Agrarians of Kirovohrad Region Increase Sowing Despite Losses of Winter Crops and Rising Costs
This is reported by AgroReview
Agricultural producers in the Kirovohrad region are demonstrating stable progress in the spring sowing campaign, effectively reaching last year’s levels. As of early April, 89% of the planned areas for early grains and legumes have already been sown, despite the sowing start being delayed by 11 days due to excessive soil moisture. This year, a total of 62.9 thousand hectares are planned for spring crops in the region, with barley occupying the largest share.
Main Results and Plans for the Sowing Campaign
By early April, agrarians had already sown 56.1 thousand hectares, including 33.5 thousand hectares of spring barley and 18.6 thousand hectares of peas. Additionally, sowing of spring wheat, niche crops, and vegetables is underway, although the pace in the vegetable and potato sectors is below planned indicators. Looking ahead, the largest areas in the Kirovohrad region will be allocated for corn — 285 thousand hectares and sunflowers — over 647 thousand hectares.
Losses of Winter Crops and Current Challenges
Winter weather conditions have negatively impacted the state of winter crops. Due to severe frosts and ice crust, about 13 thousand hectares of winter grains and 9 thousand hectares of rapeseed have perished. Currently, only 75% of winter grains and 68% of rapeseed are in good and satisfactory condition, while the remaining areas require reseeding or additional care.
“Among the key challenges for agrarians are rising fuel prices and a shortage of labor due to mobilization. The region’s need for diesel fuel alone for April is about 10 thousand tons, and fully contracting these volumes is difficult. Under such conditions, farms are forced to plan fieldwork and financing more flexibly.”
Another important factor remains the labor shortage caused by mobilization, as well as difficulties in purchasing fuel — the need for diesel fuel alone reaches 10 thousand tons in April, complicating the full provision of resources for farms.
To support the agricultural sector, the government is implementing additional programs, including preferential lending “5-7-9”, compensation for agricultural machinery costs, grants for the construction of vegetable storage facilities, and a new agricultural insurance program with partial compensation for insurance premiums. These measures are expected to help agricultural producers respond more effectively to climatic and economic risks and ensure stability in the agricultural sector.