In the heart of Ukraine, a groundbreaking study is reshaping how we think about winter wheat cultivation and its economic viability. Led by Yaroslav Hadzalo, this research delves into the economic efficiency of biologized technologies in growing agricultural crops, with a particular focus on winter wheat. The findings, published in the Scientific Papers Series: Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, offer a glimpse into a future where sustainable practices could redefine the agricultural landscape.
The study, conducted between 2017 and 2019 at the experimental field of the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of NAAS, now known as the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, reveals that the choice of variety, sowing dates, and plant protection methods significantly impact the economic efficiency of winter wheat cultivation. Hadzalo’s work underscores the potential for farmers to achieve substantial profits while adopting more sustainable practices.
One of the most striking findings is the potential for high profitability through biological plant protection systems. “The maximum level of profitability, 157%, was achieved with the variety Kohana sown in the third term and adhering to a biological plant protection system,” Hadzalo notes. This discovery challenges the conventional wisdom that chemical plant protection is the only path to high yields and profitability.
The research also highlights the importance of timing. Sowing winter wheat on September 15 with chemical plant protection yielded the highest conditional net profit of 14,800 UAH/ha and a profitability level of 103.3%. This suggests that precise timing and the right combination of technologies can lead to significant economic benefits.
For the energy sector, these findings are particularly relevant. As the world shifts towards more sustainable practices, the agricultural sector is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. The study’s emphasis on biological plant protection methods offers a blueprint for how this can be achieved without compromising economic viability. “The most profitable results, 11,000-11,100 UAH/ha, were obtained with the Ovidiy variety using integrated and chemical plant protection methods,” Hadzalo explains. This indicates that a balanced approach, integrating both biological and chemical methods, could be the key to sustainable and profitable agriculture.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. As farmers and agricultural companies look to the future, the findings from Hadzalo’s study provide a roadmap for achieving economic efficiency while adopting more sustainable practices. The study, published in the Scientific Papers Series: Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, is a testament to the potential of biologized technologies in reshaping the agricultural landscape.
As we stand on the cusp of a new era in agriculture, Hadzalo’s work serves as a beacon, guiding us towards a future where profitability and sustainability go hand in hand. The energy sector, in particular, stands to benefit from these insights, as the push for renewable and sustainable practices gains momentum. The future of agriculture is not just about growing crops; it’s about growing them sustainably and profitably. And according to Hadzalo’s research, that future is within our reach.