In total, about 2 million hectares of agricultural land remain potentially mined, – Vitaliy Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine

The agricultural sector is one of Ukraine’s business cards on the international stage. That is why, after the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia began actively exporting grain and other products from the occupied territories and selling them as its own. Nevertheless, our agricultural sector continues to develop and approach European standards. We talked to Vitaliy Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Industry of Ukraine, about scaling up our exports to Africa and Asia, prospects for cooperation with the EU, and the damage caused by the war with Russia.

Tetiana Stelmakh: Today, about 139 thousand km² are mined in Ukraine, of which 31 thousand km² have already been de-mined. How much time and resources does Ukraine need to demine at least the de-occupied area? What damage does the mining cause to farmers and our economy as a whole?

Vitaliy Koval: We lost about 20.5% of agricultural land due to the war. Returning land to cultivation is a complex process. Mine clearance is the first step, but it is also necessary to restore soil fertility and conduct laboratory tests for heavy metals and other contaminants.

To compensate for the losses, it is necessary to increase investment in the agricultural sector, develop irrigation systems, use high-quality seeds and fertilizers, and build modern elevators and storage facilities.

The state budget for 2025 allocates UAH 1 billion for the demining of agricultural land. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy continues to cooperate with international partners on the humanitarian demining process. 

In total, in 2025, we plan to inspect and clear explosive hazardous agricultural land on an area of 65094.48 hectares (for example, 77% of the area of Kyiv). As of the beginning of May 2025, 21.2 thousand hectares of agricultural land have been surveyed. Of these, 10.2 thousand hectares have been demined, and the area in use is 11.6 thousand hectares.

According to the results of the survey and demining of agricultural land in 2023-2024, the area amounted to 598.1 thousand hectares and 412.7 thousand hectares, respectively. The area that is ready for use is 499.5 thousand hectares.

The fields near the combat zone (20 km from the front line) are potentially dangerous and are prohibited for humanitarian demining. In total, about 2 million hectares of agricultural land remain potentially mined.

Today, the state covers 100% of the cost of demining for farmers who started the process after April 15, 2024, and 80% for those who cleared their fields earlier. To take advantage of the program, you need to apply through the State Agrarian Register (SAR). Verification is carried out by the Humanitarian Demining Center.

As of the end of April, farmers have submitted 228 applications under the state program to compensate for the cost of demining agricultural land. In total, 15 auctions were held this year for the purchase of land demining services worth UAH 299.1 million with a total area of 4.4 thousand hectares. 

Also, thanks to cooperation with international partners, we managed to attract more than USD 700 million in equivalent for humanitarian demining projects for 2022-2027. Key donors include: The United States, Switzerland, Norway, EU countries, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany, and others.

Each Ukrainian hectare feeds 18 people, so cleaning up war-torn land is a step towards food security in Ukraine and the world. I would like to remind you that 400 million people around the world receive food from Ukraine.

T.S.: How much grain and other agricultural products has Russia exported over the three years of full-scale war? Where does it sell these products and what actions should the Western community take to stop it or at least slow it down, given that Russia is constantly finding new ways to circumvent sanctions? 

V.K.: At various levels and international platforms, we emphasize the need to block Russia’s trade in stolen Ukrainian grain at the international level. Every year, Russia steals 5 million tons of grain from the occupied territories of Ukraine and, using technical means, passes this grain off as its own. This grain is then shipped to the markets of the Middle East and Africa, and the proceeds are used to finance military operations on the territory of Ukraine.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a grain inspection scheme in Vilnius with the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, Kazys Starkevičius.

It is a scheme for checking Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia from the occupied territories using a special GVS system. The goal is to prevent transshipment of this grain through Lithuanian ports. This trilateral document of understanding between the Ukrainian, Lithuanian and British parties was the first step to counteract the trade in stolen Ukrainian grain. 

T.S.: What European integration stages does Ukraine’s agricultural sector have to go through to bring us closer to EU membership? What are the main requirements for your sector of activity set by the EU? 

V.K.: We are currently conducting simulation sessions, which are a direct preparation for the official EU screening. As part of this preparation, we have the opportunity to see and understand how the screening will take place in the sections for which the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is responsible. And also to prepare more thoroughly to ensure that the result of this screening is the best possible.

The next stage will be the screening itself, which is scheduled to take place within 3 weeks in September this year. Based on its results, a plan for further implementation of EU regulations will be developed. In fact, the screening is the beginning of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. That is, based on its results, we will get a clear understanding of the next steps that Ukraine should take to further its European integration. We will also be able to conduct negotiations to ensure that this process takes into account the interests of the Ukrainian agricultural sector as much as possible.

T.S.: What reforms has the Ministry already completed and which ones will be implemented in the near future? What difficulties do you face in fulfilling the EU requirements?

V.K.: One of the priorities of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is European integration. It is important for us to move towards European standards, understanding the pain points of Ukrainian business and helping it in these transformations. At the same time, businesses focused on exporting to the EU have their finger on the pulse and have long been investing in their production facilities in accordance with EU standards.

Currently, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is mainly responsible for preparing for bilateral meetings between Ukraine and the European Commission as part of the official screening of the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law under the negotiating chapters of Cluster 5: 

• 11 “Agriculture and Rural Development”, 
• 12 “Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy”,
• 13 “Fisheries and Fisheries”, which will take place in September 2025.

Experts of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy are working on preparing responses to the questionnaires and presentations in accordance with the agenda of the bilateral meetings. 

The total number of acts to be screened is 2239.

Additionally, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is involved in preparing for bilateral meetings on 16 negotiating chapters.

To date, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy has developed 12 European integration draft laws.

According to the recommendations of the European Commission, in 2025 Ukraine should:

Chapter 11 “Agriculture and Rural Development”

• implement the legislation on the State Agrarian Register and use the SAR for all agricultural and rural development programs;
• develop a system of data on sustainable farm development (FSDN).

Chapter 12 “Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy”

• complete the legislative approximation necessary to fulfill the requirements of the Association Agreement on plant health, genetically modified organisms and official controls, continue approximation to EU animal welfare legislation and strengthen administrative capacities to meet the requirements;
• continue to expand the use of TRACES with new certificates for phytosanitary and other purposes;
• continue the reform of food safety authorities and ensure registration, identification and monitoring of animal movements in accordance with EU requirements.

Chapter 13 “Fisheries and fisheries”

• Continue to harmonize national legislation with the EU acquis, including legislation on data collection, management and use, traceability of aquatic resources and control systems;
• take preparatory measures for the establishment of a special fisheries control body to combat illegal, unaccountable and unregulated (IUU) fishing;
• continue to modernize the state electronic fisheries management system (eFish) and harmonize it with the relevant EU registers.

This is a long-term and mutual process – Ukraine is required to bring its agricultural production standards in line with those in the EU, while the European side also faces a big challenge – to formulate new terms of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and include such a large, in a good way, player in the agricultural sector as Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine’s accession to the EU will ensure Europe’s food independence from third markets, such as the United States, South America, etc.

It should be understood that European standards are constantly changing, so our goal is to adapt them step by step, as well as to ensure favorable conditions for the transition to EU standards during negotiations between Ukraine and the EU.  

The biggest obstacle to Ukraine’s accession to the EU is the war with Russia, and no country has ever gone through the accession process while at war. 

T.S.: You have a section on your website called #Unbreakable Agrarians, where you talk about farmers who are rebuilding their businesses after the destruction caused by Russia. How does the Ministry help our business (small and large) to recover? In general, what business support programs is the Ministry currently promoting? 

V.K.: There are a number of programs to support farmers. In total, the state budget for 2025 allocates more than UAH 6 billion to support farmers. The main areas of support for farmers in 2025:

Program “Affordable Loans 5-7-9”

• Farmers can receive loans of up to UAH 90 million at 5-9% per annum. Starting from January 1, 2025, loans under the “Affordable Loans 5-7-9” program will be provided to agricultural producers (prolonged) provided that they have registered with the State Agency for Agrarian Policy.
• The Government has recently expanded the opportunities for farmers to build vegetable storage facilities. This is important news for Ukrainian vegetable farmers. It opens up new opportunities under the Affordable Loans 5-7-9% program.  From now on, agricultural producers investing in the construction of vegetable and potato storage facilities will be able to benefit from government support in the form of loan interest rate compensation of up to UAH 150 million, as well as livestock and processing companies.
• In total, since the beginning of 2025, more than 3,452 farms have already received almost UAH 20.5 billion in loans. In 2024, 8,750 farms received UAH 46.9 billion in loans under this program.

Support for farms and agricultural producers:

• UAH 4.73 billion for subsidies for cultivated land and livestock, including support for farms in the de-occupied territories.
• UAH 1.42 billion – for subsidies for cattle (from 3 to 100 heads, UAH 7 thousand per head).
• UAH 472.5 million to support the breeding stock of goats and sheep (from 5 to 500 heads, UAH 2 thousand per head).
• UAH 1 billion – for the development of livestock and agricultural processing.

Compensation for humanitarian demining costs

• UAH 1 billion for the demining of agricultural land to restore agricultural production in the affected regions.

Support for reclamation, fish farming and farms

• UAH 205 million to support producers using reclaimed land, compensation of unified social tax to family farmers, and assistance to fish producers in the de-occupied and affected areas.

Lending to farmers

• UAH 80 million for affordable lending to farmers for business development and modernization.

Development grants

• UAH 1.37 billion – under the program “Provision of grants for business creation or development”.
• UAH 479.5 million – for the development of horticulture, berry growing, viticulture and greenhouse farming:
• UAH 320.5 million for orchards, berries, and vineyards.
• UAH 159 million – for greenhouses.

Livestock development

• Reimbursement of the cost of breeding animals.
• Subsidies for livestock growth.
• Compensation for construction and reconstruction of livestock farms.

As for the lost machinery, there is a state program to compensate 25% of the cost of purchased domestic agricultural machinery. In particular, according to the Ministry of Economy, in the first 8 months of the program in 2024, farmers received almost UAH 877 million in compensation for the cost of agricultural machinery.

A 25% program for farmers to purchase domestic agricultural machinery:

• 3,419 agricultural enterprises renewed their machinery fleet
• 5,311 units of machinery worth over UAH 4.2 billion purchased
• Almost UAH 877 million in compensation paid
• 33 banks joined the program
• The equipment catalog includes 11,848 items from 138 manufacturers
• About 1000 new jobs created

T.S.: What key partners do you consider in the context of restoring Ukraine’s agricultural sector? What areas can they lead? (For example, I know that Japan is interested in demining) 

V.K.: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy actively cooperates with the FAO. For example. They have provided grain storage facilities (grain bins), modular granaries and generators.

They also handed over 209 generators with a capacity of 10 to 550 kVA to Ukrainian agricultural producers. Kherson region farmers received equipment for loading and unloading grain. FAO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, provides systematic support to our farmers. We are currently working on the construction of vegetable storage facilities.

The World Bank

As part of the implementation of the joint project with the World Bank “Emergency Project for Inclusive Support for the Recovery of Agriculture in Ukraine” (ARISE), we managed to attract $48.7 million to support small agricultural producers. In particular, those who cultivate agricultural land (1 hectare), keep cattle (cows) and breeding stock of goats and/or sheep.

In addition, the World Bank has allocated another $45 million to support Ukrainian agricultural producers, which is planned to be used in 2025. An additional USD 105 million is currently being considered.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

JICA has allocated a $14 million grant to Ukraine for the agricultural sector. Another USD 12 million is planned.

Thanks to the successful implementation of the Program with JICA, Ukrainian specialized agricultural institutes and state-owned enterprises were able to obtain specialized equipment and machinery necessary for agricultural activities.

Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

For the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the development of the irrigation sector and the improvement of reclamation systems in Ukraine is one of the priority areas of activity, especially given the devastating consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP and global climate change.

To this end, the Government of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and in cooperation with AICS, is preparing a draft intergovernmental agreement between the Governments of Ukraine and the Italian Republic to support the project to restore the Odesa region, namely two irrigation systems.

The EBRD provides significant support, including advisory services, for the restoration and development of the agricultural sector, including irrigation and land reclamation. In cooperation with the EBRD, the Project “Ukraine: Support to the Development of Water User Organizations” is being implemented.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

In 2024, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy became an official member of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, which aims to promote the development of agriculture and rural areas by providing financial resources (both grants and loans).

The issue of attracting IFAD’s financial assistance for the development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector in the form of loans and grants is currently being considered to formulate a project proposal.

Other support

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy is actively working to attract additional international assistance. For example, following meetings with representatives of Japanese business, including Maekawa, Zensho, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the possibility of implementing new projects aimed at developing and restoring the Ukrainian agro-industrial complex is being considered.   

T.S.: One of Ukraine’s business cards is the agricultural sector. Could you tell us what types of agricultural activities are of interest to our Western partners? And vice versa, given the experience of blocking borders with Poland, Romania and other countries, what do they not want to see on their markets and why?

V.K.: The Ukrainian agricultural sector is one of the country’s business cards and, at the same time, one of the most competitive segments of our economy in the European market. In 2024, more than half of all exports of agricultural products from Ukraine – 52% – went to the European Union. The largest importers were Spain ($2.7 billion), the Netherlands ($1.6 billion), Italy ($1.3 billion), and Germany ($1.2 billion).

What exactly are Western partners interested in? First of all, it is grain crops (especially corn), sunflower oil, soybeans, and organic products. These items form the basis of Ukrainian exports and meet the demand for food stability, sustainable development, and EU environmental standards.

At the same time, we see the other side of the coin. In the period after the full-scale invasion of Russia, when exports through the Black Sea were blocked, the logistics burden on land routes increased significantly. Previously, up to 95% of our products were shipped through Black Sea ports, and under the blockade, the cargoes went by land via Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

This put pressure on the infrastructure of neighboring countries and caused not political but rather logistical tensions. The bottlenecks – terminals, customs, and the EU’s internal infrastructure – were not ready for such a volume. Accordingly, logistics costs increased, queues appeared, and against this background, Ukrainian flexibility in the market naturally caused concern among local farmers.

It’s worth emphasizing that under EU law, there are no separate national markets – there is a common European market based on the freedom of movement of goods. That is why the topic of Ukrainian exports sometimes becomes the subject of internal political manipulation in member states, especially during election campaigns.

We, as a government, always stand for constructive approach. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy is in constant dialog with our European partners. We are looking for solutions that, on the one hand, will provide Ukrainian farmers with access to the market, and on the other hand, will take into account the interests of our neighbors. This is not about competition, but about shared responsibility for Europe’s food security.

Ukraine has already become a part of the European economic space – not only because of trade volumes, but also because of a common vision, rules of the game and mutual respect.

T.S.: How likely is it that the EU will not extend the preferential terms for agricultural exports by the end of the year? What will happen to our economy and farmers in this case? 

V.K.: We have a clear common vision that the decision on trade between Ukraine and the EU after June 5 should be balanced, mutually beneficial and contribute to stability for farmers and consumers on both sides of the border. We are talking about the future of Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU. It is important for us that it is continuous and predictable.

Our partners hear us. We are working to ensure that the new decision takes into account both the economic realities of Ukraine and the sensitivities of European markets. Hard work in working groups to develop the future trade regime is ahead. 

During the recent 10th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels, where I participated, we discussed the need to build mechanisms for controlled bilateral trade in advance. This is important for the continuity of agricultural processes and predictability for business.

We have less than a month to go before the current terms of agricultural trade between Ukraine and the EU expire. All this time, our team, together with the team of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, has been at the forefront of the negotiation process. Our goal is to find a compromise solution that will satisfy both our producers and EU farmers. Over the years of duty-free and quota-free regime, we have seen that a whole list of products does not have any negative impact on the EU internal market. We are ready for further detailed discussions on trade in goods that EU countries consider “sensitive”. 

In addition to the EU, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is working to enter new markets. The plan is to enter 31 new markets by 2025, in particular in Africa, the Middle East and China. 

What is needed to realize this goal?

1. Promote the growth of containerized exports from Odesa ports, which will allow the use of refrigerated containers and thus enable the export of certain groups of goods, such as chicken eggs, to the East Asian markets.
2. Ensure the opening of additional markets for Ukrainian agricultural products.
3. To deepen cooperation in the agricultural sector with the countries of Central and Southern Africa, which should create preconditions for increasing markets for Ukrainian agricultural products in the countries of this region.

T.S.: A long time ago, I talked to Mykhailo Nepran, Vice President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He suggested that Ukraine should revise its export strategy and start focusing on value-added products instead of raw materials (for example, pasta instead of flour). Do you agree with this opinion and why? 

V.K.: Absolutely. Ukraine’s transition from an agrarian to an agro-industrial country, deep processing, production of value-added products, and opening of new markets are the priorities of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.

We are faced with the task of moving from a raw material model of the economy to a value-added model.  Today, Ukrainian agricultural exports amount to $24.5 billion a year. While Italy’s agricultural exports, for example, amount to $69 billion, and Poland’s to $56 billion. Why is this happening? Because the average price of a ton of grain we export is $309. In Italy, it is $2,670 per ton, and in Poland, $1,560. This is because they process their products and export them with added value, while we export grain without processing it.

In 2024, Ukraine’s total exports amounted to $41.6 billion, of which $24.5 billion were exports of agri-food products. This is 59% of total exports, which helps to maintain national reserves and the hryvnia exchange rate, and thus curbs inflation in the country.

The agricultural sector has significant additional unrealized potential to increase exports of value-added products.

If we talk about what products will drive export growth, it is primarily two areas: processed foods and livestock products. In processing, we still have significant potential to increase oilseed processing. For example, we currently process 20-30% of soybeans and rapeseed, and we can move towards 100% processing, just like with sunflower seeds. We also see an increase in grain processing into flour and cereals and, accordingly, exports. Exports of dairy products are stable and can grow. Meat, poultry, and eggs will grow in livestock production, and there is a huge unrealized potential in beef. Here, as in the development of bioethanol, there is a possibility of a significant breakthrough.

Overall, the price per ton of Ukrainian agricultural exports has increased. Last year it was $315, and in April this year it increased to $452. This is mainly due to bioethanol. 

T.S.: How do you support third world countries that depend on Ukrainian grain? What assistance programs are currently in place? Could you tell us about the development of our cooperation with Africa, using South Africa as an example? 

V.K.: As part of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Grain from Ukraine initiative, since 2022, we have already shipped more than 282 thousand tons of agricultural products (wheat and flour, corn, peas, oil) to 13 countries in Africa and Asia: Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan, Palestine, Malawi, Mozambique, Djibouti, Mauritania, DRC, and Syria. According to WFP, this has provided more than 11 million hungry people in Africa and Asia. As a result of the three Grain from Ukraine summits, donor funds worth more than USD 330 million were raised.

After the 3rd International Conference on Food Security “Grain from Ukraine”, which took place in Kyiv on November 23, 2024, the geography of the initiative has already been expanded, in particular to Syria, which I personally visited in late 2024. 

The successful implementation of the Grain from Ukraine program, which is carried out by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy jointly with the MFA of Ukraine and WFP, is a clear proof that Ukraine has been, is and will remain a reliable supplier and a predictable partner for the whole world in general and for African and Asian countries in particular, despite the predicted loss of the Ukrainian harvest due to Russian military aggression.

In addition, the implementation of such a program provides support to Ukrainian agricultural producers, especially when farmers have had problems exporting their products due to the blocking of borders and sea routes. 

During the recent official visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to South Africa, he and First Vice Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko held productive talks with John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture of South Africa, and Mpho Franklyn Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

The priority is to lift restrictions on the export of Ukrainian products. We agreed with our partners to develop a specific roadmap with clear steps to sign recognition protocols between the relevant institutions of both countries as soon as possible.

We also discussed cooperation in the production of mineral fertilizers.

South Africa is a strategic partner of Ukraine. It is not only about increasing trade, but also about entering the markets of Sub-Saharan Africa, where South Africa has a strong position. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to South Africa sent a clear political signal: Ukraine is determined to strengthen its economic presence in the region. We are implementing this course in concrete agreements. 

There is already a mutual interest in products: at the first stage, we are talking about access of Ukrainian agricultural products to the South African market, in particular, poultry and processed products. Ukraine is interested in cooperation and South Africa’s experience in cattle breeding. After all, South Africa is one of the leaders in the meat sector of cattle farming. The Ukrainian market is interested in importing high-quality fruits and nuts from South Africa, in particular avocados, mangoes and macadamia, in which South Africa is a world leader.

In order to establish cooperation with the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Angola in the field of agriculture, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has developed two draft bilateral documents:

• The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of the Republic of South Africa;
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Angola.

In accordance with the provisions of the Memoranda, the parties promote cooperation in the following areas:

• bilateral trade in agricultural products;
• promotion of investments in agriculture, deep processing of agricultural products and food industry;
• cooperation in research, training, visits and exchange of researchers and specialists;
• strengthening sustainable relations between public and private organizations.

These draft documents are currently under consideration by the South African and Angolan sides, respectively.

In continuation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s order to expand the geography of exports, in particular to the Middle East and Africa, as well as to open a mineral fertilizer hub in South Africa and develop trade between the two countries.

During my visit to South Africa, we reached important agreements to deepen cooperation in this area. Today, we are taking the first steps towards its implementation. Our goal is to make this area systematic and strategically beneficial for Ukraine.

T.S.: You have recently signed an agreement to expand exports to China. Do you plan to continue scaling up to the Asian market? How well is this cooperation developed and what challenges do you see in working with this region? 

V.K.: Yes, we clearly see great potential for Ukrainian agricultural exports to Asia, and that is why we are systematically working on scaling it up.

We have recently signed an important agreement with the People’s Republic of China that opens up new opportunities for Ukraine. For the first time in more than five years, the veterinary and sanitary requirements for exporting wild-caught aquatic products and peas to China have been agreed upon. This is the result of the joint work of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the State Food and Consumer Service, and associations.

For our producers, this means access to one of the largest consumer markets in the world. For Ukraine, it means an increase in foreign exchange earnings, export diversification, and strengthening its presence in global supply chains.

China is an important partner, but we are working more broadly. Exports to Southeast Asia are growing: Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh. We have stable growth of more than 30% per year in some markets. And we are further expanding this presence because Ukrainian food is in demand.

Of course, there are challenges. Asian markets have complex and stringent regulatory requirements, particularly in the area of food safety. This means the need for careful preparation, certification, and coordination of documents. But we see the results and will continue to move forward.

Our focus is on the global integration of Ukraine as a responsible food exporter. And the Asian direction is the key to this strategy.

T.S.: For the first time in history, Ukraine participated as a full member in the plenary session of the OECD Committee on Agriculture. What does this event mean for us? 

V.K.: This is a landmark step towards our European integration and the recognition of the Ukrainian agricultural sector as a full-fledged part of the global dialogue.

We have joined the key international forum where rules are being formed, challenges are being analyzed, and solutions for sustainable agricultural policy development are being developed. For Ukraine, this is not only a recognition of the progress of reforms, but also a real tool of influence and interaction with OECD member countries.

Participation in the Committee and its working groups allows:

• To inform the international community about the challenges faced by the Ukrainian agro-industrial complex in the context of the war;
• Present our successful practices, in particular in the areas of digitalization, sustainable production, and farm support;
• Receive analytics and technical assistance to implement reforms adapted to the best international practices;
• Engage Ukrainian scientists and experts in joint research that will increase the innovation and competitiveness of our agricultural sector.

Participation in the Committee is about politics, science, and economics. It is a platform where we not only learn but also talk about our own experience. And now Ukraine’s voice is heard there on an equal footing.

At the same time, we are preparing to participate in the Governing Body of the Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems program. This is another step towards ensuring that Ukraine’s agricultural policy meets the best international standards while taking into account our unique reality.

Recently, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, I took part in a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann.

The government officials, parliamentarians and representatives of the Presidential Office discussed key documents – the Economic Review of Ukraine and the Review on Integrity and Anti-Corruption in Ukraine, prepared by the OECD.

The Economic Review of Ukraine describes the current state of the Ukrainian economy and provides concrete proposals for recovery and reconstruction. Such analytics are also important for the agricultural sector. After all, any effective changes can be made when there are up-to-date figures and data.

The OECD includes 38 developed countries. Therefore, it is important for Ukraine to be a full member. And the agricultural sector is one of the business cards that demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to be a responsible, predictable and strong partner.

Tetiana Stelmakh