Thanks to a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Tudana has become the biggest strawberry business in Turkmenistan, exporting its produce to neighbouring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The EBRD reports that the company operates more than 300 outlets across the country. As a result, strawberry production has doubled to 100 tonnes per year. Tudana has also benefited from the EBRD's Advice for Small Business Programme.
International consultants helped to improve the greenhouses’ irrigation system and use water sustainably. They also suggested changing the composition of fertilisers based on an analysis of the water, climate, and light conditions.
As a result, the use of pesticides was reduced by 95% and better pest control methods were applied. In addition, 20 times less water was used to produce 1kg of strawberries compared to outdoor production.
"Tudana’s clients range from small grocery stores to hypermarkets, restaurants, confectionery producers, and hotels."
The company is currently working on developing an innovative way of cultivating strawberries indoors and plans to reach the international level. By 2030, Tudana intends to operate urban farms in several big cities of the world.
Eziz Boyarov
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