Lazarevsky farmers race against weather to complete 2024 spring planting

Farmers in Lazarevsky District have kicked off the 2024 spring planting season, though wet and unpredictable weather delayed the start. The total sowing area will cover 23,316 hectares, with collective farms managing most of the land at 16,571 hectares and private farmers working 5,728 hectares.

The season began later than usual after a long, unstable spring. Despite the setback, Vector LLC became the first to finish planting early grains, sowing 54 hectares of barley and 99 hectares of oats. Poletnoye LLC has also wrapped up its oat planting, covering 200 hectares.

Farmers have now moved on to first-cycle annual grasses, with 217 hectares already sown. Potatoes will take up 1,285 hectares this year, mostly on household plots accounting for 880 hectares. Nina Tereshchenko, head of the district’s agricultural department, noted that if weather conditions remain stable, the potato yield should match last year’s results.

The district’s planting efforts continue, with collective and private farms working to meet their targets. If conditions stay favourable, the harvest could align with previous years, ensuring steady production across key crops.