Fourteen Ukrainian regions launch grain sowing campaign

Fourteen Ukrainian regions launched a campaign as of March 13 to sow early grain and leguminous crops.

They have already sown 258,000 hectares (ha), which is 11% of the planned 2.3 million ha, the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Industry Ministry's press service said.

In particular, farmers have already sown spring barley on 177,000 ha (11%), wheat on 10,000 ha (6%), oats on 5,000 ha (2%), and peas on 67,000 ha (19 %).

Farmers in other regions where the sowing campaign has not yet begun – these are mainly northern and eastern regions – are waiting for appropriate weather conditions.

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There are 24 regions in Ukraine, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (occupied by Russia since March 2014), and two cities with special status – Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and Sevastopol (occupied by Russia since March 2014).

"The current sowing campaign began a month earlier due to favorable weather conditions and gains momentum every day," Deputy Agriculture Minister Volodymyr Topchiy said. "Our farmers have enough resources to carry out the sowing of spring grain crops within the best timing and in compliance with all technological requirements."

Farmers have 684,000 tonnes of seeds, meeting 100% of their demand.

The availability of mineral fertilizers as of March 7, 2019, was 856,000 tonnes (82% of the requested amount), including ending stocks.

"The farmers bought 20,400 tonnes of crop protection chemicals (67% of the demand), including 13,400 tonnes of herbicides (67%). The fuel stocks include 268,000 tonnes of diesel fuel and 61,000 tonnes of petrol, which is 65% and 64% of the demand, respectively," the ministry said.

The first five Ukrainian regions launched the grain sowing campaign on March 4.

Last year, Ukraine harvested a record high yield of grain, having threshed 70.1 million tonnes.