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Olkhovtsy. Shrimp farm.

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17 Central Street, Olkhovtsy village, Lyakhovichi district, Brest region

Description

In Belarus, which has no access to the sea, the first farm for breeding giant freshwater shrimps was opened in the village of Olkhovtsy. Vladimir Gotovchits, an ex-Muscovite, converted the former school building into a high-tech production facility with a closed-circuit water supply system. Rosenberg shrimps are grown here at a temperature of +29°C, creating ideal conditions for them, from multi-stage water filtration to Mozart's music. So far, the project is working as an eco-farm and a tourist attraction, but there are plans to supply live shrimp to restaurants. This is a story about how perseverance and love for the motherland turn an adventure into reality.

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Paid

Paid

Gastronomic

Gastronomic

Zoological

Zoological

With children

With children

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Reviews to the Place

1

Ольга Ерёменко

27.02.2026

Not a single potato: In the Belarusian village of Olkhovtsy, the first shrimp farm was opened, and the country will be fed with this delicacy.

Can a landlocked country successfully grow tropical shrimp? Until recently, it seemed like a joke from the category of "Belarusian shrimps", but today in the Lyakhovichi district of the Brest region this myth is turning into reality. In the village of Olkhovtsy, local enthusiast Vladimir Gotovchits opened the first eco-farm in Belarus for breeding giant freshwater shrimps, turning the building of a former rural school into a high-tech production facility.


From a top manager to an aquafarmer.

The history of this farm is a classic example of returning to the roots and searching for a life's work. Vladimir Gotovchits, an economist by training, has lived in Moscow for more than ten years, where he made a successful career from a development manager to a managing director of a large company. Despite the stability and prospects in the Russian capital, he was always drawn to his homeland. "My soul is in place here," he admits.


After returning to Belarus, Vladimir thought about his own business. He wanted to produce food, but not the trivial, from his point of view, growing vegetables or strawberries, but something unique. Studying global trends, he drew attention to the rapidly growing popularity of aquaculture and crustacean breeding. That's how an idea was born, which at first seemed adventurous: to grow shrimps in the center of Belarus.


The infrastructure was quickly found - an empty old school building in the village of Olkhovtsy. Its reconstruction and re-equipment took about three years and more than one million Belarusian rubles. These funds are Vladimir's own savings and the help of a Russian investor who believed in the daring project. Two private wells were drilled on the farm, and a sophisticated water treatment, filtration, and heating system was installed to create an ideal environment for heat-loving inhabitants.


The giant Rosenberg shrimp.

For his experiment, the farmer chose the Rosenberg shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), one of the largest and most valuable freshwater species in the world. In natural conditions, living in the waters of Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, these crustaceans can reach 30 centimeters in length and weigh up to 500 grams. Their meat is appreciated for the absence of a characteristic fishy smell, delicate texture and a rich set of B vitamins and trace elements.


The first batch of fry was delivered at risk from the Astrakhan region of Russia. The road, more than one and a half thousand kilometers long, took 30 hours of non-stop travel so that the valuable cargo would not perish. Unfortunately, the first experiment was unsuccessful - a batch of three thousand fry died due to a sharp jump in the level of nitrites in the water. It was a harsh lesson that showed how fragile the ecosystem is and how capricious these creatures are. However, Vladimir did not give up and bought a new batch, taking into account the mistakes.


Life under Mozart and strict control.

Today, the farmer admits that he knows some of his charges "by sight". The conditions of their detention are as close to ideal as possible. The main task is to maintain a stable ecosystem in a closed-loop water supply system.


Vladimir's working day begins with loading pellets into a boiler to keep the room warm. The water temperature in the pools should be constant - at the level of +28-29 ° C. Even a small deviation can cause shrimp stress.

Water from its own wells undergoes multi-stage purification: from mechanical filters to ultraviolet disinfection, after which it is enriched with oxygen and essential minerals. Every day, the farmer analyzes the water for nitrite content, pH level and other parameters.


In addition to physical comfort, Vladimir also takes care of the mental state of the crustaceans. Following the theory of the positive effects of classical music on living organisms, he turns on Mozart for his pets to see if it accelerates their growth and development.


The shrimp diet is also diverse and age-dependent. Fry are fed with small bloodworms, and adults receive mixed feed, fish, and even eggs. To avoid the cannibalism inherent in these crustaceans, shrimps are regularly sorted by size and placed in different aquariums.


From manufacturing to tourism.

Initially, Vladimir did not plan to let outsiders into his farm, but the huge public interest forced him to change his plans. Today the Krill.by eco-farm in Olkhovtsy is not only a production facility, but also a point of attraction for tourists. Special days have been allocated for visitors, a demonstration line has been created, and a small cafe is open.


There are plans to conduct tastings of fresh shrimp, which will taste strikingly different from the thawed imported product. However, the breeding process has not yet been adjusted to a massive scale, and tastings have to be carried out without harming the population. The farmer expects to reach full-fledged sales and treats by the spring of 2026.


Vladimir is not going to compete with the giants that supply frozen products from Southeast Asia to stores. This would be unprofitable due to the high costs of electricity and heating. Its goal is an exclusive live shrimp market for restaurants, cafes and gourmets who are willing to pay for freshness and uniqueness. At full capacity, the farm will be able to produce up to 250-300 kg of live shrimp per month.


A story with a taste of hope.

Vladimir Gotovchits's project is not just a business, but a story about how courage, perseverance and love for your native land allow you to create something new and amazing, challenging stereotypes. He has already received support from local residents and authorities, and his social media accounts are gaining thousands of followers who follow the life of the unusual farm.


The shrimp farm in the Lyakhovichi district is a small miracle that proves that with desire and diligence, even in a country without a sea, you can grow a real oceanic delicacy. And now Belarusian shrimps are no longer a joke.

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