In 2009, production of leguminous and cereal grain crops in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' totalled 1 432 400 tonnes, and the average crop yield was 2.44 tonnes/ha - the highest yield in 50 years. However extremely hot and dry weather conditions in 2010 caused a sharp reduction in harvest volumes, so that Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' had a total harvest of just 541 500 tonnes and an average crop yield of 1.36 tonnes/ha. 2010 harvest figures for the region were significantly lower than in 2006, when the total harvest volume was 1 169 900 tonnes and the average crop yield 2.05 tonnes/ha. Crop yields in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' vary significantly between years, with yields being highly dependent on climate conditions. The greatest variation in yields occurs with maize, millet, and buckwheat crops. Strong variation in yields is also evident for wheat and leguminous crops, and moderate variation occurs in yields of rye, barley, and oats. For agricultural enterprises, the most significant factor influencing their production volumes and incomes is the structure of crops produced. The structure of crops produced in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' has changed significantly since the pre-reform period, with a marked shift towards cultivation of food grade cereal grains, and away from production of feed crops. In 2010, wheat accounted for 56.8% of the region's total harvest, barley 21.9%, oats 10.7%, rye 7.6%, legumes 2.5%, triticale 0.4%, and groats crops 0.1%. Agricultural organizations continue to be the main cereal grain producers, despite increases in land areas used for cereal grain cultivation by private (peasant) farmers. In 2010, agricultural enterprises accounted for 92.2% of cereal grain production. Individual secondary farms account for only an insignificant proportion of grain crop production. Problems faced by enterprises operating in the region's cereal grain segment include a poor technical base, low rates of fertiliser application, and difficulties in securing suitably qualified workers. Approximately 80% of machines used by these enterprises have been in use for longer than their intended operating life. These problems have adverse effects on the efficiency of harvesting operations and on crop yields. It is important to address these issues if higher and more stable production volumes are to be achieved, and the profitability of crop production activities improved.
