Hector generates approximately twenty thousand dollars in income.

In the heart of Belarus, Ruslan Boyko embarked on an exciting journey into blueberry cultivation. His passion for this venture was fueled by extensive research, YouTube videos, seminars in Russia and Western Europe. However, as he delved deeper, he noticed a gap in the information available specifically for farmers in the Belarusian region looking to cultivate blue pears.

Before embarking on this business, it's crucial to consider pessimistic development scenarios to prepare for the challenges that may arise. The peak of blueberry cultivation in Belarus is yet to be reached, and there's a risk of oversupply leading to a drop in prices. This "valley of death"—a concept in business referring to a period when a business faces serious financial and operational challenges, with money invested but stable profitability not yet achieved—is something aspiring blueberry farmers should keep in mind.

Ruslan's findings reveal that the yield of blueberries is influenced by two factors: the amount produced and the price of the berry on the market at the time of sale. To speed up the process and start harvesting berries in 2-3 years, higher investments are required due to the purchase of mature planting material.

A hectare of blueberries, with a yield of 2.5 kilograms of berries per bush and 3,000 bushes per hectare, can generate a revenue of $30,000 per hectare. Ruslan recommends using about 200 liters of planting substrate per linear meter of field, with at least 60% peat.

However, it's important to note that blueberries do not bear fruit immediately, and a commercial harvest is typically obtained in the third or fourth year. Mistakes in blueberry cultivation can push back the harvest date.

The initial investment for a 1-hectare blueberry plantation is approximately $25,000, including planting material, planting substrate, fertilizers, fence construction, irrigation setup, and worker salaries. Annual maintenance costs for weeding, fertilization, etc., are around $3,000 to $6,000.

Establishing a sales channel for blueberries before starting cultivation is essential to make a profit. In season, blueberries can be sold for approximately $4 per kilogram, with the price most affected by their quantity on the market at the time of sale.

Ruslan Boyko, with 6 hectares of land, has dedicated 5 hectares to blueberry fields. He used less peat and cheaper saplings for his field, planning to add more peat over time. He even founded a company named "Bluecoin" specializing in blueberry cultivation, nursery, laboratory for producing saplings, and equipment for calibrating and packaging berries.

Engaging in blueberry farming in Belarus is not without its challenges, as any culture requires care. Before planting blueberries, several key questions need to be resolved, such as the desired time spent on planting the plantation and the corresponding investment level. Ruslan's initial preparations for launching his own business included figuring out resources needed, finding a land plot, collecting necessary documents, deciding on specialists to attract, and planning the plot for blueberry planting.

Approaching blueberry cultivation thoughtfully can lead to a profitable and enjoyable business. With careful planning and consideration of potential challenges, aspiring blueberry farmers in Belarus can join Ruslan Boyko in this exciting venture.