March 6 2006, 15:47

More than 110 ha of intensive apple orchards were established in Zakarpattya past year

More than 110 ha of intensive apple orchards were established in Zakarpattya past year, according to the information provided by Roman Salo, the Coordinator of Zakarpattya office, Agricultural Marketing Project. More than 100 ha accrue on five large farms. Small farms are not lagging behind; they establish orchards of several hectares. One quarter of new orchards consists of M-9 stocks, so trellis and drip irrigation are necessary. Roman Salo adds that orchard establishment is supported by governmental reimbursement of the born expenses.

Attractive apple prices and favorable weather conditions of Zakarpattya oblast encourage orchard development here. Demand on this product grows constantly, it especially concerns marketable dessert apple grown with application of drip irrigation and modern production technologies. Despite of the extension of intensive orchards acreage, the total orchard acreage in Zakarpattya decreases each year because of old orchards elimination; most of them are 20 and more years old. This 2006 year in Zakarpattya may be the first after many years when apple orchards acreage do not decrease at least.

The largest and the most technological farm - apple producer in Zakarpattya - is KONYK farm. It is almost single local producer of marketable apples in the industrial volumes. In 2005 more than 4,000 of apples (more than 32 ton/ha) were harvested from 123 ha. The farm manages 20-year-old orchard with stocks MM-106. KONYK farm has been successful as it accurately follows all the technological elements, feeds the orchard in a proper manner and control pests and diseases.

The specialists of Zakarpattya AMP office forecast the extension of intensive orchard acreage to be the same as in 2005. The supply of the national marketable apple could be increased in a short-term perspective, as an intensive apple orchard with M-9 stocks yields 20 tons/ha in two-three years.