It became known how much is the shortage of nitrogen fertilizers in Ukraine
As of the beginning of 2022, the shortage of nitrogen fertilizers in Europe is approximately 7 million tons, and in Ukraine this figure reaches almost 2 million tons.
“7 million tons is a big figure for European countries. Therefore, it will be very difficult for domestic enterprises to cover the shortage of fertilizer production by importing from there. Organic fertilizers are also not enough, due to a decrease in the number of cattle,” says Yaroslav Gadzalo, president of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, academician.
However, not all farmers will be able to apply the necessary amount of mineral fertilizers during spring field work, in particular during sowing and fertilizing winter crops. Under such conditions, it is difficult to predict the harvest in 2022, to keep it at least at the level of 2021.
“We have sent our proposals to both the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and food of Ukraine on how to ensure more or less stable operation of the chemical industry and mineral fertilizer producers. This is very important to take into account, because the Earth is not an infinite resource. You can’t take all the food. Although in recent years, 15 million tons more nutrients have been removed from the soil than is applied. And if we still limit the introduction of mineral fertilizers, we can hardly count on a good harvest,” the academician stressed.
In order for the agro – industrial complex to work stably all year round, it is necessary to resolve this issue before the end of February – the state must provide support to producers.
“According to Law No. 5600, a peasant or tenant of land must pay UAH 1.4 thousand of tax on 1 ha of a share. In general, in Ukraine it is about 50 billion UAH. So, I believe that these funds can be used to ensure that mineral fertilizers are cheaper so as not to reduce their application to the soil. Because traditionally, the funds that came from the land tax, from the sale of land plots, were used to improve soil fertility,” Yaroslav Gadzalo emphasizes.
Ukraine is one of the largest agricultural countries in Europe and a significant player in the World Food Market. Therefore, it is necessary to think about these issues, taking into account the European experience, where farmers receive support from the treasury of the European Union. The Ukrainian authorities should also take price control to ensure the stable operation of the industry and, first of all, the sowing campaign and top dressing of all agricultural crops during the growing season.
According to the NAAS press service