As of April 7, Ukrainian farmers have sown 620,500 hectares of spring grains, according to data released by the agriculture ministry. However, the rainy weather has delayed field work.
Ukraine has projected reduced sowing this year due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has occupied a significant part of the country. Only 120,500 hectares were sown over the past seven days, the data showed.
The total sown area as of April 7 included 126,700 hectares of spring wheat, 376,600 hectares of barley, 73,100 hectares of peas, 41,300 hectares of oats, and 200 hectares of millet.
The Ukrainian government estimates that the country's grain sowing area could shrink by 1.4 million hectares to 10.2 million this year, while the area sown to oilseeds could rise.
In its last month's statement, the ministry warned that the 2023 grain harvest could fall to 44.3 million tonnes from 53.1 million tonnes. Meanwhile, oilseed output could increase to 19.2 million tonnes from 18.2 million.
The ongoing conflict with Russia has had a severe impact on Ukraine's agricultural sector. Apart from affecting the sowing process, the conflict has also disrupted the supply chain of inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides, and export markets. Ukraine was one of the world's leading wheat exporters before the conflict began.
Moreover, the rainy weather has added to the woes of Ukrainian farmers. They have faced several challenges in recent years, including dry weather conditions, pests and diseases, and high production costs. The government has tried to support the sector by providing subsidies, but many farmers have been unable to access them due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Ukraine's agricultural sector is crucial for the country's economy. It accounts for about 16% of GDP and employs over 25% of the workforce. The government has made efforts to modernise the sector by promoting sustainable practices, increasing yields, and developing export markets.
However, the conflict with Russia remains a major obstacle to the growth of the sector. The government has called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and has sought support from the international community. The United States and other Western countries have provided aid and other forms of assistance to Ukraine, but the situation remains fragile.
In conclusion, the delay in sowing spring grains due to rainy weather has added to the challenges faced by Ukrainian farmers, who are already dealing with the impact of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian government needs to address the issues facing the agricultural sector and provide support to farmers to ensure sustainable growth. A peaceful resolution of the conflict is also crucial for the sector's growth and development. Photo by Dobrych, Wikimedia commons.