Two employees of EkoNiva’s Ryazan subdivision have been awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. Milking machine operator Nataliya Pryakhina was given a certificate of merit, and machine operator Aleksandr Fatkin – a commendation.

Nataliya was born and raised in Podbolotye village, Pitelino district, where she has been working in agriculture for over 30 years.

‘I have never wanted to leave my village’, says Nataliya. ‘Everything is so familiar here. I started working as a cow milker. The profession kept developing before my eyes. I remember how much hard manual labour there used to be, but new equipment was introduced gradually, the process became more mechanised. And the name of the profession has changed. Now, we are milking machine operators! Currently, I work on the parallel milking parlour.’

Nataliya joined EkoNiva in 2017, when the company launched Podbolotye dairy. From year to year, she showed consistently high performance, and her work was repeatedly recognised with diplomas and commendations, both on the part of the district and region. She was among the front-runners of the farming sector of Ryazan oblast distinguished by the Board of Honour. The certificate of merit from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation became Nataliya's first federal award.

‘Today, after many years devoted to agriculture, I understand that this is not just a job, but a calling’, says Nataliya. ‘I plan to continue working as long as possible, as we have all the conditions for this on our farm.’

Machine operator Aleksandr Fatkin was employed at EkoNiva four years ago, having already gained extensive experience of working with machinery. His career in agriculture began on Sakhalin Island.

‘I first sat behind the wheel of a tractor when I was seven years old’, shares Aleksandr. ‘I knew back then that I had a heart for it! I studied to become a tractor driver and went to work on a pig farm in my native village of Tymovskoye. And then I decided to move to Central Russia and ended up in Chuchkovo district of Ryazan oblast, where I have been living for 25 years now.’

Aleksandr has enough tasks all year round. During the season of field operations, he participates in sowing, tilling and harvesting. In winter, Aleksandr works on Avangard dairy farm. Whatever he does, his colleagues know that he will complete his job perfectly.

Over the years, Aleksandr has had many professional awards, but the commendation from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation is the first federal one.

‘To be honest, I didn't believe it at first when I found out about the award’, says Aleksandr. ‘I’m very pleased! It means nothing in my life has been in vain; it means I’m exactly where I should be!’