In the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine, a 1.8-hectare tunnel-type greenhouse complex is under construction for growing strawberries. The project is supported by the state "Work" grant program, SEEDS reports.
The greenhouse is being built on the territory of the farming enterprise "Flora A.A." According to head of the enterprise Andriy Kaprytsia, they received UAH 7 million in grant funds, with over UAH 3 million co-financed from personal and credit resources.
"We plan to grow garden strawberries. The first harvest is expected next spring," Kaprytsia told.
The framework is already installed, and the next steps are covering the greenhouse with film and installing the irrigation system. A supply agreement has already been signed with large buyers. The company intends to produce vegetables and expand its operations by an additional 2 hectares in the future.
"We have a clear development plan: strawberries first, then vegetables. The greenhouse type allows us to do that," the farmer said.
"The grant helped purchase the equipment, frames, and film. Other costs, such as drilling and drip irrigation, we covered ourselves," Kaprytsia added.
According to Oleg Sydorov, Director of the Department of Agro-Industrial Development at the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, three farms in the region have received greenhouse grants this year. In total, nine farms have used the program so far, with over 13.5 hectares of greenhouses constructed in the region.
"These are investments not only in agribusiness but also in regional food security. Greenhouses help protect crops from weather fluctuations and stabilize product supply," said Sydorov.
Source: www.seeds.org.ua
