On August 3, at the Farmers’ Market on Rynok Square, everyone had the opportunity to taste and buy watermelons grown by two brothers near Lviv.
One of them is a veteran who defended Ukraine in the hottest spots of the frontline. And now he says that working with watermelons is like the best rehabilitation: both physical and psychological.
Watermelons are grown by brothers Andrii and Ivan Kisili in Zhovkva district. Ivan returned from the war and joined his brother’s business. He says that this is not only a good business, but also a great rehabilitation after three years of service at the front.
“Why watermelon? We like watermelons, and I liked it. And also because there was a shortage of watermelon in Ukraine due to the full-scale war. I devote all my time to it,” says Ivan, a veteran. He says that he and his brother don’t limit themselves to watermelons, as they grow potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, peppers, raspberries, and even corn. And this year, for the first time, they also planted melon, and they have a good harvest.
“The main thing is gourds. It’s watermelon, but this year we tried to plant melon for the first time and managed to grow it, and we’re getting a good harvest. In addition, we also plant young potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, some raspberries, a little corn, beets, and peppers. But most of all, we plant watermelons, 3 hectares of them,” the soldier adds.
The day before, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi personally handed over 300 kilograms of watermelons grown by brothers Andriy and Ivan Kisil to the soldiers of the 103rd separate territorial defense brigade. He also invited the brothers to the Farmer’s Fair in Lviv.