August 11 2008, 09:23

Vegetable harvesting continues in the farms of Astrakhan oblast

The farmers of Astrakhan oblast have a busy period. The harvesting campaign in the farms of the oblast is at the height. To date, nearly 110.000 tonnes of vegetables have been already harvested, up 17.000 tonnes compared to the last season.

The main part of vegetables are directed to the metropolitan regions. In Kamyzyakskiy region the yield indices are lower compared to the last year. The reason is bad weather conditions. Due to rainy weather the harvesting started ten days later of the schedule date.

The main part of pickles of the Astrakhan vegetable-growers goes to Moscow oblast, mostly to military units. The tomato paste as additive is used in production of canned fish.

The main problem of the Astrakhan people – lack of the labor force and raw material. Currently, workshops are only half loaded. The farmers decided to catch-up volumes by their own efforts and as an experiment sowed 120 ha of tomatoes under mechanized harvesting.

In few days, the Italian combine will harvest vegetables. In Astrakhan oblast there are no skilled masters to operate this machine, therefore the Ukrainian specialists will render their assistance.

Despite all complexities, the farmers do not give up. They attract migrant workers, take credits for new machinery. So, they do not have problems with products distribution, Skavkaz.rfn.ru informed.