Persistent Drought Threatens Slovakia's First Crop and Fodder Yields

Slovakia is grappling with a severe and prolonged drought that is casting a long shadow over its agricultural sector, threatening the crucial first harvests of crops and fodder. Farmers across the country are reporting slowed growth in grains and other essential crops, with germination and subsequent vegetation development significantly hindered by the persistent lack of rainfall. The situation is particularly dire in the Trebišov district, where the last rainfall occurred at the end of February, leading to critical water deficit levels.

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Sucho spomaľuje rast plodín aj obilnín a má negatívny vplyv na vzchádzanie plodín i vývoj ďalšej vegetácie.

The Slovak Chamber of Agriculture and Food (SPPK) is actively monitoring the drought's impact, assessing the conditions farmers face and their capacity for irrigation. In Trebišov, farmers are already observing a stark reduction in yields for grains and spring barley, with estimates suggesting harvests are only at 20-30% of previous years' levels. The scarcity of water is also severely affecting permanent grasslands and pastures, raising concerns about the availability of feed for livestock as animals are moved to graze. Tomáš Volkai, chairman of the Regional Chamber of Agriculture and Food (RPPK) in Trebišov, expressed grave concern, predicting a potential loss of 2-3 tons per hectare below average if the dry spell continues.

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Sme v zberovej fáze, zbiera sa raž na zeleno. Oproti minulým rokom je to zatiaľ len na úrovni 20 - 30 % množstva. Začína byť ohrozená krmovinová základňa a uvidíme, ako to bude vyzerať v najbližších dňoch a týždňoch.

Similar anxieties are echoed by farmers in the Trenčín region, who fear for their spring crops and the fodder base for their livestock. The yields for silage rye, a key component of animal feed, are reportedly halved compared to last year. The dry soil conditions at the time of sowing have led to poor crop stands or a complete failure to germinate for many spring crops. Compounding the issue, constant winds are exacerbating the soil's dryness. The SPPK highlights that this deficit in precipitation is not confined to specific regions; areas like Nitra and Liptov are also reporting significant rainfall deficits. In Liptov, farmers have been unable to plant corn or potatoes due to recent frosts and ongoing drought, with both winter and spring crops struggling to grow. The widespread impact of this drought poses a substantial threat to Slovakia's food security and the viability of its agricultural sector.

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To znamená približne polovičnú úrodu zelenej hmoty zo senáže raží oproti minulému roku.