From the magazine: No. 1 2014
Category: First persons
I respect those who work on the land
If you create a map of the “potato corners” of Russia, one of the places of honor will definitely go to the Arzamas district of the Nizhny Novgorod region. More than 150 thousand tons of “second bread” are produced here every year. It is natural that our editorial staff is a frequent guest on this earth.
Today we invite you to visit another successful enterprise in the region - the farm of the Labzin family. The son of the business founder and a farmer with experience since childhood, Ivan Labzin, will tell us about its history and today.
— From what year do you count the history of your farm?
– It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact date. We can say this: in 1992, ten people in our village left the state farm and united into a farm. Among them is my father, Sergei Aleksandrovich Labzin.
A novice farmer was then allocated a share of 3 hectares 14 acres, but there was not enough personal equipment, so it was easier to cultivate the land together. At first we tried to grow everything: onion sets, onions, sugar beets, grain, potatoes. Then we settled on potatoes and grains. They gradually developed, acquired equipment and... divided into independent farms. In the end, everyone went their own way.
“It was difficult to start a new business in those years when everyone around was working for a monthly salary, and to take on greater responsibility for the family. Did your father regret becoming a farmer?
– Tell me, where is it easy to work in the countryside? Both father and mother worked on the state farm and cultivated their own garden. There was experience. Of course, it was unusual that everything in life began to depend on themselves: how much effort you put in is how much you get. But the state farm collapsed very quickly, people had no other choice. So there is nothing to regret.
– How long did it take to establish the farm? So as not to count every penny?
– For about 15 years, my parents worked without feeling any profit as such. All earnings were immediately spent on the needs of the farm. Equipment, spare parts, fuel, seeds... For a long time, we planted everything the old fashioned way, as we were used to in vegetable gardens. Then they began to use European technology for planting potatoes, and other results appeared.
– When did you start working?
– Yes, I have always participated in it: if parents are in the field all the time, then the children cannot help but help. If we talk about a serious level, then, perhaps, in 2000. I was still studying at the Technical University, but I spent a lot of time on the farm - especially when planting or harvesting was going on, I delved into all the details. I can’t say that they forced me, it was interesting for me.
– Didn’t you feel called to work as an engineer?
“My father insisted that after receiving my diploma I should work in my specialty. It lasted me for a month and a half, then I decided that I would only invest energy in “my own.”
– Many people in your place would prefer to work in an office. I was wrong?
“The work is hard, but the soul is passionate about it.” This is a special job. In general, I have a lot of respect for those who work on the land. These are hard workers, workaholics - from morning to night, seven days a week - in the field. But they feed people.
– Would you want such a fate for your son?
– He is still only 11 years old. It's hard to predict what he'll choose, but I won't interfere anyway. If he wants to be a doctor, maybe this is his calling? But if he continues the dynasty, I will be very happy, especially since he will get a very good base
– Tell us, how are things going on your farm now?
– At the moment we are cultivating 700 hectares: we are planting grain and potatoes. We recently completed a very important project for us - we completed the construction of a warehouse - or, more correctly, a logistics center. Modern room, heated, with a computer ventilation system. Construction began back in 2010, but the year was very busy; the drought forced us to forget about many plans. They put it aside for a while, but didn’t abandon it. Now all that remains is to pave the area around
Now we have four storage facilities with a total volume of 6,5 thousand tons. We can store all the potatoes we produce and not rush to sell them. To increase the speed of product processing, we purchased a whole line of warehouse equipment: conveyors, receiving bins, stackers.
We strengthened our position in other areas: we purchased a new tractor, a more efficient potato harvester (we hope that in terms of productivity it will replace the five old ones); the attachments were updated: ridge formers, etc. We bought a KAMAZ for transporting potatoes. Now it will be possible to transport 18-20 tons of product at the same time (previously it would have been necessary to transport three “lawns”).
In general, we are ready for the season! We will try to grow and harvest the maximum harvest, if the weather permits.
– Do you only grow table potatoes?
– Only the dining room is for sale. Seed - a little for yourself. Although we try to constantly update varieties, we purchase imported ones. We tried to plant Russian ones several times: we chose them very carefully, went to the fields, watched how they grew - everything seemed to look great, everything was fine. But in our conditions it was not possible to grow it.
– Do you have a division of responsibilities in your household?
– My father and I are engaged in cultivation, my mother, Margarita Ivanovna, is engaged in the sale of the crop. I don’t think any line of work is easier, it just happened that way.
We make all decisions together, discuss them, and draw up a plan for the year. We argue, of course, especially when it comes to introducing something new. I get excited quickly, my parents are more careful. But in the end we always find compromises.
– Do you sell potatoes to regular customers? Where does the harvest mainly go?
– Most of the buyers are our regular clients. People know well what kind of potatoes we sell (it’s impossible to deceive here: in five minutes everyone will know everything), and they come from afar to buy it. Most of our products are sent to Moscow and sold there both through networks and on markets.
– Where do you get information about new products in the industry? Do you read literature, press, portals? Do you attend exhibitions?
– I use all available sources. Once every two years I go to the Agritechnica exhibition in Germany and attend the main Russian specialized events. I collect magazines, newspapers, and booklets everywhere so that I can study them in detail at home and choose what I need. I try not to miss training seminars and Field Days. I communicate with my neighbors.
– How do you find time for all this? In winter?
– Unfortunately, there is a catastrophic lack of time even in the off-season. Recently I had to look for an assistant: in order to delegate paperwork, ordering spare parts, and other simple “routine” to him.
– Are there other hired workers on the farm?
– Yes, now eight people are constantly working. We have an excellent young and qualified team, which in many ways is the key to the success of the entire enterprise.
We invite additional employees for seasonal work: combine operators, drivers for transporting crops.
But this does not mean that everything is shifted onto the shoulders of others. Any stage takes place under strict “owner’s” control: it is necessary to monitor both quality and compliance with deadlines. We have a business where mistakes are too expensive: if you plant it wrong, nothing will grow.
– How do you see the future of your farm? Will you grow and increase the area?
– It’s hard to say: there is no free land nearby, I don’t want to buy far away. And it’s not the size of the plot; I don’t suffer from gigantism.
About eight years ago I went to Germany and was on an excursion to a private farm specializing in growing potatoes. I was greatly impressed by the well-thought-out organization of work: a systematic approach to the purchase of seeds, application of fertilizers, care... I would like to bring to perfection what we have. To work like a clock. Unfortunately, this cannot be achieved in a short time.
– Are you planning to start processing potatoes?
– I do not exclude such a development of events; the storage area is quite suitable for placing a small production there. But for now these are just thoughts.
There was an idea to open a drying plant. I went to Belarus, Chuvashia, and looked at how work at similar enterprises is organized there. But the issue with the product sales market remained unclear. According to my calculations, the cost of the final product will be quite high, and we will not be able to compete with Chinese offers.
– In your opinion, what qualities does a person need to have in order to take a risk and open his own farm now?
– You need to love the land, be able to work on it, spare no effort and time, not be lazy in improving yourself - look for information about new technologies, choose promising ones, and implement them on your site. And have enough funds: equipment and fertilizers are expensive, but you can’t do without them.
– Do you think there will be more such farms in the future? Does our village have a future?
– Our village (like many others in the area) has simply transformed in recent years. New good-quality houses have grown up, the streets are well-groomed, the fields are cultivated. People want to live in villages and work on the land. Of course they have a future.