Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitalii Koval met with the World Bank delegation headed by Bob Saum, Regional Country Director for Eastern Europe. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk. The parties discussed cooperation and support for Ukrainian farmers.
Vitalii Koval thanked the World Bank representatives for the support and assistance provided to Ukrainian farmers after russia’s full-scale invasion. In his opinion, there are many opportunities and areas for cooperation with the World Bank.
According to the minister, the agricultural sector provides the backbone of the economy. In particular, it provides a large part of foreign exchange earnings in the state budget, stability, internal and external food security and social equality in Ukraine. However, due to the military aggression, farmers have suffered greatly and need increased support programmes.
“It is very important to help farmers from the frontline and temporarily occupied territories. One of the main challenges is to overcome the negative consequences of the war. First of all, it is humanitarian demining of agricultural land and its full restoration. We also need to restore agricultural infrastructure, as the enemy destroyed many granaries, agricultural machinery and equipment. Our farmers must be protected from war risks, so it is important to introduce crop insurance,” Vitalii Koval stressed.
According to the minister, one of the main areas of development of the agricultural sector is the deep processing industry. This will help build an agro-industrial country. Other areas of focus include the development of livestock farming, implementation of high EU standards and norms in the agricultural sector and access to global technologies for farmers.
In particular, as Vitalii Koval noted, the livestock industry is about creating new jobs, developing territories and ensuring social stability. 1,000 hectares of crop production provides only 9 jobs. And 1,000 hectares for livestock – 49. In addition, he said, the agricultural sector could ensure the energy independence of countries.
Vitalii Koval also stressed that the agricultural sector was one of the components of the adaptation of internally displaced persons and veterans.
“The agricultural sector lacks professional specialists – zootechnicians, livestock breeders, veterinarians. Training and retraining of internally displaced persons and veterans will help create new opportunities for agricultural business development. It is important that people return to the economy through work. To do this, we need to expand training programmes and preserve the potential of Ukraine’s workforce,” said Vitalii Koval.
In turn, Bob Saum assured of the World Bank’s continued support for Ukrainian farmers. He also noted that the areas of agricultural development outlined by Vitalii Koval coincided with the priorities of the World Bank’s cooperation with Ukraine.
Vitalii Koval and Bob Saum agreed to continue close cooperation and coordinate joint efforts to support and restore the agricultural sector. (Government portal)