The Impact of Drought on Winter Crop Yields in Ukraine

In September 2024, Ukrainian farmers began sowing winter crops for the 2025 harvest. However, the current weather conditions pose numerous challenges, with drought being one of the most significant issues affecting the country’s agriculture.

After the hot July and lack of rainfall in August, soil moisture levels in most regions of Ukraine have significantly decreased. This factor has become a serious obstacle to sowing and the development of winter crops, such as wheat, barley, and rye. The drought has affected about 60-70% of sowing areas, particularly in the southern, central, and eastern regions. As a result, these unfavorable conditions for agriculture lead not only to a deterioration in soil conditions but also to a potential decrease in crop yields.

Winter wheat, which accounts for 95% of the total grain sowing in Ukraine, requires specific conditions for successful growth. Without sufficient moisture, the crops may not only fail to gain necessary strength before winter but could also suffer significantly from frost, making predictions for next year’s harvest even more uncertain.

Despite the challenges, farmers remain hopeful and are counting on favorable weather conditions in the spring of 2025. The future growth and development of crops largely depend on this factor.

What Can Be Done During Drought Conditions: Recommendations for Farmers

• Soil Moisture Monitoring: It is important to regularly check the soil moisture levels in different areas. If moisture remains insufficient, irrigation methods should be applied where possible. It is also important to stay updated on weather forecasts and respond to changes promptly.
• Choosing Drought-Resistant Crop Varieties: To improve the chances of successful plant growth, farmers can choose varieties that are more resistant to drought and high temperatures. These varieties will be more resilient to extreme conditions and are likely to yield better results.
• Adapting Agricultural Technologies: Farmers should approach sowing dates and seed depth selection flexibly. In drought conditions, sowing may be delayed slightly to avoid excessively high temperatures during the early stages of plant growth.
• Using Organic Fertilizers: The application of organic fertilizers helps improve soil structure and increase its water retention capacity. This is especially important in areas with limited rainfall.
• Consulting Agronomists: In challenging conditions, farmers may seek advice from agronomists to get recommendations on adapting agricultural practices. Professional support will help choose the best methods to cope with the effects of drought.

Conclusion

Drought poses a serious threat to Ukraine’s agriculture, but with modern agronomy techniques and adaptive technologies, its negative impact on crop yields can be minimized. With the correct approach to variety selection, timely irrigation, and the implementation of agricultural practices, it is possible to maintain high results and ensure stable yields even in the harshest environmental conditions.

Farmers must be prepared for such challenges and use all available methods to achieve the best possible results.