News in Press-centre

An experimental greenhouse for growing strawberries was opened in Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) on June 21. The innovation complex is a joint project of FEFU, Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI), Evro-Aziatskii Torgovy Dom “Innovation” LLC, and Hitachi Group of Companies with the assistance of ANO Far East Investment and Export Agency.

The opening ceremony was attended by FEFU President Nikita Anisimov, Tokyo NODAI President Katsumi Takano, Representative Director & President of Hitachi Triple Win Corp. Masami Iijima, Consul General of Japan in Vladivostok Koichiro Nakamura, as well as faculty members from both universities, Russian and Japanese companies.

“It was here, within the walls of FEFU, that the leaders of our countries, Vladimir Putin and Shinzo Abe, agreed on a joint effort to develop the Russian Far East. Implementation of the project is one of the steps towards accomplishing the task. We have a prototype in front of us, which combines science and the famous Japanese quality, but very soon another 3,000 square meters of such greenhouses will be built in Primorsky Krai,” said FEFU President Nikita Anisimov.

“The complex we are opening today is the first joint experience of our universities, and there will be other projects that will enable us to grow various berries, fruit and vegetable crops in the Far Eastern climate,” noted Katsumi Takano, President of Tokyo University of Agriculture.

“Universities, companies, invited specialists from various fields of activity were involved in constructing the greenhouse. A lot of work has been done, and I am glad that today we can start to grow berries using Japanese technologies,” said Representative Director & President of Hitachi Triple Win Corp. Masami Iijima.

The joint project of FEFU and Tokyo University of Agriculture is of great importance for the strengthening and development of cooperation between Russia and Japan, added Koichiro Nakamura, Consul General of Japan in Vladivostok.

The greenhouse complex on campus on Russky Island is an innovative one. The technologies used to create it are unique for both Russia and Japan. Light, but very durable construction will protect the plants even in winter - the climate necessary for strawberry growing and ripening will be maintained inside during strong winds and snowfalls.

Students from FEFU and Tokyo NODAI will be invited to work in the greenhouse under the guidance of instructors and experienced experts from both universities. In the future, it is also planned to build a nursery, greenhouse production of fruit and berry crops, in particular lettuce and tomatoes, storage facilities for finished products. Phytovirological support of the project will be provided by the Laboratory of Microorganism Ecology of the FEFU School of Biomedicine with the support of the Laboratory of Virology of the Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The goods will be sold both in the Far Eastern Federal District and exported to Japan.

A letter of intent to create an experimental greenhouse was signed in December 2018 by FEFU President Nikita Anisimov and Tokyo NODAI President Katsumi Takano. The parties agreed that the researchers of the two countries will determine how effective Japanese technologies are for growing berries and vegetables in the Far Eastern regions. The ready-made project was presented in March 2019 during the Foreign Investor Day in Vladivostok.