Missile Hangars are Used for growing Mushrooms in Belarus

11/05/2014

Missile Hangars are Used for growing Mushrooms in Belarus

Once these hangars were used to accommodate a Soviet missile base, today they serve for growing mushrooms. This farm became the largest in Belorussia, it supplies ten tons of mushrooms monthly to trading networks of the republic and neighboring countries. Right now you are welcome inside the post to see how mushrooms grow in specially created conditions.

Missile Hangars for growing Mushrooms in Belarus

Working mycelium checks on private farms, arranged inside the hangar at a former Soviet missile base in the village Minojty 160 km west of Minsk. © Vasily Fedossenko / Reuters

These hangars had been occupied by nuclear warheads until 1997 when the military unit was disbanded. The empty place was bought by one local businessman who decided to use it for growing mushrooms.

Working lays mycelium on a private farm in the village Minojty. © Vasily Fedossenko / Reuters

The farm is located in Minoity village, 160 km to the west of Minsk.

Workflow on a private farm in the village of mushroom Minojty. © Vasily Fedossenko / Reuters

Specialists claim the background radiation here is even lower than in the closest populated areas. Here they implement the full cycle of production – from preparation of soil to growing mycelium. The former command bunker is used as a lab.