One of the largest grain market operators in Ukraine, Nibulon JV LLC, reduced water consumption by 34% in 2024 compared to the previous season by switching to modern approaches to plant protection products, in particular, by introducing lower water outflow rates during application, the agricultural holding’s press service reported on Facebook.
According to the agricultural holding, in 2024, Nibulon’s water intake from surface (river) and underground (well) sources amounted to 80,184 cubic meters, which is 34% less than in 2023 (121,210 cubic meters).
This became possible thanks to the use of modern sprayers and mixers of plant protection products (Nibulon uses RZS-28 made by Kobzarenko). The new equipment provides more accurate dosing of water and plant protection products, reduces losses during the preparation of working solutions and minimizes excessive use of water in working solutions,” the experts explained.
“One of the key solutions was the introduction of a low-volume outflow approach, which involves a significant reduction in the amount of water used during crop treatment. This helped to significantly reduce water consumption per hectare: up to 110 liters per hectare in the soil scheme, and 30-50 liters per hectare during insurance treatments. This approach not only reduced the burden on water resources, but also made it possible to ensure the effectiveness of plant protection through precise dosage of products and control of working solution parameters.
In addition, Nibulon has updated the technological maps for the application of crop protection products for the main crops – corn, soybeans, wheat and rapeseed.
Control over the use of water resources has been strengthened at the level of each Nibulon cluster. All processes are accompanied by regular reporting and analysis of the dynamics of use.
Nibulon added that rational use of natural resources is one of the steps towards sustainable development of the agricultural holding.
Nibulon JV LLC was established in 1991. Prior to the Russian military invasion, the grain trader had 27 transshipment terminals and crop reception complexes, a one-time storage capacity of 2.25 million tons of agricultural products, a fleet of 83 vessels (including 23 tugs), and owned the Mykolaiv Shipyard.
“Before the war, Nibulon cultivated 82 thousand hectares of land in 12 regions of Ukraine and exported agricultural products to more than 70 countries. In 2021, the grain trader exported the highest ever 5.64 mln tons of agricultural products and supplied record volumes to foreign markets in August – 0.7 mln tons, in the fourth quarter – 1.88 mln tons, and in the second half of the year – 3.71 mln tons.
Currently, the grain trader is operating at 32% of capacity, has set up a special unit to clear agricultural land of mines and had to move its headquarters from Mykolaiv to Kyiv.
