Each year, Dorogobuzh (a member of Acron Group) donates its products as a hand up to agricultural producers in Smolensk region. In 2019, Smolensk growers received 1,250 tonnes of mineral fertilisers free of charge.
The Company allocated 700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 300 tonnes of NPK to 91 agricultural enterprises in 23 districts in the region for spring sowing. Smolensk regional governor Alexey Ostrovsky reached out to Dorogobuzh management to ensure that mineral fertilisers were shipped to Smolensk growers as a matter of priority.
According to the regional Agriculture and Food Department, Smolensk growers sowed 151,500 hectares with spring crops in 2019, up 9,700 hectares year-on-year. Now they are finishing harvesting. Yields of major crops are as follows: 2.81 tonnes per hectare for grains and grain legumes, 21.48 tonnes per hectare for potatoes, 1.15 tonnes per hectare for rapeseed and 16.68 tonnes per hectare for vegetables.
According to Governor Alexey Ostrovsky, Smolensk growers are expected to harvest over 289,000 tonnes of grain in 2019, improving their performance by 13,000 tonnes year-on-year. The Governor also noted that this year, Smolensk region would set a new record for gross grain harvest, exceeding their performance from last year, which was the biggest harvest in 20 years.
Dorogobuzh also donated 250 tonnes of all-purpose complex mineral fertilisers to 26 agricultural enterprises in 15 districts in Smolensk region for autumn sowing. This autumn, growers are expected to sow 57,100 hectares for 2020 harvest (2019 harvest: 51,500 hectares). Smolensk, Gagarin, Glinka, Kardymovo, Monastyrschina, Pochinok, Sychovka and Yartsevo districts are among the major consumers of NPK in Smolensk region. When allocating its free product, the Company gave priority to growers cultivating at least 500 hectares of winter rapeseed and winter grains.
Alexander Tsarev, Acting Head of the Agriculture and Food Department of Smolensk region, places a high value on cooperation with Dorogobuzh: “Partnering with Dorogobuzh has helped us increase mineral fertiliser application and yields of major crops each year over the past several years. Our department appreciates the Company’s long-standing cooperation and is looking forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration in the future”.