Energy crops and plantations are key to the development of bioenergy.

Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitalii Koval visited the L. Pohorilyi Institute, the country’s leading research center for agricultural machinery testing and innovative technology implementation.

During his visit, Koval inspected the institute’s energy crop fields, which are crucial for Ukraine’s bioenergy sector.

“The institute cultivates and distributes seeds of energy willow, poplar, miscanthus, and paulownia. Paulownia is used not only in bioenergy but also in construction materials and even drone manufacturing. For example, one hectare of miscanthus plantation can replace approximately 10,000 cubic meters of natural gas in energy equivalent. It is suitable for all solid-fuel boilers and can serve as an alternative to gas, firewood, and coal,” Koval stated.

The minister emphasized that energy crops are perennial plantations best suited for low-productivity and degraded lands. As part of the "Land Bank" project, plots for perennial crops will soon be auctioned.

"Research at the institute helps identify effective alternatives to traditional fuels, which is especially relevant amid the energy crisis. The L. Pohorilyi Institute not only implements European standards in Ukrainian agriculture but also helps domestic machinery producers enter international markets. This is a significant step toward the European integration of our agricultural sector," Koval concluded.

Source - https://odessa-journal.com