service advisors, and most
importantly, with a number of farmers.
The project's objectives
The project's main goal is the training of farmers and their instructors
in the expertise of modern dairy farming. The main tasks of the CPIP were
to achieve the following objectives:
The improvement of the ability of Polish extension advisers to
adequately train farmers,
The purchasing of modern equipment and materials to be used on 11
implementation farms in three different villages and in the extension
service's laboratory;
Intensive training and implementation of modern dairy practices.
The courses
The courses offered by CPIP, in cooperation with MASHAV, both in Poland
and in Israel, are planned to train farmers as well as extension service
instructors in modern technologies of dairy farming. Ten instructors have
been sent to Israel for intensive training, and some 40 farmers and
advisors have attended similar courses held in Poland.
CPIP Activities
CPIP has recently purchased dairy-ration designing software, and sponsored
an on-the-spot course in Poland to train farmers and advisors to produce
appropriate foodstuffs and design rations using Israeli software (a
significant approach toward increasing milk production). Courses on
hygiene have demonstrated to farmers and advisors the significance of
understanding the principles of milking with modern equipment, as well as
the importance of a regular milking schedule to ensure hygienic milk and
milking environment. These courses have also shown the importance of udder
health to ensure the proper treatment to he used during the dry period,
all helping to increase milk production.
CPIP has imported from Israel three mobile whole mix mixers, featuring an
electronic scale to ensure accurate portions of foodstuff. These mixers
will be used in the 11 implementation farms, in order to create a
homogenous total mixed ration (TMR). Implementing the TMR is a necessary
step for the creation of a diet increasing milk production. Farmers are
advised to make use of available resources, such as the extension service
lab analysis, and how to improve the management of the farm as a business.
Modem methods md condition evaluation on farms are demonstrated to
advisors for the benefit of the farmers. These farms arid the centre's
laboratory are the focus of extensive investment of money and energy by
both CPIP coordinators and experts.
CPIP experts devote much time to the development and reorganization of the
extension lab, located at the centre in Stare Pole. Providing new and more
efficient lab equipment, as well as teaching new techniques and work
strategies, serve to improve the lab's ability to analyze nutrient value
of foodstuff, another stage in creating a balanced ration that will
increase milk production. All data is effectively collected and
distributed.
Since its inception the project has attracted great attention. Because
CPIP approached participants as an advisory service, the real benefits of
the project appear as participants are seen to implement Israeli
technology, know-how, software and strategies in advisory situations, as
well as the running of their dairy farms CPIP, in collaboration with
MASHAV, has achieved national recognition and praise for its endeavours.
In a country such as Poland, where nearly 30% of the population is engaged
in agriculture and related businesses, the impact of the CPIP will
continue to be beneficial to Poland's agricultural development as a young
democratic nation.
The CPIP is yet another of MASHAV's projects aimed at assisting the
integration of nations with economies in transition into the world
economy, where striving for excellence is a key factor for success and
prosperity. It reflects Israel's commitment to share with others
appropriate technologies, know-how, human resource training and practical
experience gained in agricultural and rural development.