First papaya fruit obtained as part of experiment by Russian Academy for Development of Subtropical Agriculture

SOCHI. Dec 26 (Interfax) - The first papaya fruits have been obtained in the experimental greenhouses of the Academy for the Development of Subtropical Agriculture autonomous non-profit organization, the organization's general director Andrei Platonov told Interfax.

"In the academy's first greenhouse, which is located in Abkhazia, active papaya fruiting is currently taking place," Platonov said.

This is an international project involving scientists from Russia and Abkhazia, he said.

"As part of the international project, the academy has created three greenhouses where 14 varieties of bananas, four varieties of papayas, and a tropical plant greenhouse [for agrotourism development] are being cultivated," he said.

One greenhouse is located in Abkhazia, and two more (farm-based) ones are in Sochi. The area of each greenhouse is 600 square meters. An experiment is being conducted in all three greenhouses. In accordance with the technology for cultivating tropical crops, temperature and humidity are maintained, and plant development is monitored.

"In the second greenhouse, located in Sochi, active banana flowering has begun. Fruit is expected in six months," he said.

The project is overseen by the Russian Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture and the Abkhazian Academy of Sciences.