Beetroot harvest in the fields of UAB Krekenava is encouraging: around 3000 tonnes are planned

UAB „Krekenava“ has started the beetroot harvesting season and expects to produce around 3000 tonnes of vegetables. Although this year has been exceptionally changeable with a cold spring, higher than normal rainfall and a cool and rainy summer, the start of the harvest is encouraging. The forecast is for the planned quantities to be met and possibly exceeded.

This year's growing season has not been easy for farmers, with a relatively dry spring, but the beginning of the summer has seen significantly more rainfall than usual in the Kėdainiai and Panevėžys districts. In June, some areas received more than one and a half times the normal rainfall, while at the end of July, in the Panevėžys region, the rainfall was three times higher than the long-term norm. This excess moisture slowed down the growth of the plants, but our beetroots grew well.

„This year we grew beetroot on more than 60 hectares and plan to harvest around 3000 tonnes. Although the growing season was difficult – especially due to heavy rainfall in the Kėdainiai and Panevėžys districts – the beetroots have grown well. This shows that regenerative farming methods are proving to be successful, as they help to maintain soil fertility even in difficult conditions," says Vaidas Lebedys, Director of UAB „Krekenava“.

UAB „Krekenava“ was founded in 2000. At present, the companies of „Vikonda group” agricultural business direction work on an area of more than 6200 ha, of which about 5000 ha are cultivated by UAB „Krekenava”.  The company grows beetroot, wheat, barley, oats, rape, sugar beet, soybeans and other crops. Fifteen years ago, „Krekenava“ switched to non-agricultural farming and started using regenerative farming methods. These include strip farming, the use of green manures and intercropping, and the rotation of leguminous crops. These solutions help conserve soil moisture, increase productivity and ensure long-term sustainability.

The company is also actively adopting innovative technologies, including the use of drones in the field to monitor crop health and automate operations, the development of a mobile agri-meter for more accurate assessment of crop quality, and the participation in a carbon credit programme to contribute to tackling the challenges of climate change.

„At Vikonda Group, we are constantly looking for solutions to support the model of short supply chains between businesses. For example, beetroot grown in UAB „Krekenava“ is delivered to the Kėdainiai cannery, where it is processed into final pickled beetroot products. This is valuable both economically and in terms of sustainability – it reduces logistics costs, ensures freshness and reduces environmental pollution“, – says Mindaugas Snarskis, CEO of UAB „Vikonda grupė“.

Agriculture is in full swing at the moment, with crops already harvested and beetroot starting to be dug, and farmers are hopeful that the weather will remain favourable and allow them to successfully complete the harvest season.