In Sochi, the Subtropical Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SSC RAS) has launched a project to establish the country's first breeding and seed production center for subtropical crops. The initiative aims to strengthen national food security and support the development of domestic agriculture, according to the center's press service.
The new center will focus on cultivating crop varieties adapted to the climate of the Krasnodar region, including citrus fruits, feijoa, tea, persimmon, and hazelnuts. In 2025, the facility plans to distribute over 10,000 seedlings to farmers and horticulturists in Sochi and the surrounding area. It is also expected that the center will provide up to 40,000 cuttings annually.
Production will rely on the center's modern research and greenhouse infrastructure, which is scheduled for upgrades. The project also draws on SSC RAS's extensive collection of subtropical plant genetics, including over 150 citrus varieties and 1,200 hybrids accumulated over decades of scientific work.
Source: kubnews.ru