On August 11, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The northernmost vineyard in Belarus has borne its first fruits. A tasting was held today at the agricultural enterprise "Olgovskoye" near Vitebsk, reports a BELTA correspondent. In the Vitebsk region, amateur gardeners have long been engaged in growing this southern berry and even breeding varieties adapted for the north of Belarus. However, industrial viticulture was not considered until recently, until "Olgovskoye" took up this unusual business. "I decided to prove myself as a Georgian," joked the head of the farm, Demiko Nadirashvili, adding seriously: "It is possible to grow grapes in the Vitebsk region." In November last year, the farm planted about 50 vines of more than 40 table varieties of local selection. In August, the fruits began to ripen. The berries, weighing from 2 to 12 g, are in no way inferior in taste to the sweet, crisp grapes grown in Southern Europe. According to forecasts, the "kishmish", "talisman" and some red table varieties will yield a good harvest. In addition, last spring, the farm planted about 300 vines of frost-resistant varieties in open ground. The vines have taken root well, and, as Vitebsk viticulturists expect, the first large harvest will be obtained in two to three years. The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, after familiarising himself with the vineyards, suggested that the farm consider the possibility of establishing berry plantations, an orchard, and building a storage facility. In his opinion, horticulture should be developed in the suburban farms of all districts of the region, planting berry bushes, and at the same time, the possibility of deep processing of fruits should be considered as a comprehensive approach. -0-

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