In experimental cotton fields in the Odessa region, the first cotton bolls have been obtained, reports the agricultural enterprise participating in the experiment, Stoyanov A.A. farm.
The formation of bolls is the penultimate stage of cotton maturation. Inside the boll, the cotton fiber gradually matures. When it is fully mature, the bolls will open.
Growing cotton in Ukraine has strategic significance. Cotton is a raw material for producing nitrocellulose, which is used for making gunpowder. Ukraine's demand for this is estimated at 10,000 tons. To meet this demand, 30,000 hectares need to be sown, or an area half as large if cotton is grown on irrigated land.
It is worth noting that in April, the authorities of the Odessa region announced their readiness to revive cotton production in Ukraine. At the beginning of 2024, the parliamentary committee on agrarian and land policy voted and recommended for parliamentary consideration draft laws allowing the registration of rights to cotton varieties, including genetically modified ones. At the end of April, the Verkhovna Rada approved the relevant draft laws.
According to the Seed Association of Ukraine, the cotton research program has been launched in various regions of Ukraine: Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Odessa regions. The goal is to identify the most suitable areas for the spread and cultivation of cotton within Ukraine.
"Cotton is not just a plant; it is a symbol of our faith, our indomitable spirit, and our dedication to our homeland. We believe that this experiment will mark the beginning of a new era in Ukrainian agriculture, benefiting both our economy and our defense capabilities," said Alla Stoyanova.
