Irrigation systems as a factor in increasing productivity in agricultural regions of Ukraine

The research relevance is determined by the need to analyse the efficiency of irrigation systems in the agricultural regions of Ukraine against the background of increasing climate change and moisture deficit, which affect the stability of agricultural production. The study aimed to determine the impact of irrigation on the productivity of major crops (sunflower, wheat and winter rape) and to assess the economic efficiency of introducing irrigation technologies in arid regions of Ukraine. The study used agronomic and economic methods of analysis. The irrigation efficiency was determined by comparing crop yields under different water supply regimes. The cost-effectiveness assessment included an analysis of the costs of installing and operating irrigation systems concerning the increase in yields and product quality. The study determined that the use of irrigation increased the yield of sunflower by 28-48%, winter wheat by 15-25%, and rapeseed by 25-35%. Optimal water supply contributed to an increase in the protein and gluten content of wheat grain and an increase in the oil level of rapeseed. An analysis of the economic efficiency of irrigation showed that the payback period depended on the type of system: drip irrigation provided the highest yield increase with minimal water consumption, while sprinklers required higher operating costs. Irrigation was substantial in increasing crop productivity in the arid regions of Ukraine. Adaptive irrigation technologies, including automated water management systems, proved to be the most effective. The introduction of modern irrigation methods will help optimise the water balance of soils, reduce the negative impact of drought and increase the economic profitability of agricultural production