Up to 10% of winter crops in Mykolaiv are damaged each year and have to be replanted

Up to 10% of winter crops are damaged each year in the Mykolaiv region. Illustrative photo: NikVesti

In the Mykolaiv region, a portion of winter crops is damaged every year, forcing farmers to replant their fields with spring crops.

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

According to him, up to 10% of winter crop areas in the region are damaged every year, after which they are resown. This year, significant waterlogging has been recorded in some areas, which could lead to crop losses. Losses are also being noted in winter pea crops due to unfavourable weather conditions.

«Generally, up to 10% of winter crop areas in the region are damaged every year, and farmers replant them with spring crops. It will be possible to assess the results of overwintering more objectively once plant growth has fully resumed,» noted Volodymyr Afanasiev.

He added that the future condition of the crops will depend on a number of factors, including agroclimatic conditions, crop management and soil moisture reserves. Currently, he said, soil moisture levels are sufficient and better than in previous years. Farmers are already applying fertiliser to winter crops and continue to monitor their condition.

As a reminder, in the Mykolaiv region this year, there are plans to sow 1.4 million hectares of crops, which is 100,000 hectares more than last year.

It was previously reported that 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 set to receive 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 to 80% of costs. In addition, other areas of the agricultural sector will be developed in the Mykolaiv region. In particular, this involves support for aquaculture in frontline territories: farmers will be compensated for up to 30% of the costs of fish stock.