Kharkiv Oblast's changing agricultural landscape: A geospatial study of agricultural impact, 2021–2024Food & Agriculture Org. - 40 pagine Through satellite imagery and remote sensing techniques, changes in agricultural land use in Kharkiv Oblast over four consecutive seasons (2021–2024) were quantified to reveal conflict‑related impacts on cultivation and abandonment. Pre‑invasion farmland extent was determined to be 1 859 304 ha. Uncultivated area increased to 24 percent of total farmland in 2022 and 28 percent in 2023 before declining to 19 percent in 2024, with the highest levels of abandonment recorded in northeastern and southeastern districts. Wheat and barley acreage was reduced from 618 000 ha in 2021 to 297 000 ha in 2023, then rebounded to 539 000 ha by 2024. Maize cultivation peaked at 335 000 ha in 2022 but fell to 185 000 ha by 2024. Sunflower cropping expanded steadily from 325 000 ha in 2022 to 589 000 ha in 2024. These trends underscore both the vulnerability and resilience of regional cropping systems under conflict stress and identify priority areas for remediation, targeted farmer support and the restoration of food security. |

