November 6 2006, 17:48

Farmers contribute to the agri-fiber sales growth in Crimea

Crimean farmers say that "the benefit of agri-fiber utilization significantly exceeds the expenses". This opinion is spread among the producers of vegetable commodities; it stimulates the demand for this type of cover material.

The representatives of firms - distributors of agri-fiber say that the sales volumes have increased significantly during the recent year. However, they do not mention the precise figures referring to trade secret. According to estimations done by the specialists of Crimean office, Agricultural Marketing Project, the market of agri-fiber in Crimea is annually increasing more than one third. The "cut and try" years have already passed, so this season the agricultural producers choose for more dense agri-fiber (СУФ 23 и СУФ 30), which is mostly used in autumn period to protect plants from first frosts and to extend the sales period. This fiber is also used in spring period to grow early produce.

Higher temperatures are maintained underneath agri-fiber like underneath the film. Also, fiber material is better permeable for water, air and light. The producers spread agri-fiber onto the plants or plantings trying not to lay them, and fix the edges with the ground. Early vegetables like radish, lettuce, early cabbage, transplants of cucumber, squash, melon, pepper, egg-plant, tomato and other crops can be grown practically to the moment of harvesting in these conditions. The fiber is as light as cobweb, it does not depress the normal life of the plants and protect the plants from frosts up to -2 Co at the same time. Crimean specialists forecast that the rates of agri-fiber sales are likely to grow in the coming years.