Agricultural company Don Agro International is expecting a new all-time high harvest in 2022, with larger planted area and the trend in growing yields.
In 2021, Don Agro harvested 72,300 tonnes of winter wheat — an 11.3% improvement over 2020.
A significant part of 2021’s harvest was sold at the beginning of 2022, when wheat prices touched a 14-year peak. As such, the company expects to perform well in the FY ending December 31, 2022, in line with rising wheat prices and higher crop yield.
To accommodate the world’s rising demand for grain, Don Agro had increased the acreage for winter wheat from 24,032 hectares to 25,157 hectares.
It is also planning to harvest organic crops from 44 hectares of land this year, 4 times the pleated area allocated for its pilot project for organic wheat cultivation.
Don Agro chief agronomist Ivan Kalaytanov said the company is satisfied with the yields of organic wheat harvested last year and will continue to explore the growth potential of organic wheat.
“In accordance with the requirements for certified organic produce, we do not apply mineral fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides to the land. The growth of weeds is controlled by harrowing which involves the physical uprooting of weeds.
“In two years, we will be able to obtain an official organic certification of our wheat as per the existing rules and regulations of the relevant governing authorities,” he added.
Plans are also underway for the company to install solar panels to increase its sustainable energy usage. This year, Don Agro plans to install a solar power plan with a total capacity of 30kW on its territory.
Shares in Don Agro closed flat on May 31 at 25 cents.