The Humanitarian Demining Center of Ukraine has signed its first contract with the demining operator “Ukrainian Demining Services” to provide demining services for agricultural land. The contract covers an area of 86 hectares in the Shevchenkivska community of the Mykolaiv region. This was reported by Yuliya Svyrydenko, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, during a meeting of the Sectoral Working Group on Demining Activities.
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Savings for the State and Farmers
“This is the first agreement in Ukrainian history regarding the demining of agricultural land through open bidding in the Prozorro system. Due to competition, the initial price was reduced by over one million hryvnias. The state will save money, while the farmer will receive full compensation for the cost of demining,” Svyrydenko noted. A total of 11 similar auctions have taken place in the Prozorro system, with 2 to 6 participants competing. The price drop during the auctions exceeded 18%, resulting in savings for the state budget of over 44 million hryvnias.
Challenges of Demining
The farming enterprise that participated in the compensation program faced numerous challenges. The area to be cleared consists of 12 plots of varying difficulty, where cluster munitions, anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines have been identified. For the demining work, the operator will receive 4.85 million hryvnias.
The Compensation Program is Operational
“The signed contract and the active work of sappers are the best proof that the compensation program is functioning. It is important that both large and small agricultural producers participate in the program,” said Ihor Bezkaraivnyi, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
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Upcoming Auctions
The Humanitarian Demining Center has announced 20 auctions for the procurement of demining services for agricultural land totaling 6,690 hectares. The next nine auctions are scheduled for October 1, where services for an additional 2,470 hectares will be procured, with a starting price exceeding 172 million hryvnias.
The Humanitarian Demining Market is Functioning
“The conduct of auctions and the start of work are important for farmers and operators to see that the market is functioning,” emphasized Volodymyr Baida, Director of the Humanitarian Demining Center.
Coordination of Activities
Humanitarian demining in Ukraine is coordinated by the Ministry of Economy, which ensures interaction among central executive authorities on demining activities.
