In Cherkasy Region, they are harvesting remontant raspberries in greenhouses
In Cherkasy Region, one farm collects dozens of kilograms of raspberries daily, which are grown in tunnel-type greenhouses. British varieties that bear fruit twice a year are used for the harvest.
This is reported by AgroReview
Features of cultivation and berry picking
Every morning, the farm workers, including Halyna Maliievska, begin picking berries in the greenhouses. A total of seven women work in the field, collecting about 25 kilograms of raspberries per day.
“You take and collect raspberries. There’s nothing to it. Only, of course, when the sun is out – it gets very hot. But other than that, I like everything,” says Ms. Halyna.
Halyna Maliievska moved from Sumy region a year ago and notes that this job has been a lifesaver for her during a difficult time. Another worker, Vira Danyliuk, explains that the enterprise grows remontant raspberries, which yield two harvests on one-year-old shoots per season.
Advantages of greenhouse production and state support
The assistant director of the farm, Oleksandra Riabokyn, emphasizes that greenhouses allow for an early harvest, especially in the conditions of a cold spring when raspberries in open ground ripen more slowly. According to her, this year’s price for the berries is 40% higher compared to last year.
Last year, the farm built six greenhouses covering half a hectare thanks to a state grant that covered 70% of the costs. Cultivation is carried out in controlled conditions with modern irrigation, watering, and fertigation systems. Five varieties of raspberries imported from Great Britain are cultivated in the greenhouses.
Internally displaced persons, retirees, and during the peak harvest period, youth are involved in the harvesting, providing them with an opportunity to earn extra money during their holidays.
The director of the regional department of agro-industrial development, Roman Kosenko, notes that raspberries are grown both in private and in farming enterprises in Cherkasy. The total area of plantations is 300 hectares, of which 100 hectares are in agricultural enterprises.
“When planning the creation of greenhouses or orchards, they automatically move towards digitalization, automation, and simplifying human labor. Here, the human factor is eliminated, and there is a system in place,” he commented.
According to experts, greenhouse raspberry cultivation is labor-intensive; however, agrarians are increasingly implementing digital and automated solutions to enhance labor efficiency.