Save Ukrainian chernozem!
The growth of the organic segment in agriculture in Ukraine is now becoming more obvious. High requirements for environmental friendliness of products have led to the fact that in agriculture a new direction is actively developing – organic farming. According to this technique, when growing plants, the use of pesticides and minerals, the use of genetically modified seeds, biological preparations are excluded. Also, for organic farming, a characteristic feature is the surface treatment of the soil. When growing agricultural products by organic means, special preparations and fertilizers created on the basis of natural substances are used. Thus, the environment is not polluted by chemicals, it is possible to preserve fertile soils with living microorganisms. In addition, the surface cultivation does not disturb the structure of the horizons, which also has a positive effect on the ecosystem.
Agrarians should switch to the climatic strategy of farming, predicting all possible scenarios of changes in both climatic conditions and soil properties. To do this, it is necessary to carry out quality environmental monitoring, which includes the following components:
– objectivity and reliability of data;
– systematic observations of the environment;
– multilevel;
– consistency of normative and methodological support;
– consistency of technical and software;
– complexity in the assessment of environmental information;
– efficiency of information passing between separate links of the system;
– openness of information for the population.
Farmers are interested in the development of the organic market in Ukraine, because consumer requirements are growing and organic is the top level of agriculture that is able to withstand competition.
Under conditions of excessive anthropogenic load, farmers’ attention is attracted by environmentally friendly soils. They are the basis for growing agricultural raw materials and producing organic and safe food. But, unfortunately, the modern use of farmland does not meet the requirements of rational land use. In most farms, farming has practiced completely ignoring the laws of returning soil nutrients taken out of the crop. As a result, there was a decrease in soil fertility, especially the dangerous scale of their degradation.
Preservation of Ukrainian chornozemi, and especially their restoration is a long-term process that must begin with digitalization of agricultural lands and bringing the agrarian policy of the state to a new level. In particular, it is necessary to unite the efforts of leading scientific institutions, businesses, ministries, the public in order to offer solutions based on the use of digital data that would allow comprehensive and effective control of the situation of soil use. We are talking about creating a complete unified soil quality monitoring system, which is currently lacking in Ukraine. Proper information on their condition will provide protection, effective management and permanent use of Ukrainian lands. SI “Derzhgruntokhorona” cooperates with FAO and leading Ukrainian producers of organic crop products for many years, and the knowledge and skills of the specialists of the institution each year help to improve and implement the careful attitude of farmers to their lands, not only to increase profits, but also to preserve the ecosystem as a whole.
One of the powerful tools of soil conservation is crop rotation. It directly affects the success of growing crops, ensures soil fertility, prevents significant spread of pests, and systematizes the overall management of the economy. Ordering a crop rotation project or at least conducting a quality consultation is not a short-term project with unreasonable costs, it is a strategy for improvement and development.
Now, in principle, there is no control over crops, compliance with the rules of crop rotation by farmers. And the preservation of the ecological state of land resources remains only on the conscience of agricultural commodity producers. The state has a need to connect to regulation in this matter. But it’s not about controlling crop rotation. And about monitoring the state of soils. For example, an agricultural producer has leased a land plot, and after its return or renewal of the lease period, or after a certain time – the determination of quality indicators of the soil cover, that is, agrochemical examination should be carried out. Thus, data is compared – whether they have changed during the stay of the site in the lease. If deteriorated, the user receives penalties by land. Of course, so far this is only a project, but without its implementation, the threat of destruction in the development of agriculture is inevitable.
Currently, the Institute focuses on improving the land and soil monitoring system. In most cases, information about the state of land and the spread of certain types of degradation processes in Ukraine are collected by different structures using different methodologies. This approach does not allow comparing data and qualitatively assess the situation with agricultural lands. But here it is important not to stop, to interact and the main thing is to find a balance between the interests of agribusiness and the state, since it will depend on this success in maintaining the quality of Ukrainian land.
