Agriculture of Ukraine

Ukraine is famous for its agricultural production and is known as the breadbasket of Europe. Steppes and plains compose the most part of the territory of Ukraine. The topsoils are mainly black. They are the biggest treasure of the Ukrainian land. 25% of the world’s black rich soils are in Ukraine. Ukraine’s climate is mainly moderatly continental and the precipitations are 500-600 mm. It enables agriculture to grow different kinds of plants.

Ukraine’s crop production is highly developed. The black soils are exceptionally good for wheat. Besides wheat, Ukraine produces such grains as barley (mostly for animal feed), buckwheat and rye. Other crops include potatoes, vegetables, melons, berries, fruit, nuts and grapes. Ukraine’s most important industrial crop, sugar beet, is concentrated in the forest-steppe zone.

Another important branch of farm production is animal husbandry. Animal farms specialize in meat-dairy cattle raising, poultry farming, fishing. Cattle and pigs are raised throughout Ukraine, while chicken, geese and turkey are kept for meat and egg production. Bees are kept in all parts of Ukraine for honey and wax.

The main fishing grounds are the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, though the latter is heavily polluted by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. All the main rivers are full of fish but they suffer from pollution, too.

Farmwork in Different Seasons

Spring is the time to prepare the soil for planting. First, the farmer fertilizes his fields with cow manure or a chemical fertilizer. Then he ploughs the soil, turning it over and mixing in the fertilizer to provide a rich soil for the crops. Later, when the days are a little longer and the sun has warmed the soil, it is time to plant the seeds. After planting, the farmer waits and watches. He watches the weather, hoping for enough sun. He waters the young plants and watches carefully for signs of plant disease and the attacks of insects. Many farmers spray their fields with chemicals to keep away disease and harmful insects. With water, sun, care and protection the plants grow strong and healthy.

Autumn is the busiest time of the year. Now the crops in the fields are ready to harvest. The fruit is ready to pick. It is time to gather in the vegetable crops and to reap the grass crops, such as wheat and corn. The farmers have to work quickly. Often it is necessary to call in extra workers to work in their fields and bring in the crops. Work starts when the sun rises and finishes when the sun sets. The days are hard and long. But when the job is done, it is time for dancing, eating, drinking, and having fun. The harvested crops are sold in the markets or stored in the barns, ready to feed the animals through the winter months. The farmer chops wood, preparing to keep his house warm through the long cold winter nights.

In winter the days are getting shorter and shorter. And when it finally comes, it is a time for planning, for deciding where and what to plant next year. For soon it will be spring again and the cycle of planting, growing and harvesting will start again.