✍🏻20 November saw a crucial meeting on the development of cotton farming in Ukraine - and this is a tangible start to a great story in which our south can become the heart of the revival of the 'white gold'.

🌱 GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AS THE FOUNDATION OF A NEW STRATEGY
At the meeting, representatives of the government and farmers confirmed that state support for cotton farming is already working. According to Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, the payment amounts to ₴10,000 per hectare for cotton farmers in Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions.

"We are confidently moving forward," said Taras Vysotsky, "This support is part of a clear state strategy: to develop the light industry sector, create jobs, reduce import dependence and increase our own raw material base for strategic industries. This is not just money, but a strategic investment in the country's future."

🌍 REGIONS: NUMBERS, POTENTIAL, CHALLENGES
Regional data was also presented at the meeting. Representatives of the regional military administrations spoke about their plans:
- Mykolaiv region: there are already two companies that are to sow about 10 hectares by 2026.
- Odesa region: 20 hectares are planned for cotton in the region, with two companies operating. There is a possibility of increasing the planned sowing area to 100 hectares if there is a processor who is ready to take the first commercial batch of raw materials.
- Kherson region: so far, there are prospects, but the launch is delayed.
These figures are a clear signal that the southern regions are ready to turn into new agricultural hubs.

🧪 SCIENCE AS A DRIVER OF BREEDING
Scientists play an important role in this transformation. Serhiy Melnyk, Director of the Ukrainian Institute of Plant Variety Expertise, emphasised:
"Regarding cotton, today we had a clear assignment - to conduct environmental tests, describe the morphology, and investigate which varieties are suitable for the climate of southern Ukraine, in particular Bessarabia. According to calculations, this region is extremely promising: the climate here is very suitable for growing cotton - Once upon a time, in the southern part of the Kherson region and in Crimea, the area under this crop reached up to 300,000 hectares.

Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult to grow grain in the South due to drought and temperature fluctuations. Cotton is much more tolerant to drought, especially after germination. This crop can be a great alternative for farmers. It needs moisture at the germination stage, but then easily tolerates stress."

And this is not just scientific optimism, but an argument that can change the map of agricultural land use in southern Ukraine.

🌾 PRACTICE AND SELECTION
Alla Stoyanova, an agricultural expert and participant in research programmes, spoke at the meeting and shared the experience of Stoyanov A.A. Farm, where they tested 14 cotton varieties on 22 plots.
She noted that among all the options, Bulgarian breeding, especially varieties, proved to be the best:
- Philipopolis (irrigated) yielded 3.6 tonnes per hectare,
- Olivia (without irrigation) - reached 2.3 t/ha.

Alla Andriiivna also focused on domestic developments: scientists at the Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, in particular Vira Borovyk, are working on varieties adapted to extreme conditions:
- Pidozersky 4 is for non-irrigated land,
- Dniprovsky 5 is for irrigation.

Ms Stoyanova emphasised the strategic importance of building an in-house breeding laboratory: creating facilities for Ukrainian breeding is a way to independence, developing our own genetic base and reducing dependence on imports.

⚠️ WEAK POINT: RECYCLING
A separate concern was raised by Ms Stoyanova: even now there is no systematic mechanism for cotton processing in Ukraine. The crop grown on the experimental fields of her farm is currently used as a decor for flower shops in Odesa region, with the prospect of becoming a real industrial raw material in the future.

If you want to decorate your holiday or interior with real Ukrainian cotton, you can contact Stoyanov A.A. by phone 0676870008

Alla Stoyanova emphasised that "Today's meeting is not just a discussion of plans, but the start of agrotransformation. With government subsidies, the efforts of scientists and the support of farmers, cotton in Ukraine has every chance to become a strategic crop that will strengthen the economy, help light industry, and even increase the country's defence capability.
We are on our way to reviving the 'white gold' of the South as a symbol of strength, innovation and national independence. Life shows that when the state, science and business join forces, big dreams come true."