As part of the collaboration between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine (Minagro) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), with financial support from the governments of Austria and Canada, a new cycle of the support program for farmers in the Kharkiv region is being launched. The program focuses on clearing agricultural lands of unexploded ordnance and restoring them for sustainable agricultural activities.
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Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Vitaliy Kovalev, emphasized the importance of this initiative for farmers in frontline and recently liberated areas. He noted that one of the main challenges is overcoming the crisis consequences of the war, with humanitarian demining of agricultural lands being a priority. This is a key step in the recovery of the agricultural sector, and for that reason, Minagro continues to cooperate with international partners to assist Ukrainian farmers.
Eligibility for the program
The support program provides assistance to farmers who manage between 3 and 300 hectares of land in the following communities in Kharkiv region: Balakliyska, Barvinkivska, Vilkhivska, Donetska, Iziumska, Kunkivska, Malynivska, Oskilivska, Pechenizka, Rohanska, Savynska, Slobozhanska, Chkalovska, Chuhuivska, and Shevchenkivska.
Applications are being accepted until December 29, 2024, through the State Agrarian Register (DAR). Farmers who require assistance with mine clearance and land rehabilitation can apply for financial support, vouchers for restoring agricultural activities, and help with clearing land from unexploded ordnance.
How to apply
To participate in the program, farmers must provide detailed information about their land plots, including:
- The percentage of land that is not being cultivated due to artillery shelling.
- The number of workers on the farm before and after February 2022.
- The percentage of the surface damaged by bombs.
- The percentage of contamination zones.
- The share of land classified as state land.
- The connection of the plots to the watershed.
Farmers must also provide the relevant cadastral numbers for the affected lands, which will be cross-referenced with satellite imagery to ensure accurate assessment and effective planning of the response.
Priorities and selection conditions
Submitting an application is only the initial step of the process and does not guarantee assistance. If multiple applications are submitted by one entity, priority will be given to registered legal entities to ensure a transparent and fair selection process.
Importance of the program for agricultural sector recovery
This program is a crucial step in restoring the agricultural sector in the Kharkiv region. It will help farmers resume their activities, restore production, and contribute to both regional and global food security.
Contacts and additional materials
For registration and application submission, farmers can use the instructions provided on the DAR portal. The following contact information is available for consultations:
- DAR Contact Center: +38 044 339 9215; support@dar.gov.ua
- FAO Hotline: +38 099 090 7582; +38 068 318 0943; UA-Feedback@fao.org
This program will enable farmers in the Kharkiv region to restore their land resources and ensure stable production in peaceful areas.
