Farmers have already begun sowing beans and peas, harrowing fields and fertilizing winter crops, which have survived the winter with very little damage. However they still have to be fed nitrogen and various minerals and microelements to encourage further development.
“Potential is very high that there could be a good harvest. So if there will be moisture, then we have to not make any sort of mistakes,” said Balodis.
The specialist said that the fields which were sown in the fall look extremely well, and that more intensive spring sowing could begin after Easter. Sowing can begin as soon as the soil is ready, even if it's still a bit chilly.
As previously reported, provisional data released by the Central Statistical Bureau shows that Latvian farmers enjoyed one their most productive years ever, with records being broken for several crops.
2019 saw harvested production of grain at a record 3.2 million tonnes, which is 1.1 million t or 1.5 times more than the year before. The average grain yield per one hectare reached 42.6 ql., which is the second highest grain yield in the history of Latvia (44.9 ql. were harvested in 2015). Exports of grain reached a record amount as well – 2.8 million t or EUR 518 million.
