Vitagro Invests in Orchard Mechanization Due to Labor Shortage in Khmelnytskyi Region

The agricultural enterprise “Agrarian Company 2004,” which is part of the Vitagro holding and located in the Khmelnytskyi region, is intensifying the process of mechanization due to a severe labor shortage. Previously, seasonal workers could be recruited from surrounding villages within a 20 km radius, but now the search for seasonal workers has to extend much further — up to 100 km.

This is reported by AgroReview

The Staffing Situation in Horticulture is Deteriorating

“And there are still not enough people, – he says. – Like everywhere, it’s almost a disaster, and this is true for all areas – both pruning and harvesting, and it’s getting worse and worse.”

According to Oleksandr Baran, the horticulturist of this enterprise, the situation regarding the shortage of workers in horticulture is becoming increasingly critical. Problems arise both during tree pruning and during harvest, and the trend of deterioration is only intensifying.

Mechanization as a Response to Labor Challenges

To combat the labor shortage, the enterprise is actively implementing technical solutions. Last year, a harvester for collecting fallen fruit was purchased and has already been used in operations. In addition, the company continues to update its fleet of machinery: this year, two new sprayers were acquired to replace outdated equipment.

Today, “Agrarian Company 2004” cultivates 550 hectares of apple orchards and also has 18 hectares of pear plantations, 10 hectares of plum, and 7 hectares of cherry. Thus, the enterprise is forced to optimize production processes through the use of modern agricultural technology to compensate for the insufficient number of workers.