Match the English words and their definitions.

1) property 2) branch 3) source 4) volume 5) enterprise

a) a place, person or thing that you get smth from; b) a business unit; c) a subdivision or subsidiary section of something more complex; d) a thing or things that are owned by sb; e) a large mass or quantity

Complete the sentences with the suitable words from the box.

exporters GDP climatic crops

black soil sources sector

1) The agricultural _____ plays a significant role in Ukraine’s economy.

2) Agriculture is one of the country’s key contributors to _____.

3) Ukraine’s agriculture is one of the main _____ of export.

4) Ukraine is one of the world’s top grain _____.

5) Ukraine’s _____ is very fertile.

6) Ukraine is comprised of three distinct _____ zones. It allows producers to vary _____ grown across the country.

READING AND speaking

Read the following text.

Agriculture of Ukraine

Historically, Ukraine is well known for its agricultural production. The country has for many years been known as the Breadbasket of Europe due to its ability to produce vast amounts of grain. Ukraine has a favourable combination of climatic conditions, land and labour resources, well-developed transport infrastructure, and close foreign markets. This accounts for the high potential of its agricultural production.

The country possesses considerable volumes of natural resources. Analysts estimate that one quarter of the world’s black soil reserves are located in Ukraine. The country’s black soil is deemed the best in the world because of its physical, chemical, agrochemical, and mineralogical properties.

Of Ukraine’s total area of 60.4 million hectares, 71% is agricultural land (including cultivated land, gardens, orchards, vineyards, and permanent meadows and pastures), 17% is used for forestry, the rest is for housing, industrial and other purposes.

Agriculture is the country’s second largest source of export (after steel industry). This sector produces 12,8% of GDP and employs 23.1 percent of the work force.

The main branches of agricultural production are crop growing and livestock farming.

Fertile soil makes it possible to grow a variety of crops. The weather is suitable for both winter and spring crops. Being a large grain producer, Ukraine is one of world’s largest grain exporters, supplying to 80 countries worldwide. The country is also the biggest exporter of sunflower oil and has substantial potential in growing and exporting rapeseed.

Winter wheat, spring barley, and maize are the country's main grain crops. Other cereals include buckwheat, oats, and millet.

Wheat is grown throughout the country, but central and south-central Ukraine are the key production zones. About 95 percent of Ukraine wheat is winter wheat, planted in autumn and harvested during July and August of the following year.

Barley has been the top feed grain in Ukraine for most of the past ten years. Spring barley accounts for over 90 percent of barley area, and the main production region is eastern Ukraine.

Maize is the third important feed grain in Ukraine. Only 25 to 50 percent of total maize area is harvested for grain; the rest is cut for silage and used chiefly for animal feed.

Sunflowers, sugar beets and rapeseed are the main technical, or industrial, crops.

Sunflowerseed is Ukraine's chief oilseed crop. Its production is concentrated in the southern and eastern regions. Sugar beets are grown primarily in central and western Ukraine.

Most cereal and industrial crops are produced by large agricultural enterprises that were established when Ukraine’s farm sector was restructured in April 2000. By contrast, nearly 90% of the country’s vegetables are grown on private household plots.

Ukraine's farmers produce large amounts of potatoes used as a food staple and for making starch and alcohol. Other major crops include tomatoes, cabbages, cucumbers, carrots, onions, squashes, apples, sour cherries.

The second largest branch of farm production is animal husbandry. Ukraine’s farms specialize in cattle breeding, pig raising, sheep rearing, horse breeding. Great progress has been made in poultry farming, fisheries, and apiculture. Livestock products include cattle, for beef and hides; dairy cattle for milk; sheep, for mutton (lamb) and wool; pigs, for pork and lard; poultry (chiefly chickens but also turkeys and ducks) for meat and eggs; and horses, primarily for recreation.

Currently, the agricultural sector is experiencing serious internal difficulties, due to the transitional nature of the economy. It faces many problems including a lack of working capital, weak state support. Many Ukrainian farms require new equipment and sufficient knowledge of modern farming technologies. But Ukraine is determined to re-establish its age old reputation as the breadbasket of Europe.

Answer the questions.

1) What conditions does Ukraine have for agricultural production?

2) Why is our black soil considered to be the best in the world?

3) How much land is used for agriculture?

4) What are the main branches of agriculture?

5) What grain crops do Ukrainian farmers grow?

6) What are the chief industrial crops?

7) What does animal husbandry specialize in?

8) What problems face Ukrainian agriculture nowadays?