It is planned to sow 1.4 million hectares in Mykolaiv region, — RMA

Plans are in place to sow 1.4 million hectares in the Mykolaiv region. Illustrative photo: NikVesti

In Mykolaiv region, there are plans to sow 1.4 million hectares of crops this year, which is 100,000 hectares more than last year.

This was announced on Wednesday, 18 March, during a briefing by Volodymyr Afanasiev, chief specialist of the agro-industrial production division of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration’s Department of Agro-Industrial Development, according to NikVesti.

According to him, the crop mix has not changed, with wheat, barley and sunflowers remaining the main crops.

«The situation in the crop production sector is as follows: farmers plan to sow 1.4 million hectares for this year’s harvest — that is 100,000 hectares more than last year. The crop structure has not changed significantly: the main crops traditionally remain wheat, barley, sunflowers, rapeseed, grain maize and peas. Soya, buckwheat, vegetables, potatoes and fodder crops are also grown, but on smaller areas,» said Volodymyr Afanasiev.

He added that 700,000 hectares have already been sown with winter crops, which is 5% more than last year.

«Specifically, 162,000 hectares of winter rapeseed, 414,000 hectares of winter wheat, 122,000 hectares of winter barley, and small areas of rye and winter peas. As for the assessment of the condition of winter crops, it can be said that the adverse weather conditions during the winter period did not cause significant damage. The results of a sample survey showed that the sharp drops in temperature during January–February did not critically affect winter crop plantings,» added Volodymyr Afanasiev.

As a reminder, in the Mykolaiv region, agricultural producers will be able to receive partial compensation for the costs of constructing and reconstructing irrigation systems — up to 50%, but not exceeding 26,500 hryvnias per hectare. Water user organisations are also eligible for reimbursement of up to 10% of the cost of reconstruction and major repairs to pumping stations.

For the region’s de-occupied territories, the level of support is planned to be increased — up to 80% of costs. In addition, other areas of the agricultural sector will be developed in the Mykolaiv region. In particular, this concerns support for aquaculture in frontline territories: farmers will be compensated for up to 30% of the costs of fish stocking material.