The autumn sowing campaign has begun in Ukraine. According to the forecast of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council, it is expected to reduce the area under winter crops by at least 30%, according to “ProAgro Group”.
The UAC notes that the main reasons that encourage farmers to reduce sown areas are the high cost of mineral fertilizers, problems with the sale of grain, as well as too low purchase prices for agricultural products.
At the same time, a number of farmers plan to further reduce the area of winter crops. Thus, the head of the farm “Rodina 2007” from Kyiv region Valery Martyshko will reduce autumn crops by 50% due to problems with grain sales.
“Less sowing in autumn – less costs will be incurred. We will apply fertilizers at a minimum, because they are very expensive, and it would be good if there were targeted financing programs for fertilizers. We have our own seed material, we are preparing 320 hectares for sowing, and earlier in autumn we sowed about 600 hectares. The rest of the area will be left under fallow, which always pays off: there are fewer risks, and the yield of wheat gives an increase of 20% – we have already had such experience in the farm. Leaving the land under steam, at least, we do not lose anything”, – the farmer shared his plans.
