#Grant #vegetablefarming #greenhouse #agriculturalstartup #cucumberproduction #sustainableagriculture #localeconomy
A vegetable farmer from Tambov, Mikhail Borodin, has successfully established a greenhouse farm in the Nikiforovsky Municipal District, thanks to the “AgroStartup” grant. The first harvest, consisting of cucumbers, was collected in May of this year. Branded as “Borodin’s Homestead,” the produce is now being sold in the markets of Tambov.
Mikhail Borodin currently harvests between 150 and 200 kilograms of cucumbers per day. He cultivates varieties such as Athlete, German, and Maestroza. His personal favorite is the Maestroza, known for its small size, about 10 centimeters long, dark green skin, and crunchy, bitter-free flesh. Initially, customers were hesitant due to the darker color, but after trying them, they became regular buyers, Mikhail shared.
With the funds received from the grant in 2022, the vegetable farmer purchased a greenhouse and all the necessary equipment for vegetable cultivation. The farm is located in the village of Dmitrievka, where Mikhail and his family also acquired a house and a plot of land.
“My background is in technical professions, but I have always enjoyed working with the land. I used to assist my parents in growing cucumbers, tomatoes, and other vegetables in our backyard. I had long dreamed of starting my own business. When I learned about the ‘AgroStartup’ program, I decided to participate. What attracted me was the government’s assistance in the initial stages of establishing a farm,” Mikhail explained.
Local farmers and their advice helped him avoid some pitfalls at the beginning, but there were still challenges. To operate the greenhouse year-round, gas heating is required. Immediately after receiving the grant, the vegetable farmer applied for gasification, but the process took longer than expected, causing a three-month delay in launching the greenhouse. As a result, Mikhail does not have any tomatoes yet.
Mikhail plans to expand the area of protected ground and install two more greenhouses, enabling him to collaborate with wholesale bases and broaden his product range.
“However, I’m struggling to find people to work in the greenhouses. The local residents are currently occupied in the fields. Maybe closer to winter, they will become available, and someone among them will be willing to work in my farm,” Mikhail expressed his hope.
According to Mikhail, he cultivates cucumbers without pesticides. Two of the varieties are self-pollinating, while the third requires pollination by insects. To assist in this process, Mikhail Borodin has introduced a family of bumblebees into the greenhouse.
The successful establishment of Mikhail Borodin’s greenhouse farm not only contributes to the local economy but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices by cultivating pesticide-free produce. With further expansion and diversification of his product range, Borodin’s Homestead is poised to make a significant impact on the agricultural landscape of the Nikiforovsky Municipal District.
