Mriya Agro Public : will sow over 86,500 hectares with spring crops

MRIYA Agro Holding is preparing to begin spring sowing. The Company has allocated over 86,500 hectares of land for 2016 spring crops. In MRIYA's spring crop rotation, this year's leader is sunflower, which is to be sown on 43,000 hectares. The crop showed good results last year - the first time the Company ever sowed sunflower - which is why MRIYA plans to increase the sowing area this year.

The Agro Holding will also sow spring barley for the first time, this year on 11,300 hectares. As for the usual crops, MRIYA will still sow corn and soybeans, but in smaller volumes - around 9,500 and almost 7,500 hectares respectively. The decision to significantly decrease the sowing area for these crops came from last year's experience, when dry weather and hot summer negatively impacted their yields. A portion of the fields sown with winter rapeseed, which did not survive the frost in October, will be re-sown with spring rapeseed. According to MRIYA's estimates, this will amount to approximately 9,500 hectares. The area for potatoes will significantly increase this year compared to last, to a total of 2,000 hectares. Seed sorgo, alfalfa, and silage corn for the Company's livestock business needs are also present in MRIYA's crop pattern.

According to COO of MRIYA Agro Holding Viktor Kukharchuk, the Company will begin sowing in late March if the weather conditions are favorable. Spring barley and rapeseed will be sown first, followed by potatoes and later - sunflower, corn, and other crops.