Agrarians of the farm “Saffron Lyubimіvsky” planted 1 ha of asparagus. This was told by co-owner of the economy Oleg Demchenko.
In total, the agricultural enterprise grows three varieties of asparagus. “We have green and purple asparagus. A variety that goes to white asparagus, we just turn it into green, because the technology for growing white asparagus is a little more complicated - we need to dig up the tubercles of the earth, but now we are not ready for this, ”says Demchenko.
The asparagus harvest season of 2019 is already over, in total it lasts about 2-2.5 months. Demchenko notes that this year the yield was less than last year, it was affected by weather conditions.
“Last year, we collected 5 tons of asparagus per hectare. This year we collected about 4 tons. It was very hot. Asparagus needs it to grow by 20 cm, then it is marketable, it is cut, it is tender, and the sprout does not let its additional side branches yet. And when it is very hot, the asparagus does not have time to grow, as it is already blooming, and therefore there was a lot of marriage this year. They couldn’t get the goods, ”the farmer laments.
Currently, the farm sells its spray to the neighboring farm, which sells it under its brand name "Gurmets z Lyubimivki". But subsequently the company plans to release a product under its own brand.
“While we are working under the flag“ Gurmets z Lyubimivki ”. For the fact that they pack, take and sell our asparagus we give them 50% of the profit. But we are already working on our brand. We have already developed it and subsequently, I think, you will see another trademark on the shelves, which will be called “Asparagus Lyubimіvska,” the farmer shares his plans.
But for this, the economy wants to first expand the area under the culture and develop a market. All asparagus on the farm is located on drip underground irrigation, which is designed for 8 years. Asparagus seedlings have already been planted on the farm to expand the area for next year's harvest.
“To 10-12 ha, we want to increase the area under asparagus. But it will be gradual. I think that we will expand 1-2 ha per year, ”adds Oleg Demchenko.