During the broadcast of the national marathon UArazom, the First Deputy Minister of the Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky told what percentage of the area in Ukraine this year will be sown and what is the most critical factor for the successful sowing campaign, “ProAgro Group” reports.
“There are two main blocks that need to be ensured for the sowing campaign to take place: the first and the most important is the factor of safety, and the second one is the availability of necessary resources,” said Taras Vysotsky.
According to him, before the sowing campaign begins, the farmers must make sure that the fields are not mined. If they are mined, they must be rapidly demined. For this purpose, the Ministry of Agriculture together with the State Emergency Situations Service has developed an appropriate explanation and disseminated it to all farmers and agrarians.
“Regarding the provision of necessary resources to the farmers, there are four main components: mineral fertilizers, seeds, crop protection products and fuel. The first three items agrarians in most cases had time to buy or pre-order before February 24, before the war began. So all this stuff is either already at the enterprises or to be finished”, – said the Deputy Minister.
Fuel/diesel remains the most critical factor.
“It has not been purchased for 80-90%, so now there is a daily coordination and supply of diesel to the farmers, actually “from the wheels”, including taking into account the recent destruction of oil depots and production facilities. So far everyone is coping with this factor. We are grateful to the farmers for understanding, fuel suppliers and everyone involved in this process. Now diesel shortage does not stop the pace of the sowing season, but this factor is critical – every day we monitor and support suppliers and farmers to make sure there is enough diesel for the sowing season, “- he stressed.
As forecasted by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, according to the pessimistic forecast we will be able to sow 70% of the area. If in Chernihiv, Sumy regions, where there are huge agricultural areas, it will be possible to clear everything in the coming weeks, the sowing area may increase to 80%.