How Farmers in Khmelnytskyi Region Increase the Profitability of Horticulture through Innovative Processing
In Ukrainian horticulture, there is a noticeable trend: despite the increase in fruit cultivation volumes, their profitability is declining. The reason for these changes is overproduction, particularly of apples, which leads to price fluctuations and complicates profit planning for farmers. That is why many farms are seeking new approaches to stabilize their business and increase the added value of their products. Among the most effective methods is the implementation of modern fruit processing technologies.
This is reported by AgroReview
Innovations in the Practice of the Farm “Vlasnyk”
One example of successful adaptation to market challenges is the farm “Vlasnyk” from Khmelnytskyi region. Here, an innovative line for producing natural juices was implemented, purchased from the Austrian company Voran. This not only preserved the traditions of horticulture but also diversified the business and increased its profitability in a changing market.
The farm “Vlasnyk” was established on March 5, 1997, in the village of Myrolyubne, Starokostiantyniv district, Khmelnytskyi region. Its founder, Viktor Kosiuk, worked as a chief engineer in a local collective farm and foresaw the prospects of private farming. The story of this family business began with 50 hectares of land obtained through a government program, which later became an example for others.
Development of the Farm and Features of Horticulture
Today, the farm manages 460 hectares of arable land, of which 25 hectares are occupied by an apple orchard. Peaches, apricots, and hazelnuts are also grown, although attempts to cultivate pears have been unsuccessful due to tree diseases. An important factor in the farm’s success has been the involvement of both sons of the founder — Oleksandr and Andrii. According to Oleksandr Kosiuk, he has been helping his father since he was 12 years old, and his younger brother also actively participated in the farming activities.
“We literally started from scratch. My father bought the first small tractor model T-25 and began working with it. Sometimes he would borrow a seeder, plant some crops, and work it off, or buy a small truck, and so on. That’s how we managed,” recalls Oleksandr Kosiuk.
The gradual expansion of the farm became possible through the leasing of land shares and exchanging plots with other farmers, including foreign investors, which allowed the formation of a cohesive agricultural land mass. The first orchard plot appeared in 2005 when land for horticulture was taken on a long-term lease for 50 years. The orchard gradually expanded from 4 hectares to 25. The cultivation of the apple orchard brought separate success to the farm, although it was not without difficulties.
Oleksandr Kosiuk notes that at the beginning of their horticultural journey, they had to learn from their own mistakes:
“No one told us how to plant trees, at what depth, that the stump should face north, etc. In other words, we hardly underwent any training. It was much later that various informational and practical seminars and conferences began to be held. But mainly, we learned everything from our mistakes.”
Among the challenges were incorrect planting depth, unsuccessful row directions, issues with seedling survival on hilly areas, and significant tree losses due to rodents. The majority of the seedlings are purchased in Ukraine: about 70% of the apple trees come from the village of Vedmezhe Vushko in Vinnytsia region, and planting material is also sourced from Kyiv and Chernivtsi.