The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has intensified its collaboration with Ukraine to support the country’s agricultural recovery and resilience amid the ongoing conflict. In a recent visit to Ukraine, Raimund Jehle, FAO’s Regional Programme Leader for Europe and Central Asia, highlighted the importance of this partnership, which is focused on both short-term recovery and long-term transformation of Ukraine’s agricultural systems.
Jehle, accompanied by Mohammed Azouqa, FAO Ukraine’s Head of Office, met with Ukrainian government officials, donor governments, and international partners to discuss the priority areas for supporting Ukraine’s agriculture sector. The discussions centered on addressing the immediate challenges posed by the war while preparing for future recovery efforts that can contribute to the country’s broader economic revitalization.
One of the main topics of discussion was the importance of supporting farmers and rural communities to maintain production despite the ongoing disruptions. FAO’s role is crucial in helping ensure food security and energy resilience by fostering collaboration with Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food. This cooperation aims to safeguard agricultural production, even under the current wartime conditions, and to create sustainable solutions for long-term food security.
Post-harvest management emerged as a priority area, with particular emphasis on improving infrastructure within the vegetable value chain. This is vital for reducing losses and enhancing the efficiency of local food systems. By strengthening these systems, Ukraine can improve the stability of its food supply and support its recovery efforts. FAO is also focusing on advancing bioenergy projects derived from agricultural biomass. This initiative presents an opportunity to improve Ukraine’s energy resilience, offering farmers alternative sources of income while promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Another key challenge discussed during the visit was the restoration of land access and the revitalization of rural economies. With large areas of land contaminated by mines, FAO is working on mine action and land rehabilitation programs. These efforts aim to ensure that previously unusable land can be safely returned to agricultural production, providing crucial support to rural livelihoods. Mine clearance and safe land use are central to Ukraine’s recovery, ensuring that farmers can resume cultivation and rebuild their communities.
Furthermore, the FAO’s Emergency and Early Recovery Plan for 2025–2026 aims to address both immediate recovery needs and long-term agricultural transformation. This plan outlines the steps FAO will take to assist Ukraine in rebuilding its disrupted food systems, focusing on creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector. By emphasizing recovery efforts and the rebuilding of rural economies, the FAO aims to help the country recover from the ongoing crisis and lay the foundation for future growth and stability.
The FAO’s commitment to integrating environmental sustainability into Ukraine’s recovery process was also a key theme during the discussions. Raimund Jehle met with Svitlana Grynchuk, Ukraine’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, to explore how to align recovery efforts with environmental goals. This includes restoring ecosystems, implementing climate-resilient strategies, and supporting sustainable forestry practices. These initiatives will help Ukraine balance its immediate recovery needs with long-term environmental preservation, ensuring that the agricultural sector can thrive while contributing to the country’s environmental resilience.
In addition to these efforts, both Jehle and Minister Koval discussed the possibility of organizing a side event at the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. This event will focus on the importance of investment in agriculture as a critical element of the country’s reconstruction agenda. By highlighting the role of agriculture in Ukraine’s recovery, this event will emphasize the need for continued international support and investment in rebuilding the country’s agricultural systems.
In conclusion, the FAO’s ongoing cooperation with Ukraine is designed to foster a resilient agricultural sector that can withstand the current challenges while preparing for a sustainable future. With a focus on food security, infrastructure, bioenergy, and environmental sustainability, FAO is playing a pivotal role in Ukraine’s recovery and long-term agricultural transformation.
