Ukraine will be a key player in contributing to global food security

Ukraine has 30 percent of the world’s black soil resources, and this is an enormously positive starting point. Agriculture will continue to be one of the key drivers of the economy…Focusing solely on large-scale producers would be a mistake. What would happen to rural areas? If we have only large-scale farmers, we’ll have deserted rural towns, unemployment, and out-migration. Support to smallholders is an important strategy for maintaining life in rural areas.

Everything linked to the agricultural sector – processing, trade, input supply – has a huge potential. In dairy, production potential is still very high. In grains, an even greater volume can be produced than at present. In sunflower, Ukraine is already the world’s number one producer.
To remain competitive and expand sustainably, though, Ukraine needs infrastructure, research and development, adequate extension systems, seed multiplication operations, and policies that encourage agriculture. Producers will need a land market that is straightforward, and access to rural finance.

Focusing solely on large-scale producers would be a mistake. What would happen to rural areas? If we have only large-scale farmers, we’ll have deserted rural towns, unemployment, and out-migration. Support to smallholders is an important strategy for maintaining life in rural areas.

In spite of all the challenges, I am extremely optimistic about the future of Ukrainian agriculture. By 2050, we expect to see a world population of 9 billion, and Ukraine will be a key player in contributing to global food security. I have no hesitation in saying it: without Ukraine, we would be in trouble.