Lentils are gaining popularity among farmers in Ukraine

Ukrainian farmers are increasingly interested in growing niche crops, in particular lentils. This crop has a stable demand both in domestic and foreign markets.

Among the current markets for Ukrainian lentils are Turkey, South Africa, South American countries and Europe.

In addition, lentils are relatively unpretentious in cultivation and at the same time belong to expensive crops. If we talk about prices, fodder lentils in Ukraine currently cost from 24 to 27 thousand UAH including VAT per ton – depending on the region and conditions of sale.

Both domestic and imported varieties of lentils are cultivated in Ukraine. However, since there is not so much domestic seed material yet, agricultural producers mostly use seeds of foreign selection.

There are three main varieties of lentils: brown, green and red. For growing lentils in Ukraine, the best varieties are those that are resistant to the climatic conditions of our country, especially to dry periods and cold weather at the beginning of the growing season.

Experts advise growing lentils in regions with a moderately continental climate, which warm up well in summer and have cool autumn.

Lentils prefer not too moist and well-drained soils. Such conditions are found in the southern regions – Odessa, Kherson, Zaporizhia regions, where the climate is relatively warm.

Central regions, such as Kirovohrad, Cherkasy and Poltava, also have favorable soil conditions. However, it is important that the land is well-drained and not too prone to moisture accumulation.

In the northern regions, in particular in Chernihiv and Sumy regions, the climate is somewhat cooler and the soils are heavier. However, if you choose lentil varieties that are resistant to low temperatures and use proper farming techniques, you can still achieve the desired results.

An important factor is the amount of precipitation – an excessively humid climate can lead to plant diseases. That is why areas with moderate rainfall and fairly warm summer months are best suited for lentils.

Tags: Ukraine, lentil