What started as a modest 10-acre farm has now expanded into a 14-hectare agricultural enterprise in Sakhalin, complete with state-of-the-art greenhouse complexes covering 5,000 square meters. Here, farmers grow premium strawberries that have become a regional specialty. Since the start of the 2025 season, nearly a ton of strawberries has been harvested from these greenhouses alone.
Why Greenhouse Farming Outperforms Open Fields
Artem Odintsov, the farmer behind this success, highlights that greenhouse cultivation offers higher yields due to precise environmental control. Temperature, humidity, light, and fertilization can be optimized, leading to faster, more uniform ripening and extended shelf life.
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Extended Growing Season: Greenhouses allow harvesting as early as June (compared to mid-July in open fields) and continue production until January.
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Smart Irrigation: A 3,000-meter tubing system ensures precise watering, adjusting to real-time weather conditions.
Despite these advantages, open-field cultivation still contributes the majority of the farm’s total yield, with peak harvests expected from July 10 until late August.
Government Support Fuels Growth
Sakhalin’s agricultural sector benefits from strong government backing. Governor Valery Limarenko and regional authorities provide subsidies covering:
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90% of initial berry plantation costs
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50% of ongoing plant maintenance expenses
According to Ekaterina Slivkina, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Trade, both small and large farms are eligible for support—provided they have at least one year of farming experience.
The Future of Farming Lies in Innovation and Policy Support
The success of Sakhalin’s strawberry farm demonstrates how controlled-environment agriculture can boost productivity, extend growing seasons, and enhance crop quality. With continued advancements in agritech and robust government incentives, farmers worldwide can adopt similar strategies to maximize yields sustainably.
