Odesa farmers harvest first niche crop with yield of 2 metric tons per hectare

In Odesa Oblast, Chornomorets and Agro Firm Pivdenna, both part of the Tekom Agro Group, successfully harvested their inaugural oilseed flax crop, according to AgroTimes on August 12. Chornomorets had planted several hectares of the Goldberg variety of golden flax for the first time, aiming to familiarize themselves with the crop, study its cultivation characteristics, and adapt the technology to their agricultural enterprise.

The farm's deputy director for production, Ivan Olovatskyi, explained that they had chosen fields that had previously grown winter wheat, which they believed would enhance the flax crop's growth. Pivdenna agricultural company director, Oleksii Lohinov, expressed optimism about the results, stating that with the right cultivation techniques, effective weed control, and optimal soil moisture preservation, the crop could consistently reach its full potential and serve as a valuable addition to crop rotation.

The trial plot involved testing three flax varieties - Vodohray, Liryna, and Dunai - and yielded an average of approximately 2 metric tons per hectare. Earlier, TAS Agro agricultural holding, led by Serhiy Tihipko, also harvested its first oilseed flax crop, reporting that the yield exceeded their targets. Oleh Zapletniuk, CEO of TAS Agro, highlighted the company's belief in oilseed flax as a promising niche crop with significant export potential.