The large-scale construction project of a greenhouse complex, costing more than €71 million in the Levokumske district in Stavropol, is approaching the finishing line. The project has been a priority for both the region and the country.
The complex “Vostochny” (Eastern) is 22 acres of greenhouses where vegetables will be grown hydroponically, using new technologies to obtain high-quality and competitive products. The design capacity is no less than 16,000 tons of vegetables a year. At present, this is the most optimal project on the ratio of its costs and the level of manufacturability. Innovative equipment will significantly reduce the production costs.
Governor of Stavropol: "the region is at the peak of import substitution"
The construction was planned several months ago. However, instability and the fall of the rouble, increased its cost. This complicated the coordination of the project. The government and governor of the region Vladimir Vladimirov, provide support for vegetable growers, which has already accounted for the implementation in Levokumske district of the “Elite” greenhouse complex.
“We received help and support,” said Nasreddin Ojagverdiyev an investor in the project, well-known in the region as a businessman and chairman of the All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress of North Caucasus Federal District. “The Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture were connected to the project. Funding for the facility was approved with strong support from the board of Rosselkhozbank."
The funds are planned to be allocated at preferential lending rates, which are significantly lower than commercial - in line with the decision of the Government of the Russian Federation, which is providing preferential treatment to projects identified as priorities for the country.
Saturate the market
The first harvest from the “Vostochny” greenhouse project is planned for February-March 2017. The vegetable products will be supplied to both the local market and other regions.
What’s on the shelves? Have imports been replaced?
“We want our Stavropol consumers to have the ability to buy inexpensive and high quality local vegetables year-round,” explains Dmitry Shishin, director of the greenhouse complex. “Therefore, our products will mainly go to the Stavropol market. And in order to be able to harvest even in winter, when there is no production from the traditional greenhouses, we will install an artificial lighting system.”
The project envisages the creation of 300 new jobs. In the current personnel shortage it could become a big headache for the employer. To solve this difficult problem, a hostel will be built for staff on the plant’s territory.
At the initial stage, foreign expert-agronomists will oversee the work of the greenhouses, in the future the management plans to recruit graduates from the Stavropol State Agrarian University. This will be mutually beneficial; allowing a higher education institution to grow their own young staff who will be interested in the prospect of growth, as well as guaranteeing stable and decent wages.
The social component of the project is not just hundreds of jobs. It means taxes paid in budgets of all levels, helping to address important issues in the district and region.
“We live and work on this earth, so we should care about the people who live and work with us,” says Dmitry Shishin. “I hope that the construction and launch of the greenhouse complex "Vostoyny" will be another step that Levokumske takes towards success and prosperity."
Source: stav.aif.ru