THE PROBLEMS OF ECOLOGICAL OPTIMIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN LUHANSK REGION

Abstract

At present, land resources have suffered such a heavy pressure that their ecological state and ecological situation became disastrous. Under conditions of the reformation of agricultural production and the reform of land relations, there are two opposing standpoints: an economic one that implies the production of maximum possible amount of agricultural produce and an ecological one according to which the protection of soil surface against degradation is of priority. The situation in Luhansk region in war years makes us review the whole structure of the regional economy by optimizing the structure of land use, particularly in the sphere of agrarian production. The situation in the agro-sphere of Luhansk region has reached a critical state: the areas of eroded lands are growing as well as the areas of salty, alkalized soils, waterlogged and man-made polluted soils, resulting in the land degradation. Therefore it is quite obvious that there is an urgent need to restructure agricultural land fund that conforms with one of the aspects of the land reform that was initiated after the restoration of the independence of Ukraine. It is necessary to review the structure of cultivated areas to the advantage of erosion resistant agricultural state of the soil. The most erodible areas are those under black fallow and cultivated crops, therefore it is necessary to regulate the structure of cultivated lands taking into account natural conditions. The most essential ways of optimization of agricultural land use in Luhansk region that will provide the improvement of the fertility of soils with a different state of erosion are soil protecting treatment, phytomelioration, irrigating melioration, contour organization of the territory and other agro-technical measures. The lands, that should be removed from intensive usage, may and should perform new social-economic and ecological functions, that is serve as forage grasslands, recreation and natural reserves, etc. Along with that, it is reasonable to recover some traditional but unduly forgotten branches of agriculture in Luhansk region (horse-raising, bee-keeping, fishing) and at the same time to refuse from pursuing high yield at any cost. Thus, it is necessary to protect land resources in order to provide future generations with them and in this way to provide the agrarian sphere of Luhansk region with sustainable development.