Today, August 10, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Taras Vysotskyi, with the participation of State Soil Protection Agency and heads of regional branches.
One of the issues discussed at the meeting was the study by specialists of the SI “Derzhgruntokhorona” of the quality of agrochemicals, including fertilizers, for compliance with quality certificates.
Over the past three years, over 4,000 samples of agrochemicals were analysed on average by the branches of the SI “Derzhgruntokhorona”, which amounts to almost 20,000 analyses. In 2021, 4,400 samples of agrochemicals were analysed, of which 80% are mineral fertilizers. 730 samples of organic fertilizers and 112 samples of chemical meliorants were also analysed.
Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Kyiv and Kirovohrad branches carry out the largest number of agrochemical studies, which perform from 2 to almost 4 thousand analyses every year.
Most of the studied agrochemicals met the regulatory requirements. However, samples with deviations from regulatory and technical requirements were found. Of particular concern is the increase in the market share of mineral fertilizers with a low content of nutrients. Up to 24% of the tested fertilizer samples did not meet the requirements of the State Technical Regulations or the declared normative documents of the manufacturer.
These deviations affect the effectiveness of agrochemicals, which in turn leads to a decrease in the yield and quality of agricultural crops.
However, the increase in the number of types of fertilizers entering the market of Ukraine leads to an increase in the number of orders for conducting research on their compliance with regulatory documents. Since the number of orders for fertilizer research is growing, the institution needs to update its material and technical base.
The study of quality indicators of mineral fertilizers will contribute to their rational and safe use, as well as cost savings for product manufacturers.
All these areas are important for the production of agricultural products and food security of the state.