Russia: World's first permafrost greenhouse starts operation
The Sauri company, with Japan’s Hokkaido Corporation among its co-investors, has become the world’s first greenhouse complex to operate in the far north all year round, the company’s press release said.
According to Sleptsov, the first batch of tomato seedlings were planted in October 2016. It is expected that once it reaches full capacity, the company will be able to produce 470 tons of tomatoes, 1,692 tons of cucumbers and 28 tons of lettuce and other culinary plants a year. The cost of the project is estimated at 1.3 billion rubles ($19 million).
Sauri is based in the Kangalassy advanced development territory, which offers preferential terms for investors and residents. In March 2016, Hokkaido Corporation, together with the Yakutsk city administration and a regional bank, Almazergienbank, signed an investment agreement for the construction of greenhouses on an area of 3.3 hectares.
At present, the first phase of the project has been completed, with greenhouses covering an area of one hectare having been built. The rest of the construction is due to be completed by 2020, Sleptsov said.
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