In 2025, three families in Russia’s Novoselitsky District signed social contracts under the national “Family” project to set up greenhouses for vegetable and berry production. According to Nikolai Brikhachyov, the district head, this initiative has already shown promising results, enabling smallholders to enter commercial farming with government support.
From Subsistence to Market: A Success Story
The first family focused on organic greens and vegetables, including dill, parsley, green onions, radishes, and cucumbers. Their produce is now sold successfully in local markets, tapping into the growing demand for fresh, pesticide-free food. Globally, the organic food market is projected to reach $497.3 billion by 2030 (Statista, 2024), making such ventures increasingly profitable.
The other two families chose strawberry cultivation, using state funds to purchase seedlings and construct greenhouses. Protected cultivation of berries is a smart move—global strawberry production has surged, with 9.2 million metric tons produced in 2023 (FAO), driven by high demand for fresh and processed berries.
Why This Model Works
Social contracts provide crucial financial support, reducing barriers for small farmers. Similar programs worldwide, like the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), have shown that targeted subsidies can increase farm incomes by up to 30% (European Commission, 2024). In Russia, such initiatives align with broader agricultural modernization goals, helping rural families transition from subsistence farming to profitable agribusiness.
The Novoselitsky case demonstrates how government-backed social contracts can empower small farmers, boost local food production, and create sustainable income streams. With global trends favoring organic and greenhouse-grown produce, such programs could play a key role in the future of small-scale agriculture.
