{"id":273697,"date":"2014-05-29T10:48:12","date_gmt":"2014-05-29T07:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/company_articles\/volodimir-ivchenko-nezvazhajuchi-na-situaciju-v-kraini-agrarnij-sektor-sumshhini-pracjuie-maksimalno-stabilno\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T12:55:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T10:55:07","slug":"volodimir-ivchenko-nezvazhajuchi-na-situaciju-v-kraini-agrarnij-sektor-sumshhini-pracjuie-maksimalno-stabilno","status":"publish","type":"company_articles","link":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/company_articles\/volodimir-ivchenko-nezvazhajuchi-na-situaciju-v-kraini-agrarnij-sektor-sumshhini-pracjuie-maksimalno-stabilno\/","title":{"rendered":"Volodymyr Ivchenko: \u201cDespite the situation in the country, the agricultural sector of the Sumy region is operating as steadily as possible\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
About the results of the sowing campaign, pricing policy, and investments, \u201cr\u201d<\/em> spoke with the Director of the Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Sumy Regional State Administration, Volodymyr Ivchenko<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cr\u201d: Volodymyr Mykolaiovych, please tell us how the sowing campaign went this year. Was everything that was planned implemented?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Volodymyr Ivchenko<\/strong>: This year, the sowing campaign began a month earlier than last year\u2014on March 11\u2014although the pace remained at last year\u2019s level because weather conditions were a constraining factor. We planned to sow 1 million 107 thousand hectares, and 16 thousand hectares were allocated as fallow for winter crops. Due to the weather, some minor changes occurred in the crop structure. Compared to the same period last year, the area under spring crops increased by 30 thousand hectares and now totals 848 thousand hectares; it is planned to increase spring cereals and legumes by 14 thousand hectares, bringing them to 466 thousand hectares. In addition, some adjustments were made to the crop structure: corn acreage increased by 20 thousand hectares, and soybean acreage increased by 30 thousand hectares compared to last year. Potatoes remain at last year\u2019s level\u201462 thousand hectares\u2014and vegetables\u201412 thousand hectares. Sowing of early cereals has already been completed, totaling 91 thousand hectares\u2014101% of the forecast; sugar beet sowing has also been completed\u20141,700 hectares\u2014106% of the forecast; intensive sowing of sunflower and soybeans is underway; and sowing of late crops\u2014buckwheat and soybeans\u2014has begun. It is pleasing that this year we have sugar beet plantings. We plan to market it to neighboring Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions.<\/p>\n

Despite the pricing situation and the overall situation in the country, the sowing campaign proceeded satisfactorily; almost all farms were materially and technically equipped to carry out the spring fieldwork. First of all, this applies to farms engaged in livestock production. They secured resources back at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. Undoubtedly, the pricing situation for fuel and energy resources had some impact on the sowing campaign, but it did not play a decisive role.<\/p>\n

\u201cr\u201d: What are the forecasts for the livestock sector of the region?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

V.I.<\/strong>: This year, there have been minor changes in the structure of livestock production. In the first quarter, livestock numbers decreased. However, speaking about indicators, we observe improvements, as farms today focus not on quantity but on quality. Currently, there are 371 farms operating in the region, 211 of which are engaged in livestock production. Since the beginning of the year, meat production has increased by 12%; milk production remains at last year\u2019s level; and egg production in the region has increased by 6%. As for enterprises, compared to last year, milk production increased by 1.4% and egg production by 1.6%. In the first quarter, milk yield per cow increased by 43 kg compared to last year and now amounts to 993 kg per cow. Unfortunately, there is currently no state support for the livestock sector. Last year, there was state support for households. Today, about UAH 8 million in arrears remains owed to households for livestock maintenance. There was also support for families with three or more cows\u2014they had the opportunity to purchase milking equipment and receive compensation of about UAH 3\u20134 thousand. This is the factor that currently restrains us.<\/p>\n

\u201cr\u201d: Please tell us about the current pricing situation and how it affects all sectors of the agro-industrial complex.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

V.I.<\/strong>: In April, procurement prices for meat and cattle increased: prices for cows rose to UAH 14\u201314.50 per kg, for young cattle\u2014to UAH 18 per kg, and for pork\u2014to UAH 22\u201323.50 per kg. This is still higher than what we had a month ago. Milk prices are decreasing. This is not a critical decline, but it will negatively affect prospects. The Russian Federation has suspended imports of our products, and nearly 60% of the purchased milk was processed into cheese, which, as is known, was exported to Russia. We had a similar situation in 2012, when Russia declared a \u201cmilk war.\u201d At that time, the issue was raised that relying on a single partner state is dangerous\u2014resulting in near-total dependence. Sales markets should be diversified: Russia, Europe, and countries of Asia and Africa. But what was done in this direction? That is why today we find ourselves in a similar situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cr\u201d: And what about investments? It was planned that more than one billion hryvnias would be invested in the region in 2014\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

V.I.<\/strong>: Over the past three years, we observed positive dynamics, although there were some issues. In 2013, nearly UAH 978 million was invested in the region\u2014the highest figure. Based on a preliminary analysis, a production and investment map for 2014 was created. We planned to attract UAH 1.3 billion in investor funds. However, due to the current situation, investments have decreased, and construction of some facilities has been suspended. Investments in the food industry, the agricultural market sector, crop production, machinery and tractor fleets, equipment purchases, and livestock production remain stable.<\/p>\n

At present, it is planned to invest UAH 687 million in 109 facilities. This is twice less than projected. However, we still have reserves. If everything goes well, PJSC \u201cRaiz Company\u201d will build an elevator in the Krolevets district. The total investment by the company is expected to exceed UAH 400 million; the amount for this year has not yet been determined. Unfortunately, construction of an elevator with a capacity of 78 thousand tons in the Bilopillia district has been suspended\u2014this represents more than UAH 100 million in investment funds. The first phase of construction of a 50-thousand-ton elevator in the Konotop district has also been suspended. Construction in the Sumy district will not begin either\u2014there were plans to build a potato and vegetable storage facility there. This is logical, as such investments require control and guarantees, which are difficult to ensure today. Nevertheless, I believe that the aforementioned nearly UAH 700 million will still be invested in the agro-industrial complex of the Sumy region. In the first quarter alone, UAH 120 million has already been invested in 50 facilities.<\/p>\n

For example, LLC \u201cAgrobusiness TSK\u201d in the Nedryhailiv district continues construction of a vegetable packaging workshop; \u201cKraft Foods\u201d continues to implement its plans; and the Okhtyrka Meat Processing Plant plans to replace refrigeration equipment.<\/p>\n

In the livestock sector, there are 28 investment projects: construction of the \u201cPioner\u201d complex in the Krolevets district, the \u201cVeleten\u201d complex in the Hlukhiv district, and a 400-head dairy complex \u201cVitchyzna\u201d under construction in the Konotop district. The livestock and processing sectors are, first and foremost, about capitalization and prospects, so they will continue to develop.<\/p>\n

A somewhat smaller amount is planned this year for equipment purchases. If last year more than UAH 300 million was invested, this year the plan is up to UAH 200 million\u2014although changes are likely.<\/p>\n

The main thing today is that the sowing campaign is coming to an end. We have not faced significant problems. Weather conditions are favorable, and technologically enterprises know and are able to do everything necessary. Now all that remains is to see how the situation on the agricultural products market will develop in 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

About the results of the sowing campaign, pricing policy, and investments, \u201cr\u201d spoke with the Director of the Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Sumy Regional State Administration, Volodymyr Ivchenko. \u201cr\u201d: Volodymyr Mykolaiovych, please tell us how the sowing campaign went this year. Was everything that was planned implemented? Volodymyr Ivchenko: This year, the sowing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":250392,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"tags":[31658,33287,33087,31554,31761,32363,31882,43609,33156,32564,42438],"company_categories":[31029],"class_list":["post-273697","company_articles","type-company_articles","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-agrarian-sumy-region","tag-agricultural-crops-of-sumy","tag-agricultural-producers-of-sumy","tag-agricultural-sumy-region","tag-agriculture-of-sumy","tag-animal-husbandry-in-sumy","tag-crop-production-in-sumy","tag-department-of-agro-industrial-development-of-sumy-regional-state-administration","tag-grain-sumy","tag-vegetable-growing-in-sumy","tag-volodymyr-ivchenko","company_categories-agrarian-sumy-region"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/company_articles\/273697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/company_articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/company_articles"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/company_articles\/273697\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/250392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=273697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=273697"},{"taxonomy":"company_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vsisumy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/company_categories?post=273697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}