Growing Our Own Veggies and Berries Appears to Be Possible in This Area.
The agriculture scene in the Sverdlovsk region is a rollercoaster ride, courtesy of the unpredictable weather patterns. While the industry is considered traditional and slow-paced, farmers struggle with distribution channels and face hefty losses due to a lack of initiative and cooperation. In some cases, their surplus produce ends up buried in the ground by the ton.
Mikhail Shklyar, a farmer from the Sysertsky district, sheds light on the issues plaguing the industry and proposes solutions, although they are currently in the "wishful thinking" stage. He believes that farmers need to band together to achieve these goals.
We took a peek at the ministry's perspective as well. According to the stats, the region can't self-supply vegetables and berries due to the climate. The main producers are private individuals, and only a fraction of the fruit and berry production volume meets the regional demand. The remaining produce is imported from other Russian regions and abroad.
Vegetable, Fruit, and Berry Production and Market Conditions
The region's climate makes it challenging for self-supply of vegetables and berries. Mikhail Shklyar questions the accuracy of the statistical data and believes more flexible data collection could improve the situation, as farmers currently grow produce "blindly," without understanding market demands.
Official data shows that only five farms in the region produce berries, and 38 farms produce open-field vegetables. The main farmers in the fruit and berry production are private individuals. The total fruit and berry production averages 50,000 tons, meeting only 12% of the population's demand for these products. Agricultural enterprises and farms contribute less than 0.08% of the production volume. The bulk of the remaining fruits and berries are imported into the region.
Marketing Channels for Farm Products
The region hosts numerous markets, but Mikhail Shklyar thinks a permanently operating agricultural market would benefit farmers, allowing them to sell their products directly to consumers without markups. He's spent time selling his produce directly to consumers and collaborating with supermarket chains, with mixed results.
In essence, the networks are interested in local products. Building relationships and having a mediator who deals with disputes would make things easier for farmers. Mikhail believes an agricultural market like Moscow's "FOOD CITY" would be an excellent example for the region, bringing order, fair prices, and no long-term rent for farmers and consumers.
Self-Organization of Farmers and State Support
The state provides limited support to local producers. Subsidies are given to reimburse some expenses for growing vegetables, and grants are available for developing businesses through competitive selection. However, Mikhail Shklyar believes that this isn't enough to tackle all the problems. In the current climate, the farming community urgently needs to unite, create a union, and consolidate data on planting volumes to effectively cooperate with networks and other major market players.
Success stories like Guzel Sanjapova, who founded a small enterprise producing honey, berry, and herb products on a limited scale, employing locals, and moving to the countryside from the city are inspiring. Establishing farms or cooperatives to ensure income is feasible for many.
- Mikhail Shklyar, a farmer from Syvertsky district, suggests that farmers in the region could improve their current situation by consolidating their efforts and forming a union, allowing them to work together effectively and better understand market demands for vegetable, fruit, and berry production.
- In light of the challenges faced by local farmers in the Sverdlovsk region, Mikhail Shklyar proposes creating a permanent agricultural market where farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers, similar to Moscow's "FOOD CITY," which would offer order, fair prices, and no long-term rent for farmers and consumers alike.
