Southern regions of Russia, including the Rostov and Volgograd regions, are facing serious crop issues due to extreme weather conditions. On June 11, a state of emergency was declared in the Rostov region due to drought, following abnormal frosts in May that had already damaged the region. The drought has also affected the Volgograd region, where an irrigation canal has completely dried up, threatening the destruction of vegetables on tens of thousands of hectares.
Local farmers attribute the problems to the lack of maintenance at local pumping stations and argue that the situation could have been better if preventive measures had been taken. Specialists warn that the water deficit and weather anomalies could lead to higher prices for staple vegetables such as onions, carrots, and potatoes.
Experts note that Russian agriculture is facing difficulties due to its dependence on foreign equipment and the lack of technology to adapt to climate change. A report by Roshydromet in 2022 highlights the declining water availability in the Southern Federal District and forecasts an expansion of desert areas, necessitating the use of drought-resistant plant varieties.
Specialists express doubts about Russia's ability to quickly adapt to new climatic conditions, which could lead to prolonged problems in agriculture and rising food prices.
Source: kavkazr.com