Farmers in Sverdlovsk region begin seeding despite adverse weather conditions.
Sowing Season Begins in Sverdlovsk Region with Expanded Acreage
Here's a look behind the scenes of the 2025 farming season in Sverdlovsk, Russia. This year, the region plans to sow 760,000 hectares—that's 4,000 hectares more than in the previous year. According to local reports, potatoes, open-field vegetables, carrots, cabbage, beets, and oilseed crops will reign in the traditional agricultural scene.
The increase in local seed variety usage is on the rise, particularly reaching 96% for cereals, 100% for corn, and 76.9% for oilseed crops, as noted by the first deputy governor, Alexei Shmykov. Equipment has already rolled into action in various districts such as Artyinsky, Achitsky, Sysertsky, Bogdanovichsky, Nizhneserginsky, and Krasnouralsky, with a whopping 4,700 wheeled and tracked tractors, and over 780 cultivators and combined soil-cultivating machines gearing up for the task.
Severe weather conditions, particularly heavy rains in May, have posed challenges for farmers, as reported by Leonid Kanakaev, the chief agronomist of a farm in Sarasy, Krasnouralsky district. This season, however, growers are taking the wrath of Mother Nature in stride, armed with pre-signed contracts to ensure they have the diesel fuel, grain, and fertilizers necessary for their crops.
Like Kanakaev, Vladimir Bulatov, the chief agronomist of LLC "Prostor" in Krivulino, concedes that the start of the sowing season has been rough due to the weather. At present, only 25 hectares out of 635 have been sown. Farm representatives are aware that the completion date of the sowing season directly affects yield, and some have resorted to working through the night to meet their targets.
Interestingly, recent reports indicate a 33% drop in sales of Russian agricultural machinery on the domestic market during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Agricultural experts believe that the increasing age of the equipment in use, coupled with limited affordability for new machines, has created a backlog in demand.
Serving a need for streamlined operations and modern equipment, the regional Ministry of Agriculture and Food has been tasked with increasing the acquisition of agricultural machinery and boosting staffing levels. By 2025, they aim to acquire at least 122 tractors, 32 combine harvesters, 12 forage harvesters, 15 sprayers, and 40 mowers to support local farmers.
Despite the logistical challenges, authorities remain optimistic. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Market's forecast, the sowing campaign will proceed as planned within optimal agricultural timeframes. The first harvest is expected in July, with a total of over 700,000 tons of cereals, 250,000 tons of potatoes, and 44,000 tons of open-field vegetables predicted for the season. Authorities plan to allocate approximately 5 billion rubles from federal and regional budgets to support local producers. So, hold on to your hats, Sverdlovsk farmers—the 2025 sowing season is off to a promising start!
Originally written by Nadezhda Vershina
Agricultural Factors to Watch
Environmental and Weather Conditions
- Unpredictable weather conditions such as temperature fluctuations, rainfall patterns, and potential extreme weather events continue to play a significant role in agricultural productivity in Sverdlovsk.
Agricultural Practices and Infrastructure
- The availability of modern agricultural equipment and machinery has the potential to increase productivity and efficiency within the region.
- Local government support and subsidies for agricultural advancements may help farmers succeed in their goals.
Economic and Policy Factors
- Government incentives and subsidies for agricultural production might encourage farmers to expand their acreage.
- Market demand for specific crops may influence the decision to increase agricultural production.
I'm not sure about the impact of the upcoming weather conditions on the farming season, as prolonged heavy rains are predicted, which could potentially pose challenges for the farmers.
The unpredictable weather patterns and temperature fluctuations this season might have a significant effect on the productivity of agriculture in Sverdlovsk, as reported in the environmental and weather conditions factor to watch.
