Agricultural adjustments in Kalmykia prompt early grain harvests amidst extreme weather conditions.
Agrarians in Kalmykia have commenced harvesting grain crops earlier than scheduled by two to three weeks, responding to the challenges posed by severe heatwaves and drought conditions. This adjustment, reported by TASS citing the Republic’s Minister of Agriculture, Timur Gavaev, underscores the region’s proactive approach to mitigating weather-related impacts on agricultural yields.
“The grain harvest in the region has begun earlier this year due to weather conditions. The onset of spring was early, and the lack of precipitation accelerated the ripening of winter crops,” Minister Gavaev explained. “The heat and soil moisture deficit will affect the yield, but it is too early to make forecasts. We are in daily contact with experts to monitor the situation closely.”
The agricultural plan entails harvesting cereals and legumes, excluding rice, from an area of over 276,000 hectares, with winter wheat covering 245,000 hectares. The winter crops have overwintered well, and farms have increased fertilizer application by 5% compared to last year to support yields.
The harvest has begun in the Iki-Burul and Zelinny districts, focusing on winter wheat across 67,000 hectares. Additionally, harvesting of winter barley has started in the Gorodovikovsk and Yashaltinsky districts. Over 800 combine harvesters will be employed for grain harvesting operations, ensuring adequate machinery support facilitated by the Elista branch of LLC “Trading House MTZ-Stavropol,” operational since November last year.
Kalmykia, known for its agricultural prowess, allocates 80% of its agricultural production to livestock farming. In 2023, the region achieved a record harvest of approximately 820,000 tons of grain, bolstered by federal and republican-level support measures.
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