The Russian-Ukraine war is taking a toll on small farmers, but some have been able to stay profitable with the help of U.S. aid.
Latifundist Media has partnered with us to provide boots-on-the-ground coverage:
“We are based in Rivne region. Our farm is rather young. We rent 76 hectares of farmland. We grow grains, oilseeds, and soybeans. With the start of the war, small farms are now under threat. The prices for the products we grow are falling, while the prices for fertilizers and fuel are rising. It’s hard for us to keep going, but we are united and continue to stay strong and support our economy.
This year’s sowing campaign cost 20-30 percent more than the previous one. In light of low grain prices, which are exacerbated by export problems, many companies are in fact facing bankruptcy. This is especially true for small companies that have no financial cushion. Most of all, farmers are forced to save on fertilizers, which have soared the most among the commodity prices. Some have managed to overcome this problem with the help of USAID Agro.
“We heard that USAID was offering one ton of ammonium sulfate. We registered for the program and received the fertilizers. It was a timely and substantial support for our farm. Today, the weather favors the application of these fertilizers and we are moving on to more fieldwork.”
Besides fertilizers, the farmers received sunflower and corn seeds. The money issue is extremely challenging today. So we are very grateful for the provided sunflower seeds. We will plant and do our best to produce a good harvest.
Despite all the odds, more than 25 million acres have already been planted in Ukraine. A total of over 32 million acres are expected to be planted this year. This covers the domestic market demand and leaves more than enough for exports and, consequently, contributes to the economy.
Mine hazards pose another threat to both farmers and the entire country. Mine clearance was defined as one of the key recovery priorities for this year.
In many cases, tractors follow the EOD technicians almost immediately, so that they can plant this season.
That report was powered by Latifundist Media, with USAID support provided through Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) Activity implemented in Ukraine by Chemonics International. For more information, visit their website or follow them on social media.
