Amaranth is becoming more and more interesting for Ukrainian farmers: is it worth growing a crop
Climate change in Ukraine is forcing farmers to look for alternatives to traditional farming. These are adjustments in technologies, and the search for drought-resistant hybrids and the choice of new crops for cultivation. Amaranth is one such crop that is rapidly gaining popularity.
“In the last three years, we have come close to the mark of 4 thousand hectares in terms of amaranth cultivation. We plan to cross this mark this year. The most suitable for growing crops are the southern and central regions of Ukraine, given the high drought tolerance of the crop,” says Oleksandr Duda, head of the NGO Association of Amaranth and Amaranth Products Producers.
In particular, over the past two years, the highest yields of amaranth on the farm (2.6 and 2.2 t/ha) were obtained in the Kirovograd region. There is a positive experience of growing amaranth on the sands of Kherson, where the agrarians considered it inappropriate to conduct crop production.
In general, it is possible to grow amaranth in all regions of Ukraine. Both in the southern and central regions, and in the east, where climatic conditions make it possible to provide high-quality seeds. In more humid regions, in addition to seeds, you can get better yields of green mass, ”notes Alexander.
The farmer also said that amaranth needs 2-3 times less water to form a unit of organic matter than winter wheat and corn, which makes the culture adapted to different climatic conditions of Ukraine.
“The ability to form a high yield and the relative unpretentiousness of the culture interested even Polesye farmers. In addition, the cultivation of amaranth is promising on slightly saline soils, because it is a natural ameliorant,” the specialist noted.
According to him, 19 varieties of amaranth have been zoned in Ukraine today. Enthusiasts grow about 5-6, and industrial production is dominated by three - Kharkovsky-1, Lera, Ultra.
“In addition, amaranth is known as green manure to restore soil fertility. We observe the effect ourselves, as well as the feedback from agricultural producers, which confirm that the crop is a good predecessor not only for spring crops, but also for late-sowing winter crops,” Alexander Duda.