Sweet cherry harvesting in the combat zones of southern Ukraine is an extremely challenging process, requiring not only physical effort but also psychological resilience. Vitaliy Krupa, the chief agronomist of the agricultural enterprise "Enogray" in the Kherson region, shares the specifics of working during wartime.
The cherry harvesting process now occurs under the constant threat of shelling. When shelling begins, workers are forced to leave the orchard and stop working for three days to assess the level of danger. This downtime often leads to the loss of part of the crop as cherries over-ripen and become unsuitable for harvesting. The main priority is the safety of the workers, as orchards can be replanted, but human lives cannot be replaced.
Due to the war, the farm faces a significant shortage of labour. During the peak season, 100–120 workers are needed daily, but only 60-70 are available. This complicates all aspects of work, from harvesting to other agricultural operations. Residents who have not evacuated and are not afraid are gathered by buses from nearby villages within a 30 km radius. However, due to the wartime situation, many men do not allow women to work and vice versa. Students and seasonal workers who used to come to help are almost non-existent now.
The farm has received the status of a critical enterprise, allowing them to apply for the deferral of workers from mobilisation. However, many workers, particularly tractor drivers, have military training and are not eligible for deferral. Three workers have already been mobilized, and the critical enterprise status only partially helps retain staff.
Obtaining the status of a critical enterprise was made possible due to the farm's significant contribution to the regional economy – paying 5.5 million UAH in taxes in 2023 and providing jobs to residents in the combat zone. However, this status also prevents the enterprise from receiving any grants, adding further challenges during these difficult times.
Source: agrotimes.ua