Organizations and Personal Farms in the Irkutsk region have sown 102.8 thousand hectares of technical crops, 78.9 thousand hectares of fodder crops, planted 0.9 thousand hectares of vegetables in open ground, and 4.1 thousand hectares of potatoes.
Alexey Lobytin noted that the planting was done on time, which gives hope for a good harvest. This year, the area sown with technical crops has significantly increased. For example, the area sown with rapeseed has grown by 35% compared to the previous year, soybean areas have increased 11 times, more flax has been sown than planned, and for the first time, long-staple flax has been planted.
The areas of peas have increased by 45%, adding 28.3 hectares of cabbage.
The sowing areas of grains, including wheat, have slightly decreased, however, considering the high reserves from the previous year, the region has sufficient cereals.
The increase in the area sown with technical crops is associated with the gradual transition of farmers to more profitable options. Changes in the structure of sown areas are explained by market influences, including changes in prices for oilseeds and leguminous crops, as well as the farmers' desire to maintain financial stability and grow, explained Alexey Lobytin.
The deputy minister also reported that seed farms in the region have prepared over 11.2 thousand tons of elite seeds of cereals and leguminous crops, introduced 44 thousand tons of mineral fertilizers, and over 200 thousand tons of organic fertilizers in physical weight.
After the completion of sowing, other field work continues, and work has begun on harvesting fodder.