#KaliningradRegion #DroughtCrisis #VegetableFarming #CropLoss #WaterScarcity
The agricultural situation for vegetable farmers in the Kaliningrad region is worsening due to a drought and the forecast of dry weather. This article explores the comments made by local farmers and experts, discussing the development of the situation, its consequences, and the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. Keywords: Kaliningrad region, drought, vegetable farming, crop loss, water scarcity.
The Kaliningrad region is facing a severe agricultural crisis as a result of an ongoing drought and the predicted continuation of dry weather conditions. The head of the agricultural enterprise “Kalina” in the Chernyakhovsk district, Sergey Chechulin, highlighted the escalating situation on June 7th in a statement to the online publication “Novy Kaliningrad.”
Chechulin emphasized that winter crops and timely sown spring crops possess a “certain growth potential.” However, he noted that those who delayed their planting would face very low yields. “For those who delayed the planting campaign, the crop emergence is sparse. I think those that are severely affected should plow the fields and prepare for the next season, for autumn, because it doesn’t make sense to invest money if the harvest will only be 10-15 hundredweights,” said Chechulin.
The absence of rainfall will impact all branches of crop cultivation, with vegetable farming expected to be the most affected, according to Chechulin. He described the situation for vegetable farmers as “catastrophic” and highlighted the scarcity of irrigation equipment and the inadequacy of existing irrigation support programs as major challenges.
Chechulin further predicted a lack of precipitation for the next 14-16 days, exacerbating the already dire situation for vegetable farmers. He believed that the harvest would be lost as a consequence.
These predictions were echoed by Shaig Mamedov, the CEO of “Orbita Agro” company, specializing in vegetable and strawberry production in the Guardy District. Mamedov stated, “The situation is close to a catastrophe.” He explained that the company had to increase irrigation by approximately 30% due to the lack of water resources.
Mamedov revealed that his company had previously implemented a rainwater collection system, and every day, firefighters use hoses to transfer water from a nearby lake into storage tanks. However, even this measure has proven insufficient. “The greenhouse complex consumes around 800 tons of water per day. The water level in our lake has dropped by three and a half meters. The lake’s depth is about seven meters, so currently, we have only as much water left as we pumped out,” Mamedov explained.
The ongoing drought in the Kaliningrad region has severe implications for vegetable farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole. Insufficient rainfall and water scarcity pose a significant risk to crop growth and yield, potentially leading to substantial financial losses for farmers. The shortage of irrigation equipment and the limited effectiveness of existing support programs exacerbate the challenges faced by farmers in mitigating the impacts of the drought.
If the situation persists, it may result in reduced vegetable production, higher market prices, and potential shortages for consumers. Additionally, the financial strain on farmers could have long-term consequences for the region’s agricultural industry, affecting livelihoods and the overall economy.
