LLC “Agrobusiness TSK”: the productive season has been opened

By fulfilling the tasks set by the state, each region must guarantee food security for its residents. Every grain or vegetable harvested by farmers lays the foundation for the food well-being of the Sumy region for the coming year. Despite unfavorable weather conditions—during two autumn months it rained almost daily—harvesting continues in the Sumy region. It is encouraging that the projected crop yield indicators are significantly higher than during the same period last year. However, the head of the most progressive farm in the Sumy region—LLC “Agrobusiness TSK,” Hennadii SVIRSKYI, notes that it is still too early to talk about this year’s harvest, as 70% of the crops are still in the fields. As a man of action, he will be able to announce the results of his work only when the harvested crops are safely stored in the vegetable storage facilities and food warehouses of his enterprise.

The enterprise “Agrobusiness TSK” is one of the main suppliers of environmentally friendly products to the tables of residents of the Sumy region. The promising farm was established eight years ago on the basis of bankrupt enterprises in the Nedryhailiv district. At that time, its head, Hennadii Svirskyi, set himself an ambitious goal—to use a natural farming method that would help overcome the degradation trends of modern agriculture and create an enterprise in the Sumy region that would meet European standards. He succeeded fully. Investors who entrusted Hennadii Svirskyi with their funds now demonstrate, using this successful enterprise as an example, what entrepreneurial skill truly means. Today, the farm is engaged in crop production, as well as its processing, sale, and other types of economic activity. Continuous efforts are made here to increase yields and soil fertility, which is why stable harvests are obtained annually. A fully renewed machinery and tractor fleet plays an important role in this process.

For a farm with a land area of 5,200 hectares to prosper, agriculture and labor organization must be approached with expertise. Since 2011, potato cultivation has begun here. Among the new promising varieties that have already attracted the interest of foreigners are Toscana, Rosara, Aroza, Satina, Secura, and Miranda. This year, a new variety was tested—from which chips will be produced. From the highly productive Toscana potato variety, imported from the Netherlands and planted on an experimental field, a Ukrainian record is expected—1,000 centners per hectare. A year ago, vegetables such as beets, carrots, and cabbage were planted in the enterprise’s fields.

In May 2012, an irrigation system for open-field vegetable cultivation was put into operation. Two GLH sprinkler units, 400 and 550 meters long, manufactured in the USA, were purchased. The total irrigated area this summer amounted to about 500 hectares. Last year, 90% of the land used for potato cultivation was not irrigated, and the yield amounted to 320 centners per hectare. This year, farmers hope to obtain about 600 centners per hectare.

It is not enough to grow—it must be preserved

Today, the problem of food storage is one of the priorities in the domestic agricultural sector. Of course, this is not the only factor of competitiveness, but its importance cannot be overstated. Reducing crop losses during storage makes it possible to significantly lower prices and substantially increase the profitability of enterprises. As a result, it enhances the ability to compete with Western producers.

This issue has also been addressed at “Agrobusiness TSK.” Currently, a potato storage facility with a capacity of 3,000 tons and a state-of-the-art vegetable storage facility designed to store 10,000 tons of harvest are in operation. In the near future, another vegetable storage facility with a capacity of 17,000 tons will be launched, where the principle of floor storage will be applied. It can be characterized in a few words: a high-tech structure equipped with all the necessary climate control equipment that ensures proper temperature and ventilation regimes. Behind these words lie the knowledge, labor, and experience of dozens of specialists—because in practice it is quite difficult to achieve compliance with all the listed characteristics. Thus, the vegetable storage facility represents a comprehensive solution that is much more complex in its implementation than ordinary food storage warehouses. The idea was borrowed from Dutch colleagues, although the method has been used for several hundred years.

Now customers will be able to recognize the company’s products by their branded packaging. “We will package vegetables in 2 kg and 5 kg units,” noted the founder of the enterprise, Hennadii Svirskyi.

By the way, the company’s head plans not only to grow vegetable and grain crops, but also berries and fruits. In the future, an orchard will appear here, and later—a processing plant where natural jams without dyes will be produced. All products of the enterprise are certified and tested in Sumy laboratories. “For me, this is a matter of principle, because our products are consumed throughout the country, and competition is very strong,” emphasizes Hennadii Svirskyi.

Contacts:
LLC “Agrobusiness TSK”
42142, Sumy region, Nedryhailiv district, village of Sakunyha, 105 Riabova Street
tel. (05455) 5-88-05
tel/fax (05455) 5-89-10