CULTIVATION OF NICHE CROPS UNDER CONDITIONS OF CROP PRODUCTION ECOLOGIZATION

Abstract

Purpose. To systematize and generalize scientific data on the cultivation features of niche cereal crops (buckwheat, millet, oats) under crop production ecologization conditions, particularly with the use of organic fertilizers, biopreparations and bacterial inoculants. Methods. The review study was conducted on the basis of analysis of scientific publications by Ukrainian and foreign authors, statistical data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, analytical materials from the National Scientific Center “Institute of Agrarian Economics”, the Ukrainian Grain Association and international databases (PubMed, Frontiers). Comparative analysis, generalization and systematization methods were used. Results. It was established that niche cereal crops have significant potential for ecologically oriented production due to their low requirements for predecessors, phytomeliorative and phytosanitary properties, and high nutritional value of grain. Production of buckwheat, millet and oats in Ukraine decreased significantly in 2025. Application of biopreparations provides a yield increase of 7–14% for cereals and legumes, while EM preparations increase yields by up to 40% compared to unfertilized conditions. The area of organic farmland in Ukraine decreased to 349.3 thousand hectares in 2024. It has been established that niche cereal crops have significant potential for environmentally oriented production due to their low requirements for preceding crops, phytomeliorative and phytosanitary properties, and the high nutritional value of their grain. The production of buckwheat, millet, and oats in Ukraine decreased substantially in 2025. The application of biological preparations provides a 7–14% increase in cereal crop yield, while EM preparations can increase yield by up to 40% compared with the unfertilized background. The area of organic agricultural land in Ukraine decreased to 349.3 thousand hectares in 2024. The identified trends indicate a contradiction between the agroecological potential of niche cereal crops and the actual reduction of their production base. Buckwheat, millet, and oats can perform not only a food-production function but also an agroecosystem function, since their inclusion in crop rotations helps reduce phytosanitary pressure, improve the structure of sown areas, and decrease dependence on intensive chemical technologies. Under conditions of growing demand for safe, functional, and organic products, these crops should be considered an important reserve for the diversification of crop production, especially for small and medium-sized farms focused on environmentally oriented technologies. Further development of niche cereal crop production should rely on adaptive crop rotations, local restoration of seed production, support for organic certification, and the formation of stable marketing channels, since technological advantages alone, without the economic interest of producers, cannot ensure a long-term expansion of sown areas Conclusions. Further research should focus on zonal adaptation of biopreparations for niche crops, optimization of crop rotations and formation of organic product market chains.