Donetsk and Luhansk regions ready for sowing campaign

“Given the favorable weather conditions this year, Donetsk and Luhansk regions have launched spring field works. Thus, Donetsk region started sowing of early spring grain crops, having already planted the area of 17.6 thousand hectares, or 13% of the forecast. Luhansk region is actively preparing for sowing and conducting additional fertilizing of winter grain crops”, Oleksii Pavlenko, the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, informed in an interview with the “5th Channel”.

In particular, in Luhansk region, additional fertilizing of winter grain crops has been held in the area of 90.6 thousand hectares (52% of the forecast) while winter rape has been fertilized by 90% in the territory of 1.3 thousand hectares. In Donetsk region, additional fertilizing of winter grain crops has been applied in the area of 218.0 thousand hectares (69% of the forecast), winter rape has been fertilized by 49% in the territory of 2.9 thousand hectares.

The inspection evidences that in Donetsk region winter grain crops have germinated in the area of 314.2 thousand ha or in 93% of the sown territory, winter rape – in the area of 5.9 thousand hectares (61% of the sown), in Luhansk region – in the area of 176 thousand ha (89% of the sown) and 1.5 thousand hectares (74% of the sown), respectively.

“In total, preliminary figures indicate that the whole sown area of agricultural crops in all categories of farming enterprises for 2016 harvest in Donetsk region is expected to reach 930.5 thousand ha. Grain crops are expected to be planted by all categories of farms in the area of 567.4 thousand ha, or 103% of the level of 2015. According to the data from the regions, the expected availability of small-grain spring crops seeds  for 2016 harvest accounts for 100% of the needed volume”, Oleksii Pavlenko noted.

“In Luhansk region, we have even a better prognosis. The entire crop area of agricultural crops in all categories of farms of Luhansk region for 2016 harvest is expected to reach 832.7 thousand hectares or 116% of the area sown in 2015. Out of this area, grain crops are expected to be planted in the area of 446.8 thousand ha or 122% compared to the previous year. The expected availability of seeds of small-grain spring crops will amount to 100%,” Oleksii Pavlenko added. 

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