Drought causes loses in Poland's grain harvest, other crops and animal breeders affected
Up to a million hectares of land could be affected by drought following weeks of record high temperatures in Poland.
According to European Union estimates, in 2014 agriculture provided 5.4 percent of Poland's GDP and land used for farming makes up approximately 60 percent of its territory. Special committees have already been set up in 12 of the country's 16 provinces to estimate the damages.
One of the hardest hit was the Gardeja municipality, where drought generated crop losses have reached up to 50 percent.
Jerzy Rutkowski, Gardeja agriculture inspector: "In our municipality of Gardeja, losses due to drought for the spring grains reach about 50 percent, while for the winter grains they are between 20 and 30 percent."
According to trade union estimates, the drought has also led to a 20 percent drop in milk production.
Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, farmer: "Pastures have dried up. Mainly for animal breeders there is a problem with fodder and the maintenance of animals. I have to feed the animals with fodder that was put away for winter."
Poland's Prime Minister announced earlier the government will take measures to assist farmers who have suffered losses from the drought.
Source - http://uatoday.tv/
