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Khlyut, Dagestan, 2016.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter VIII: Crop farming
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Reed, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter VIII: Crop farming
NUTS GROWING
NUTS GROWING
THE CAUCASUS
The village of Nij and its districts is one of the main hazelnut-growing regions in Azerbaijan.
We found out that sellers and buyers of nuts had gathered there when we got to the village. All trades took place right in the street.
The CAUCASUS
The village of Nij and its districts is one of the main hazelnut-growing regions in Azerbaijan.
We found out that sellers and buyers of nuts had gathered there when we got to the village. All trades took place right in the street.
Nij, Azerbaijan, 2016.
SOLTAN-NOKHA
Khayal was born in Sultan-Nokha village but lives in the city of Qabala. He owns several hazelnut bushes, which are looked after by his relatives, who in return receive part of the income from the sale of the nuts.
SOLTAN-NOKHA
Khayal was born in Sultan-Nokha village but lives in the city of Qabala. He owns several hazelnut bushes, which are looked after by his relatives, who in return receive part of the income from the sale of the nuts.
Soltan-Nokha, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Soltan-Nokha, Azerbaijan, 2016.
The sale of nuts brings substantial income to the population of the Zagatala district. The Azerbaijani government started to pay more attention to agriculture in the last decade. There are plans to resume tobacco cultivation in the region, as was the case in tsarist and Soviet times.
The sale of nuts brings substantial income to the population of the Zagatala district. The Azerbaijani government started to pay more attention to agriculture in the last decade. There are plans to resume tobacco cultivation in the region, as was the case in tsarist and Soviet times.
MUKHAKH
This garden was created about 15 years ago: first, the stones were removed, then the soil was brought in and hazelnut seedlings were taken from other gardens. While the trees are young, they produce fewer nuts than adult bushes. Usually nuts are harvested in two stages with a break of five days. After that, anyone can come and collect the remaining nuts for themselves.
MUKHAKH
This garden was created about 15 years ago: first, the stones were removed, then the soil was brought in and hazelnut seedlings were taken from other gardens. While the trees are young, they produce fewer nuts than adult bushes. Usually nuts are harvested in two stages with a break of five days. After that, anyone can come and collect the remaining nuts for themselves.
Mukhakh, Azerbaijan, 2016.
There is plenty of walnut shell in front of the house, which is used as fuel to heat the house. Mukhakh, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Mukhakh, Azerbaijan, 2016.
There is plenty of walnut shell in front of the house, which is used as fuel to heat the house. Mukhakh, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Mukhakh, Azerbaijan, 2016.
WINE MAKING
The ALPS
Valais is the main wine region of Switzerland.
Jean-Jérôme's grandmother earned a good fortune from grapes, now this work has lost value — at least it is difficult to earn enough to live on with a small plot. However, the tradition continues: Both the children and the grandchildren continue to work in the vineyards, but already in their free time besides their main occupation.
WINE MAKING
The ALPS
Valais is the main wine region of Switzerland.
Jean-Jérôme's grandmother earned a good fortune from grapes, now this work has lost value — at least it is difficult to earn enough to live on with a small plot. However, the tradition continues: Both the children and the grandchildren continue to work in the vineyards, but already in their free time besides their main occupation.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
2021 was a lean year due to the cold and wet summer: Only about 10% of the usual amount of grapes were harvested. Someone was luckier, but still got no more than a quarter of the usual. Because of the constant rain, the vine was sick and bore few berries. According to Patricia, the "lazy" neighbors, who did not cut off the leaves over the grapes in time, got a better harvest — the leaves protected the berries from moisture.
2021 was a lean year due to the cold and wet summer: Only about 10% of the usual amount of grapes were harvested. Someone was luckier, but still got no more than a quarter of the usual. Because of the constant rain, the vine was sick and bore few berries. According to Patricia, the "lazy" neighbors, who did not cut off the leaves over the grapes in time, got a better harvest — the leaves protected the berries from moisture.
The vine grows on very steep slopes, it is even difficult to get between the grapes and it is almost impossible to use special equipment — it can work only in certain areas. That is, the vine is looked after and harvested by people manually.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
The vine grows on very steep slopes, it is even difficult to get between the grapes and it is almost impossible to use special equipment — it can work only in certain areas. That is, the vine is looked after and harvested by people manually.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
First, the grapes are collected in plastic boxes, then they are taken below to the cars that are parked on the roads along the vineyards. From the vineyard, the harvest is taken directly to the cellar.
First, the grapes are collected in plastic boxes, then they are taken below to the cars that are parked on the roads along the vineyards. From the vineyard, the harvest is taken directly to the cellar.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
The day we arrived at the vineyard, Jean-Jérôme's family worked from six in the morning. By one o'clock in the afternoon, they finished the harvest in order to make it to the cellar. After work, we had a snack in the back seat of the car: сoffee, cold milk, croissants, cheese that we bought in Catherine's store.
The day we arrived at the vineyard, Jean-Jérôme's family worked from six in the morning. By one o'clock in the afternoon, they finished the harvest in order to make it to the cellar. After work, we had a snack in the back seat of the car: сoffee, cold milk, croissants, cheese that we bought in Catherine's store.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
All owners of vineyards collect grapes according to the same scheme: they make a contract with the winery and deliver the berries there. The entire harvest of the neighbors is processed together: red, white, rosé and sparkling wines are produced. The owners of grapes are paid in money according to the weight of the berries handed over. They also receive bottles of finished products.
All owners of vineyards collect grapes according to the same scheme: They make a contract with the winery and deliver the berries there. The entire harvest of the neighbors is processed together: red, white, rosé and sparkling wines are produced. The owners of grapes are paid in money according to the weight of the berries handed over. They also receive bottles of finished products.
Finbec cellar, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
The old grape presses are used as decorations in the streets. In the cellars, all the equipment for processing the harvest is much more modern.
The old grape presses are used as decorations in the streets. In the cellars, all the equipment for processing the harvest is much more modern.
The grape press was turned into a flower bed. Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
The grape press was turned into a flower bed. Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
The sugar level at the harvest acceptance is measured by a refractometer.
The sugar level at the harvest acceptance is measured by a refractometer.
The contract with the winery is exclusive — you cannot hand over half of the harvest in one winery and half in the other.
The contract with the winery is exclusive — you cannot hand over half of the harvest in one winery and half in the other.
The contract prescribes how many grapes the owners may harvest from one square meter. Therefore, the vine is pruned in the harvest year before ripening. The more berries hanging on the vine, the lower the sugar content, which means that the grapes are cheaper and their quality is lower. Jean-Jérôme's family recently changed wineries — they now work with Finbec, a small organic wine producer near Saviese. Grapes are received according to a schedule: a certain variety on a certain day.
The contract prescribes how many grapes the owners may harvest from one square meter. Therefore, the vine is pruned in the harvest year before ripening. The more berries hanging on the vine, the lower the sugar content, which means that the grapes are cheaper and their quality is lower. Jean-Jérôme's family recently changed wineries — they now work with Finbec, a small organic wine producer near Saviese. Grapes are received according to a schedule: a certain variety on a certain day.
Saviese, Finbec cellar, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Saviese, Finbec cellar, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Saviese, Finbec cellar, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Saviese, Finbec cellar, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Wine is produced, fermented, and packaged in the cellars. It is also stored there.
Wine is produced, fermented, and packaged in the cellars. It is also stored there.
Saviese, Finbec cellar, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
CORN
THE CAUCASUS
Corn is one of the most important agricultural crops for the Caucasus region.
Corn is one of the most important agricultural crops for the Caucasus region.
In recent years, it has been grown in Azerbaijan and even exported to neighboring countries. Austrian-Turkish equipment is installed at the mill where corn flour is made.
CORN
THE CAUCASUS
Corn is one of the most important agricultural crops for the Caucasus region.
In recent years, it has been grown in Azerbaijan and even exported to neighboring countries. Austrian-Turkish equipment is installed at the mill where corn flour is made.
Mukhakh, Azerbaijan, 2016.
Mukhakh, Azerbaijan, 2016.
THE ALPS
Corn and wheat were once the main agricultural crops in Switzerland as well. Grain grew on the slopes, and then it was ground in water mills high in the mountains.
The cultivation of wheat on the terraces was replaced by the cultivation of vines in the middle of the last century in the canton of Valais. The production of wine turned out to be much more profitable after the Second World War. Almost all the highland mills were dismantled. Only a few have survived in the form of open-air museums. One of these mills is located in Ftan in the canton of Grisons. More precisely, these are two mills in one. One was built at the beginning of the XVII century, and the second was added to it in 1832.
THE ALPS
Corn and wheat were once the main agricultural crops in Switzerland as well. Grain grew on the slopes, and then it was ground in water mills high in the mountains.
The cultivation of wheat on the terraces was replaced by the cultivation of vines in the middle of the last century in the canton of Valais. The production of wine turned out to be much more profitable after the Second World War. Almost all the highland mills were dismantled. Only a few have survived in the form of open-air museums. One of these mills is located in Ftan in the canton of Grisons. More precisely, these are two mills in one. One was built at the beginning of the XVII century, and the second was added to it in 1832.
In other places, millstones set into the wall remind us of the existence of mills, as in the village of Andeer.
Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
In other places, millstones set into the wall remind us of the existence of mills, as in the village of Andeer.
Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
THE CAUCASUS
The main occupation of residents around the Dagestani village of Akhty is the cultivation and sale of cabbage. It is a major competitor to the well-known Levashinskaya cabbage in Dagestan.
Locals claim that their cabbage is more tender and better for pickling and salads. In order to solve the problem of selling, many families buy trucks and bring the cabbage to the cities themselves.
VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
THE CAUCASUS
The main occupation of residents around the Dagestani village of Akhty is the cultivation and sale of cabbage. It is a major competitor to the well-known Levashinskaya cabbage in Dagestan.
Locals claim that their cabbage is more tender and better for pickling and salads. In order to solve the problem of selling, many families buy trucks and bring the cabbage to the cities themselves.
Lutkun and Khlyut, Dagestan, 2016.
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Lutkun and Khlyut, Dagestan, 2016.
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Lutkun and Khlyut, Dagestan, 2016.
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Lutkun and Khlyut, Dagestan, 2016.
Lutkun and Khlyut, Dagestan, 2016.
THE ALPS
Besides grapes, all major agricultural crops are grown in Valais, especially fruits. Cider is made from apples — but it is not nearly as popular as wine.
THE ALPS
Besides grapes, all major agricultural crops are grown in Valais, especially fruits. Cider is made from apples — but it is not nearly as popular as wine.
Gardens and fields in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Gardens and fields in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
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Anthropogeos. 2021
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