As of March 24, farmers of Ukraine planted 150 thsd ha with spring crops. Mainly, they are planting corn, soybean, sunflower seed, millet, buckwheat, oats and sugar beet, the press-service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy said.
“Farmers of Kherson, Odessa, Mykolaiv oblasts have started planting campaign against all odds and under Ukrainian flag”, – deputy minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky said.
He added that the planted area under high margin crops, like sunflower seed and corn, would decline due to the current situation. At the same time, agrarians will plant more crops that are easier to cultivate, but are important for food security.
“Farmers will plant more peas, barley and oats. These crops used to be niche. However, they are easier to cultivate and are important for diets. So, we are moving from export crops to food crops for domestic consumption”, – he said.
T. Vysotsky emphasized that the planted area would decrease by 30% in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion to the country. This will hurt the food security of import-depending countries of North Africa, Middle East and Southeastern Asia.
