Bashkortostan Couple Grows Over 200 Grape Varieties in Home Greenhouse

In the village of Pavlovka in Nuriman district, Bashkortostan, Raziya and Rafat Ibrahimov grow more than 200 grape varieties in a large greenhouse covering their entire yard. Rafat Rafaelevich, who spent 38 years at Gazprom before retiring, says his interest in working the land dates back to childhood.

He began with cuttings obtained from relatives and acquaintances, first growing the Isabella variety. When open-air cultivation did not succeed, he built a greenhouse. He now creates new varieties by grafting, carrying out 120 grafts three years ago, 400 last year and 300 this year. To compensate for insufficient sunlight, he bought sodium lamp projectors this year.

In winter, he covers the plants with geotextile mats filled with polystyrene instead of carrying snow into the greenhouse. At an exhibition in Kazan in 2023, he won three nominations with 78 varieties. He says his aim was first his family, but now he wants to share his experience and show that grapes can be grown in the republic. His wife, children and six grandchildren support him.