Agrarian Sumy Region – 2018

Sumy District among the leaders. This year, Sumy farmers demonstrated a very достойний result, taking first place in terms of harvested yield – 62.3 centners per hectare of winter wheat were harvested by farmers of the district. This is the best indicator in the region.

Second place went to Hlukhiv District – 61.3 centners per hectare. The sown area is also increasing every year. Thus, in 2018, across all categories of farms in the region, the sown area of agricultural crops amounted to 1 million 159.7 thousand hectares, which is 22.2 thousand hectares more than last year. The area under grain and leguminous crops in Sumy region this year amounts to 641.6 thousand hectares, of which early crops account for 256.4 thousand hectares.
Winter wheat was harvested on an area of 13.3 thousand hectares, with a yield of 62.2 thousand tons at an average productivity of 46.8 centners per hectare. The highest yields were recorded in Sumy District – 62.3 centners per hectare and Hlukhiv District – 61.3 centners per hectare.

Winter barley was harvested on 0.9 thousand hectares, yielding 2.7 thousand tons with an average productivity of 31.5 centners per hectare. Peas were harvested on 1.2 thousand hectares, yielding 3.7 thousand tons with an average productivity of 29.9 centners per hectare.
In addition, 4.6 thousand hectares of winter rapeseed were harvested, yielding 13.1 thousand tons with an average productivity of 28.3 centners per hectare.

In order to work effectively in the fields and ensure maximum yields and worker safety, it is necessary to take care of technical support for the process. “For the 2018 harvest campaign, agricultural enterprises of the region prepared 1,056 combine harvesters, 431 headers, 717 grain-cleaning machines, and 196 dryers for operation. The available amount of agricultural machinery and equipment meets technological needs and, under favorable weather conditions, will ensure the harvesting of early grains within optimal agrotechnical timeframes,” the Sumy Regional State Administration reported.

This summer, Sumy District was luckier than some others. Thus, in Seredyna-Buda, Shostka, and Yampil districts, weather conditions prevented the start of harvesting.

Safety above all

Achieving leading positions is impossible without caring for worker safety. This is well understood both at the district and regional levels. Thus, during a meeting of the board of the Sumy District State Administration together with members of the Agrarian Chamber, the head of the district administration emphasized the priority of tasks to create safe working conditions for farmers: “We must care about people’s lives, about human safety. Human life comes first, and we must ensure this at a high level,” noted Hennadii Doroshenko.

The main focuses of the grain harvesting campaign were defined as equipment readiness, strict compliance with fire safety rules, occupational safety, and traffic regulations. Special attention was paid to these points during agricultural work. This approach yielded results, and harvesting in the district ended without accidents or emergencies.

However, local authorities believe it is too early to relax. After all, the sowing campaign is just around the corner. Therefore, the district state administration appealed to agricultural producers to take care of the condition of agricultural machinery and to repair it in a timely and high-quality manner in order to start fieldwork on time next year.

This year’s harvest brought Sumy District to the forefront. It took first place in terms of harvest volume and second place in milk production. A good reason to celebrate properly. A celebration in honor of agrarians took place at the Regional Philharmonic last Friday. There was not only singing and dancing, but also awards for the best workers, so that they would continue to delight everyone with excellent results.

Apples from Stetskivka

The most popular variety among Sumy residents is “Slava Peremozhtsiam”

If you ask Sumy residents whose apples are the tastiest, the vast majority will answer: “Apples from Stetskivka.” It is here that the agricultural company “Sadivnyk” is located, which grows tasty, juicy, and nutritious apples. The enterprise is unique, the only one in Sumy District, and there are only a few like it in the region. It is headed by Serhii Oleksandrovych Kryvtsov. It has been operating since 1998. On 44 hectares, they grow not only apples, but also pears, peaches, apricots—though in small quantities. As Serhii Oleksandrovych says: “For ourselves.” They also grow black currants, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, etc. In addition, Sumy residents and district residents can always purchase fruit tree seedlings at “Sadivnyk.” And in general, as Serhii Oleksandrovych says, Stetskivka seedlings and apples are known throughout Ukraine.

However, according to the head of the enterprise, the horticulture sector—not only in Sumy region, but throughout Ukraine—is currently experiencing difficult times. Markets such as Crimea and Donbas have been lost, and traditionally large volumes of apples and berries were sold there. As Serhii Oleksandrovych says, trucks from Crimea used to line up for berries. Last year, much of the harvest was destroyed by hail, and this year, on the contrary, the harvest was abundant—the apple and berry yield was so large that, as absurd as it may sound, it also led to losses for farms. An excess of harvest, paradoxically, caused prices for berries and apples to collapse. For example, currently procurement organizations offer to buy apples at a price of 0–60 kopecks per kilogram. How do you like that? And this situation is observed throughout Ukraine. In order for apple cultivation to be profitable, the price per kilogram should be approximately 20 UAH per kg. Feel the difference? However, Serhii Oleksandrovych does not lose optimism. He says that he permanently employs 10–12 people, and many more during the season, because the harvest needs to be collected and the orchards put in order. When asked, “Which apple variety is the most popular?” Serhii Oleksandrovych answers that the tastiest variety is “Slava Peremozhtsiam.” He says that throughout August and September, these apples from the Stetskivka orchards were in the highest demand at the Sumy market.

In general, Sumy region, even during the Soviet Union, was considered not very suitable for horticulture, says the head of the enterprise. There were attempts to plant orchards in the north of the region—in Krolevets and Shostka. They planted 100 hectares each, but they froze. Only in Okhtyrka did things go well. Now they also grow not only apples, but also nuts and apricots there. Overall, Serhii Kryvtsov believes that when the state is wealthy and people are wealthy, horticulture will develop. So that people buy not only bread and essential products, but also fruits. He hopes that such times will come as soon as possible.

Happy holiday, farmers!

Agricultural workers were congratulated in Sumy

Ukraine is famous worldwide for its agro-industrial complex. It is no coincidence that it is called the breadbasket of Europe. However, such fame would hardly belong to us if not for the daily labor of agrarians—agronomists, tractor drivers, technologists, combine operators.

To thank agrarians for their persistent and at the same time hard work, on November 16, celebrations on the occasion of the Day of Agricultural Workers took place at the Sumy Regional Philharmonic. Representatives from all villages of Sumy District gathered for the celebration.

“For the fifth year in a row, Sumy District has taken first place among all districts of the region. It is the best in harvesting grain and leguminous crops, second in milk production, and one of the best in terms of cattle numbers. But working the land is very hard. Your task, the task of agrarians, is to feed the country. And I think your district is fortunate, because all your farmers are local. They have mutual understanding with the authorities and with the heads of territorial communities. And I would like the district to be the best in all of Ukraine next year,” noted the head of the Sumy Regional Council, Volodymyr Tokar, from the stage.

The head of the Sumy District Administration, Hennadii Doroshenko, also joined the congratulations: “The work of farmers is hard. The weather does not always understand your wishes. And this work is always risky. But the saying ‘Bread is the head of everything’ remains true. Without farmers, budget revenues of the district would not grow. Today, production accounts for 48%, although we would like 80 or 90. But the pace you have taken encourages investment in the district.”

After the greetings, they proceeded to award the best workers of farming enterprises in the district. Agronomists, technologists, combine operators, and milkmaids were honored. After all, it is these people who ensure a good harvest and, accordingly, the well-being of Ukrainians.

On November 18, agricultural enterprises of Sumy region traditionally celebrate the Day of Agricultural Workers of Ukraine

We congratulate all agrarians on their professional holiday.
We wish stability, success, prosperity, and well-being in your activities.
May work bring satisfaction, and may life delight you with happiness every day; may sincere people and faithful friendly support be nearby.

Editorial staff of the newspaper “Panorama”

Project partner “Agrarian Sumy Region – 2018”:

Urozhaina Kraina LLC
Sumy region, Romny, Sumy Street, 5E
+38 (05448) 5-77-16
www.ur-kraina.com.ua
Article: “Urozhaina Kraina LLC: successful innovators of the agricultural sector”