#GreenhouseFarming #AgriculturalInnovation #OffSeasonHarvest #BelarusianProduce #SustainableAgriculture #FreshProduce #Strawberries #Peppers #Eggplants #AgriculturalPolicies #FoodSecurity
In response to the presidential directive earlier this year, Belarus has embarked on a mission to ensure the populace has access to greenhouse produce at affordable prices during the off-season. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is spearheading a strategic plan for the development of greenhouse farming, focusing on the modernization of existing facilities.
Natalia Melnikova, Head of the Trade and Public Catering Organization Department at the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, shared insights into this initiative. “The Ministry has a comprehensive strategy for the development of greenhouse farming, including the upgrading of greenhouses with supplemental lighting. Greenhouse facilities benefit from preferential electricity tariffs to guarantee a steady supply of tomatoes and cucumbers throughout December, January, February, and March,” explained Melnikova.
One such success story is the “DorOrsa” base, actively developing and modernizing its greenhouse operations. During this off-season, the facility cultivated peppers, strawberries, and eggplants.
“While we can’t fully supply the entire country with this limited quantity, our efforts in this direction are ongoing. Understandably, when production begins, prices are relatively high. However, they quickly drop, and by April, our vegetables were already competing with imported ones,” Melnikova informed.
Belarus’s dedication to enhancing off-season greenhouse cultivation is yielding remarkable results. The proactive approach, coupled with strategic modernization and favorable policies, not only ensures a diverse harvest but also contributes to the competitiveness of domestically grown produce in the market. The success of initiatives like “DorOrsa” showcases the potential for further advancements in year-round agriculture.
