How to use a whole pumpkin without waste

Events and remotely

Applications for the activity area “Support for demonstration projects and information activities” of the PDR measure “Knowledge and information transfer activities” are accepted as of September 1 of this year. Until October 30th. A grant of EUR 2,303,449 was allocated for this application phase. These funds come from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Lithuanian state budget.

Support is provided for the organization (installation and implementation) of demonstration experiments and the organization of informational events to disseminate scientific knowledge and innovation in the agricultural, food, forestry and rural development sectors.

What is also new is that events can be organized remotely. In the context of COVID-19, it is very relevant that information events can be organized not only in the form of direct contact with the beneficiaries, that is, the farm, company, auditorium, etc. of the farmer and / or forest manager.

The recently approved implementing rules stipulate that in cases of quarantine, emergency or force majeure announced by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, the possibility is guaranteed for the responsible authorities to organize events remotely via internet telephony and Skype software. Viber and others).

All parts of the pumpkin are valuable.

Kaunas College is experienced in organizing demonstration tests and information activities. This educational institution implemented the project “Use of residue-free technologies to improve the processing of products grown on horticultural farms”, which was funded by the PDR measure “Knowledge and information transfer activities”.

The goal of the Kaunas College researchers was to show farmers the possibilities of using pumpkins, which are increasingly grown on farms, without agriculture.

Head of the Food Technology Department, Faculty of Technology, Kaunas College, head of this project dr. Ingrida Kraujutienė stated that farmers and small bakeries were carefully selected for the demonstration tests. The aim of the demonstration tests was to demonstrate how all the valuable parts of a pumpkin can be used in the most efficient way possible in the production of wheat products: brioche cakes.
“As the climate warms up, Lithuania is creating more favorable conditions for growing various varieties of pumpkins, which are very useful to humans. The fruits of this plant can be consumed whole, with almost no waste. Still, most pumpkins are discarded during cooking. And its rind contains much-needed dietary fiber, the pulp can be used for soups or cakes, very valuable seeds that accumulate a lot of zinc. Also, pumpkins are high in beta-carotene, which gives food a beautiful color without the use of synthetic dyes. By consuming more aromatic pumpkin species, various tastes can be obtained. The gardener chooses the right species if he wants to get more seeds, ”said the project manager.

Brioche cakes made

During project implementation, a demonstration test methodology was developed, exchange groups were established, and their work carried out. For three months, tests with new technologies were carried out in several Lithuanian cities.

During the project, 10 demonstration tests were carried out in peasant farms and small processing companies in the country, as well as 4 field days and 16 seminars were organized, attended by more than 240 participants.

“We decided to encourage the production of exclusive wheat products using all the valuable parts of the pumpkin fruit: brioche cakes. These buns are more nutritious than traditional wheat cakes. The use of pumpkin parts in the product reduces the sugar content, intensifies the color, aroma and flavor, reduces the amount of liquids used and obtains the right texture. In addition, the shelf life of the products is extended “, – Dr. I. Kraujutienė.

He emphasized that there was a lot of interest on the part of the project participants, they also had their suggestions. The original recipe called for the use of regular wheat flour, but farmers and bakery owners later suggested replacing it with whole wheat flour. And this paid off, because during comparable tastings, in most cases, whole-wheat cakes stood out for their taste properties.

The project manager pointed out that small bakeries and farmers with a keen interest in organizing a short food supply chain are very interested in producing such exceptional products.

“These demonstration projects are very necessary. We have noticed that people have a lot of knowledge, but it is not yet systematic and therefore difficult to use. Without the support of the RDP, it would be difficult for us to transfer our experience,” said the Dr. I. Kraujutienė.

Up to 150,000 euros of support per project

Research and study institutions and vocational training institutions, as well as other legal entities authorized to carry out formal vocational training, can submit applications under the PDR measure “Knowledge and information transfer activities”.

In the field of measurement, support is provided for the organization (installation and implementation) of demonstration experiments, organization of informative events for the dissemination of scientific knowledge and innovations in the agricultural, food, forestry and rural development sectors.

Final beneficiaries, that is, participants in information events: farmers, their partners, agricultural workers, other natural or legal persons engaged in agricultural, food or forestry activities, who have registered the exploitation in the Registry of Agricultural and Rural Companies of the Republic from Lithuania, as well as to carry out economic activities in rural areas. land managers, employees of micro, small and medium enterprises, traditional artisans.

You can get up to 150,000 euros with VAT for the execution of a project, financing up to 100%. eligible costs of the project.

It should be noted that during the application period, the applicant can submit a maximum of 3 applications for demonstration projects in the livestock, agricultural, horticultural, horticultural, berry and forestry sectors.

What are the eligible costs?

The support may cover the remuneration or remuneration of the lecturers, the organization of seminars, field days, group meetings, conferences or the purchase of seminars, field days, conferences, group meetings, travel and / or transportation (rental and other transport maintenance), missions (when the applicant’s personnel are on business trips), the installation and execution of a demonstration test or the purchase of a demonstration test installation and execution service according to a methodology of demo test.

The production of in-service training certificates and / or seminars and / or other informative events for participants, preparation of an informative article about the project, preparation and publication of a brochure, guidelines for final beneficiaries, publicity of support, is also reimbursed. as well as indirect costs, this is the salary or remuneration of the people who manage the project (maximum 3 positions).

Points are also awarded for adding your own funds

Projects are evaluated on the basis of selection criteria, for which points are awarded. The minimum number of points required for the selection of support requests is 50. If such a large number is not collected, the requests will be rejected.

What are scores for? The applicant’s experience is evaluated. 10 points are awarded when the applicant’s experience in implementing similar projects related to the implementation of demonstration tests, organization of seminars and field days in the fields of agriculture, food, forestry or rural development is of more 3 years.

If the project manager has at least 2 years of experience in directing similar projects related to demonstration tests, organization of seminars, field days and information events in the field of agriculture, food, forestry or rural development , 5 points are awarded.

When the teachers involved in the project have carried out educational, educational, consulting or dissemination activities related to the content of the planned event for more than 3 years (proof of legally valid documents, if the teachers’ experience certificate is provided, they must detail: names and dates), 15 points.

If it is planned to form 5 or more groups, 10 points are awarded, if 4 groups – 5 points.

Points are also awarded based on the degree of organization of the demo test information activities. If this activity is organized in all counties of Lithuania, 15 points are awarded, if in more than 5 counties inclusive, 10 points.

When the project refers to the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems on arable land and / or the integrated use of phytosanitary products, 20 points are awarded. If the project refers to the development of the livestock and / or horticultural sector and / or horticulture and / or horticulture and / or additional non-agricultural activities, 15 points will be awarded. When related to the agri-environment and climate change (excluding the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems on arable land and / or the integrated use of phytosanitary products), 10 points will be awarded.

A score of 1 to 15 can be obtained if the applicant intends to contribute to the eligible costs accordingly.

Points are also awarded for meeting other established criteria.

Applications are collected in the territorial support administration divisions of the Rural Development and Regional Support Department of the National Payment Agency.

The measure is financed from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the state budget of the Republic of Lithuania.