LORRA S.Coop, a specialized entity in agricultural and livestock services, has launched a mentoring program for eight new agricultural and livestock projects with the aim of revitalizing the primary sector in Bizkaia. This initiative is part of the Gaztenek program, promoted by the HAZI Foundation and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, and will provide technical support to entrepreneurs during their first five years of operation.
The selected entrepreneurs, six men and two women, range in age from 32 to 47. Their profiles are diverse, as some are looking to continue existing family farms, while others come from non-rural sectors, highlighting a growing interest in personal and professional development in rural areas.
Activities that will be carried out in these projects include mushroom cultivation, beef production, viticulture, beekeeping, horticulture, and poultry farming. Three of these initiatives have chosen to obtain certification from the Regulatory Council for Organic Agriculture of the Basque Country, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and a response to the growing demand for healthy products.
Product marketing will focus on short circuits, allowing entrepreneurs to sell directly to consumers through local markets and direct sales. This strategy not only benefits producers, but also establishes closer and fairer relationships with customers. Products to be offered include fresh mushrooms, meat, honey, grapes, vegetables, and eggs, all available without intermediaries, strengthening the agri-food sector of the region.
Martín Uriarte, manager of LORRA, emphasizes that the value of these projects goes beyond the economic sphere, highlighting that they represent “very committed personal commitments” that reflect a lifestyle connected to the land and demonstrate a rebirth of the countryside as a valuable space.
In addition, the revitalization of the sector has an international character, with the arrival of an Italian architect and a French veterinarian who, thanks to the ERASMUS program, have decided to establish themselves in Bizkaia to develop their rural initiatives despite having no previous experience in agriculture. This cultural openness enriches the local rural tradition.
LORRA is committed to ensuring the consolidation of these eight projects, which are in various stages of development and will begin operating throughout this year. To do so, the entity has a team of specialized professionals who provide comprehensive support, covering everything from creating a business plan to managing grants.
Currently, LORRA manages 162 active files of farms open from 2019 to 2025; of these, 125 are in the installation process and 37 have completed their initial phase and operate autonomously. Likewise, the entity has begun advising 18 new projects starting in the sector, thereby contributing to promoting the participation of new generations in rural areas.
via: MiMub in Spanish