Tuki – in warehouses

29/03/20130 views

According to the District Agricultural Department, the district's farms require 6,470 tonnes of active ingredient of mineral fertilizers for the spring field campaign. Of this amount, 2,570 tonnes of nitrogen fertilizers, 1,030 tonnes of phosphorus fertilizers, and 2,870 tonnes of potassium fertilizers (active ingredient) are needed. Currently, various mineral fertilizers are actively arriving in the district, with 66 percent of the requirement met as of March 20.

According to the District Agricultural Department, the district's farms require 6,470 tonnes of active ingredient of mineral fertilizers for the spring field campaign. Of this amount, 2,570 tonnes of nitrogen fertilizers, 1,030 tonnes of phosphorus fertilizers, and 2,870 tonnes of potassium fertilizers (active ingredient) are needed. Currently, various mineral fertilizers are actively arriving in the district, with 66 percent of the requirement met as of March 20. For comparison, last year on the same date, the provision rate was only 60%.

Mineral fertilizers are delivered to the district by rail, unloaded at the mineral fertilizer base of OJSC "Lepel Rayagriservice," and then transported by the farms themselves to their warehouses. The largest quantity delivered is potassium fertilizers – 2,580 tonnes of active ingredient (90%). Nitrogen and phosphorus have been delivered at 47% of the requirement, but in physical terms, the figures differ – 1,219 and 487 tonnes, respectively.

While organic fertilizers are produced "in-house" by the farms, mineral fertilizers must be paid for. For instance, a wagon (44 tonnes) of superphosphate costs 253 million rubles, and the same amount of amophos costs 265 million rubles. A wagon of KAS costs 182 million rubles, and urea costs 240 million rubles. The cheapest is ammonium sulfate – 101 million rubles per wagon. The cost of rail delivery is already included in these figures.

Large agricultural organizations such as SVF "Zaazerye" and SVP "Prazhektor" can utilize investor assistance when purchasing mineral fertilizers. Other farms will receive state support. For example, a loan from the regional budget is allocated for the purchase of nitrogen fertilizers. Farms can acquire phosphorus using a preferential 10% loan from OJSC "Belagroprombank," issued for one year. Potassium fertilizers are sold with a 30-day payment deferral.

All the mineral fertilizers listed above are of Belarusian production. Potassium is mined in Salihorsk, nitrogen is produced in Hrodna, and phosphorus is produced in Mahiliou. However, Belarusian fertilizers alone will not be enough, and Russians will come to the rescue. 1330 tons of amophos, 512 tons of ammonium nitrate, and 1650 tons of urea will be allocated to the Lepel district. Approximately similar volumes of fertilizers will be allocated to all districts of the region.

Russian mineral fertilizers are slightly more expensive, so the regional executive committee is again coming to the rescue. For their purchase, "Ahlahraservis" takes out a special loan in the amount of 62 million US dollars and 180 billion Belarusian rubles for delivery by rail. Throughout the year, agricultural organizations must repay these funds in installments, according to the approved schedule.

I agree, the figures are significant, but without the use of modern mineral fertilizers, crop losses will be even greater. Moreover, it is important to maintain the fertility of the land for future sowings, which is also impossible without fertilizers.

Vasil MATYRKA.