How a Farm in Sumy Region is Conducting Planting Despite Drones and Mines
In the village of Besedivka in the Sumy region, the agricultural enterprise LLC “Besedivske” has started its spring planting campaign, despite ongoing shelling, the threat of drones, and the presence of explosive objects in the fields. The farm cultivates about 3,000 hectares and grows a wide range of crops: wheat, spring barley, oats, beans, soybeans, corn, sunflowers, as well as watermelons and various vegetables for the third consecutive year. The season began with the sowing of mustard.
This is reported by AgroReview
Changes in Work Pace and Dangers in the Field
The farm’s director, Petro Postil, notes that the machinery is already working in the fields, but the conditions are significantly different from pre-war times. Tractor driver Ihor Zhmak, who is involved in sowing mustard, explains that due to the war and constant risks, the amount of work completed per shift has decreased: previously, they could sow up to 100 hectares a day, but now it is approximately 70. The reason is the necessity to stop at suspicious areas, wait for sappers, and avoid places where there may be mines or remnants of munitions.
“We have repeatedly encountered explosive objects while moving. Thanks to our sappers — they neutralized them. Shahed drones. The enemy does not allow us to work peacefully, neither day nor night,” Zhmak said.
Among the most dangerous incidents was one in the fall when a combine harvester ran over a munition with a full charge of 16 kilograms while harvesting sunflowers. Fortunately, there was no explosion.
Economic Reasons and Worker Motivation
Oleksiy Khomenko, who has worked at the farm for over 13 years, is applying fertilizers for mustard in a neighboring field. He recalls that drones often fly very low, creating danger, but work does not stop. The reason for such persistence is economic feasibility: if planting is not done now, there will be no harvest in the summer, and without it, the farm will be left without funds to support the team and prepare for the next season. Planting continues despite all threats, as this is a matter of survival in the challenging conditions of wartime.