RESOURCE POTENTIAL AND STRATEGIC GUIDELINES FOR ENERGY CROP CULTIVATION ON MARGINAL LANDS OF UKRAINE UNTIL 2035

Abstract

The article explores the strategic directions for the development of Ukraine's bioenergy sector under the conditions of martial law and global energy challenges. It is substantiated that the implementation of alternative energy sources, particularly phyto-energy raw materials, is a critical condition for strengthening the state's energy independence and economic security. The current state and prospective resource opportunities for solid biofuel production based on perennial energy crops with the C4 photosynthetic pathway are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to such crops as giant miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus G.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), perennial sorghum (Sorghum almum Parodi), Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby), energy willow, and poplar. The paper presents an assessment of the actual cultivation areas of these crops in Ukraine as of 2025, establishing the dominant role of energy willow (over 60% of the market) and a gradual increase in interest in herbaceous species due to their high energy density. The authors highlight the environmental benefits of establishing energy plantations, specifically their role in preventing soil degradation and minimizing water erosion. The potential for utilizing marginal (lowproductivity) lands, the area of which in Ukraine is estimated at 6–13 million hectares, is outlined. It is proven that involving 1.5 million hectares of such lands by 2035 will significantly increase the volume of natural gas import substitution and facilitate the formation of local energy clusters. Within the scope of the study, data from the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine regarding the promising gene pool of energy crops suitable for distribution in various agro-climatic zones are systematized. A comparative analysis of the technological aspects of crop propagation (vegetative and generative) is conducted, with emphasis on the necessity of creating a robust nursery base to provide agricultural enterprises with high-quality planting material. A differentiated approach to crop selection depending on the hydrothermal conditions of the region is scientifically justified: the advantages of miscanthus and willow in areas with sufficient moisture are noted, as well as the adaptability of switchgrass, Sida, and poplar to drought conditions. The results confirm that the intensification of specialized energy crop cultivation is a key tool for energy decarbonization and the sustainable development of agricultural territories.