Southern Ukraine in the grip of drought: can organic farming save the soil and crops?

The summer of 2025 was the most difficult in the last decade for farmers in southern Ukraine. In Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhia, and part of Odessa regions, there was no rain for 40 to 50 days in a row, and average daily temperatures in June and July remained above +33 °C.

• According to the Ukrhydrometeorological Center, the level of soil moisture in the meter layer fell twice below normal, and in many areas – to a critical 10–20 mm (with a norm of 70–100 mm).
• The European Drought Observatory recorded that more than 80% of southern Ukraine is in a zone of “severe or extreme drought.”
• The All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council reported losses of over 500 thousand hectares of crops, mostly sunflower and corn.
• In the Mykolaiv region, farmers have filed about 700 appeals regarding the complete loss of the crop, and local communities are talking about an actual drop in yields of 40–60%.
• In general, farmers estimate losses of over $1 billion in 2025 alone.

And this is not just a seasonal problem, but a consequence of systemic climate change and the destruction of irrigation infrastructure after the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP in 2023. Without irrigation, more than 584 thousand hectares of arable land in the Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Mykolaiv regions remained practically unsuitable for growing traditional crops.

Why is this important?

The drought in the south is not only about lost crops and billions in losses for farmers. It is:

• soil depletion: without moisture and cover crops, humus quickly degrades;
• biodiversity loss: groves dry up, wild pollinators disappear;
• increasing risk of desertification: the steppe zone without irrigation is turning into a “dry steppe”, and in places into a semi-desert.

The way out of this situation is possible through the introduction of the latest organo-mineral complexes that combine a mineral base with biologically active substances. In particular, complex granular fertilizers GREENODIN™ (GRAY, BROWN, BLACK) contain natural minerals and 27 types of agronomically useful microorganisms that increase plant resistance to drought, improve soil structure and allow reducing the rate of application with each season. Which, combined with the use of green manure, gives a complex effect on reducing solar activity on soils, retaining moisture in them and gradually increasing organic matter.

Organic solutions against drought

Despite the dramatic situation, organic farming itself can provide some of the answers.

1. Cover crops (green manures, legume mixtures) retain moisture, reduce soil temperature, and form a living mulch.
2. Mulching with crop residues is a natural “shield” against evaporation.
3. Agroforestry: strips of trees along fields reduce wind force, retain moisture, and serve as shelter for beneficial insects.
4. Compost and biohumus improve the structure of the soil, making it a “sponge” for rainwater.
5. Drip irrigation with water reuse (even on a small scale) gives better results than classic sprinkler systems

Environmental dimension

Today’s drought is not an “anomaly”, but new climatic realities. Solving the problem is not limited to compensation for farmers. It is about:

• restoration of irrigation based on ecological principles (water saving, closed cycles),
• supporting organic practices that restore fertility,
• development of local cooperatives for joint investments in water conservation.

Drought-2025 showed: the southern black soil can no longer be perceived as an “inexhaustible resource”. More than half a million hectares have been lost, billions in losses have been recorded, and new crops are under threat. Without organic soil and moisture management methods, farmers risk losing more and more areas every year. But the transition to zero-waste, biodiversity, and smart irrigation can turn the crisis into a starting point for a new model of agriculture.

One of the proven solutions for the South of Ukraine is the use of organic-mineral complex fertilizers GREENODIN™, which are being improved by the Institute of Nanotechnologies and Organic Products “AVELIFE”. Their action is aimed at restoring the soil biocenosis, increasing its water-holding capacity and reducing acidity. More information about the products and application technology is available on the website https://greenodin.site/.