Drought destroys crops in Mykolaiv region: corn is being mown and sunflowers are dying

Photo: _nikvesti

Southern Ukraine is experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent years. In the Mykolaiv region, the rainless period lasts for up to 50 days, leading to crop losses and massive crop destruction. Due to the heat, lack of moisture and the spread of diseases, farmers are forced to plough some fields.

This is stated in the reports of the Ministry of Economy and agrometeorological data cited by Kurkul.com.

In a number of districts of Mykolaiv region, corn has not entered the brooming phase, it has been mowed for green fodder or completely destroyed. Sunflower crops have also been affected, with dry rot and phomosis.

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Oleksii Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, said that farms in Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Donetsk regions are the most affected. According to forecasts, the area of crops lost in Kherson region may exceed 100,000 hectares.

The impact of the drought on the agricultural sector was discussed at a meeting between the Ministry of Economy and representatives of regional administrations. The proposals included the launch of irrigation systems, tax breaks and compensation for costs per hectare of land.

The situation in Odesa region is also critical. Due to the heat, dry winds and lack of rain in the central and southern parts of the region, crops are wilting and drying out. Some of the crops have already been re-sown.

In addition to the abnormal weather, the harvest in southern Ukraine is also threatened by locust infestations. Locust infestations have been reported in Kherson, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia regions.

According to farmers, this year's campaign is taking place amidst drought and severe weather changes. Some of the fields used for sowing were demined only this year.

It is also worth noting that new temperature records were set in Ukraine over three days - 25, 26 and 27 July. One of them was set in Mykolaiv: On 26 July, the temperature reached 39.1°C. This is the highest figure for this date for the entire period of observation.