EkoNiva supports Russian extreme sportsman and world traveler Fyodor Konyukhov in his research trip NOVA
1 June 2021 News from the Company
On 20 May 2021, the first meeting between traveler Fyodor Konyukhov and EkoNiva Group President Stefan Dürr took place at the Ulanovo farm and MosMedyn Dairy in Kaluga Oblast. On the tour through EkoNiva's production facilities, both the importance of sustainable management and the details of the upcoming NOVA expedition, the world's first solo solar-powered crossing of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, were discussed.
Fyodor Konyukhov is a Russian traveler, writer, artist, priest, member of the Russian Geographical Society, and one of the most experienced solo sailors. On his account there are more than 50 unique expeditions and more than 20 world records. During his life, Fyodor spent more than 4.5 years alone on the sea and covered more than 300,000 nautical miles. But the traveler does not stop here.
As part of the NOVA expedition, Fyodor Konyukhov plans to traverse the Pacific and Atlantic oceans alone in 2021-2022. These will be the first solo ocean crossings using solar energy and electric propulsion. Technologically, this project is unique in the world. During the trip, Fyodor Konyukhov will keep a video diary and monitor the ocean's pollution by plastic waste, noting each day the presence or absence of trash in the seawater. Scientific support for the expedition is provided by the Shirshov Institute of Ocean Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. One of the partners will also be EkoNiva.
"For our team, Fyodor Konyukhov's research trip represents a unique opportunity to raise public awareness about the problem of microplastic pollution in the oceans," says Stefan Dürr. "Sometimes it seems that environmental disasters, if they don't happen right on our doorstep, don't affect us in any way. But talking to such a legendary traveler and seafarer made me realize again that everything in the world is interconnected. In my opinion, concern for the purity of the ocean is a concern for the health of the planet. I admire Fyodor's enthusiasm and wish him that he will realize all his plans. And he is always welcome on our farms!"
It is important to mention that EkoNiva will support the NOVA expedition not only financially, but also medially, including through joint activities with retail partners.
In addition, EkoNiva will have the opportunity to conduct interviews with Fyodor Konyukhov during his journey when he is in the middle of the ocean. We will also provide the traveler with EkoNiva milk throughout the project. Fjodor tells us that he likes to drink coffee with our milk in the morning because he has personally convinced himself of the high standards in the production of our milk products and the gentle treatment of the animals.
"At our meeting, I learned from Stefan Dürr that EkoNiva produces natural dairy products according to the principle 'from field to counter' and also offers daily excursions to its farms," says Fyodor Konyukhov. "I care about such open contact when the brand has a friendly approach to consumers; the production facility looks neat and really has nothing to hide from prying eyes. Nowadays, it is not easy for a company of any size to make a real contribution to protecting the environment and the climate: the impact of such activities is not always immediately visible or noticeable, but it is important to work in this direction. I am pleased that sustainability for EkoNiva is not just words, but action."
The expedition is scheduled to start in Chile, in the port of Valparaíso, on 12 December 2021, the 70th birthday of Fyodor Konyukhov. On that very day, the traveler plans to begin the crossing of the South Pacific, which is estimated to take 100-120 days. The planned destination is in Australia at the Brisbane Yacht Club.