The vertical microgreen farm established in Kyiv, Ukraine, by partners Oleksandr Bilyak and Roman Mykhalevych has been operating since the onset of the full-scale invasion, continuously improving its technologies, reports EastFruit.
The entrepreneurs rented their production facility on November 1, 2022, assembling their first shelving unit primarily by flashlight. Over three years, the farm’s capacity has expanded to over 50,000 trays, yielding approximately 2,500 kg of greens per month. The partners continue to actively scale up their production. Their business also gained momentum after winning the “Do Your Own” business idea competition organized by the MHP-Community Charitable Foundation, securing a 100,000 UAH grant, which they invested in equipment to streamline farm operations.
A combination of industry knowledge and business expertise helps drive their success. Oleksandr Bilyak holds a degree in agronomy and has also studied electronics, while Roman has experience in business development and lending across various projects. They apply their academic backgrounds and professional expertise to their venture. Today, their microgreen farm operates under the “Green Vitamin CityFarm” brand, which they believe is one of the largest in Ukraine.
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Growing Demand for Microgreens
“The popularity of healthy and clean eating is constantly rising, which in turn fuels the demand for microgreens,” says Oleksandr Bilyak. “This type of greenery is not only highly nutritious but is also grown without pesticides, using only untreated seeds, light, water, and small amounts of organic fertilizers.”
The farm specializes in pea, sunflower, and radish microgreens, the most sought-after varieties among consumers. Pea microgreens are particularly aromatic, offering a sweet and flavorful taste. While the partners initially experimented with 15 different crops, they ultimately focused on the most popular ones. They also highlight that their microgreens maintain a fresh appearance, do not spoil quickly, and do not flower, which could otherwise compromise quality.
Located in a 4.5-meter-high underground facility, the farm benefits from natural protection against common plant diseases and pests, which struggle to survive at such depths.
AI-Powered Vertical Farming: The Next Step
“In the global food industry, microgreens are often referred to as a superfood, as they contain up to 100 times more enzymes than mature plants, thanks to their active growth stage,” explains Bilyak. “I personally include microgreens in my diet every day—my wife and children love them too.”
The microgreen production process is complex and investment-intensive, requiring steps such as seed soaking, sowing, heating, providing light, harvesting, packaging, and delivering to supermarkets or restaurants.
“There is currently no universally sustainable technology for growing microgreens on urban farms, as noted in a UNDP report. It’s not something that can simply be purchased,” adds Roman Mykhalevych. “We have successfully developed and fine-tuned a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable microgreen cultivation technology. Our next goal is to push automation even further—not just for growing but across the entire cycle, from purchasing raw materials to managing orders and delivering products to end consumers.”
Looking ahead, the partners envision a future where artificial intelligence (AI) will manage the majority of processes on their vertical farm. Their goal is to allow AI to handle operations autonomously, while humans oversee and fine-tune its performance when needed.
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