Regional Agricultural Production Department: Vitebsk region has the necessary amount of nitrogen fertilizers for the first top dressing of winter cereals and cruciferous crops

In the Vitebsk region, 30% of nitrogen fertilizers have been accumulated for spring sowing. The region has the necessary amount for the first top dressing of winter cereals and cruciferous crops, the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee reported.

Agricultural organizations in the northern region are actively continuing to accumulate fertilizers. At the beginning of the year, the focus was on purchasing nitrogen fertilizers, which will be used for the first top dressing, with the acquisition of other types under close control. "In total, 25% of mineral fertilizers have been accumulated in the region for spring sowing, including 30% nitrogen, 9% phosphorus, and 27% potassium. Compared to the same date last year, as of March 14, we have almost 6% more. All farms in the region are addressing the issue of fertilizer procurement, and they are fully provided for the first top dressing," explained the regional agricultural department.

Farms in Vitebsk, Orsha, and Polotsk districts have stocked up on fertilizers the most, while the situation is worse in Shumilino, Gorodok, and Miory districts.

"There are no conditions for applying fertilizers in the region yet – the snow cover on the fields is from 11 cm to 24 cm," the committee added. "However, the readiness of machines on pneumatic tires (low-pressure tires) is about 90%. They are ready to go when favorable weather conditions arrive."

A total of 159.4 thousand tons of active substance are needed for spring sowing in the Vitebsk region. The technological requirement for nitrogen fertilizers is 68 thousand tons, for phosphorus – 28 thousand tons, and for potassium – 63.4 thousand tons of active substance. The first top dressing of winter cereals and cruciferous crops is expected in April.

Farmers intend to focus on the developing weather conditions while continuing preparations for the spring sowing campaign, which directly determines the future harvest. The total area for agricultural crops in the northern region this year will be 768.1 thousand hectares. Grains and legumes will occupy 350.4 thousand hectares, and cruciferous crops - 89.4 thousand hectares (almost 20% more than last year).

"BELTA"