Sown area structure for 2018.
According to preliminary data, the sown area of crops this year will amount to 21.8 million hectares, which is similar to last year.
Grains are planned on an area of 14.7 million hectares, including wheat - 11.4 million hectares, with a decrease by 544 thousand hectares as in 2017. At the same time, forage crops will increase by the same volume, grain crops will occupy more than 2.5 million hectares with an increase of 49 thousand hectares compared to last year. Oilseeds will make up about 2.6 million hectares. The positive growth dynamics is shown by the area for potatoes - 210 thousand ha or 15% compared to last year.
Spring sowing.
Currently, spring sowing is ongoing everywhere. As of May 21, sowing of spring crops was carried out on 31% of the planned area, oilseeds - 50%, vegetable and melon crops - 77%, potatoes - 55%. Sowing of sugar beets and cotton is completed.
Due to the cool weather conditions and late ripening of the soil, the rate of sowing is somewhat lower than last year. In this regard, it is necessary to take measures to ensure high-performance use of sowing equipment to complete sowing in the optimal time.
Seed supply
2.6 million tons of seeds were covered under the current year’s crop.
This year, a new mechanism for subsidizing seed production will be implemented, which provides agricultural productions with 1st reproduction seeds for free or elite seeds at a minimum rate from seed producers or distributors in spring. The Department of Agriculture of the region reimburses the elite seed producers, seed producers or distributors the full cost of the released seeds at the norm.
At the same time, seed producers in the autumn after harvesting will return 30% of the cost of seeds to the Seed Development Fund, which will accumulate repayable funds and direct them to finance the acquisition and modernization of fixed assets (machinery and equipment) for certified seed producers at a low interest rate (1– 2%). The implementation of this mechanism will ensure 100% sowing with seeds of at least 3 reproductions by 2021.
Currently, the draft Rules for subsidizing seed production is undergoing approval by interested state bodies.
Source: Astyk Trans JSC
