Ukraine has sown 75% of land planted last year. Prime Minister Shmyhal lists challenges ahead of the harvest

WEDNESDAY, 8 JUNE 2022, 10:57 - OLEKSII PAVLYSH

Ukraine, despite unprecedented challenges, has successfully carried out its planting programme: 75% of the land area planted last year has been sown.

This information was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

"The banks have issued 38.5 billion hryvnias under the "5-7-9" programme of preferential loans to support agricultural producers. 24 billion hryvnias of these funds were issued under the state portfolio guarantee programme," the prime minister wrote.

According to him, they are now beginning to prepare for the harvesting of crops.

Shmyhal listed the main challenges currently facing farmers:

-   The need to export the harvest. According to Shmyhal, the Ministry of Infrastructure is working on measures to increase throughput capacity at Ukraine's western border. He reminded readers that 23.5 million tonnes of grain and oilseeds remain in Ukraine due to Russia's blocking of Ukrainian ports.

-   Storing the new harvest. The Ministry of Agrarian Policy is considering the possibility of setting up mobile storage facilities, drawing on international experience. This will allow Ukraine to increase its storage capacity by another 10-15 million tonnes, the prime minister added.

-   Provision of fuel for farmers.

"During the meeting, I gave instructions to relevant ministries and the Military-Civil Administration to supply the amount of diesel fuel necessary for the harvest season.

The government has taken all measures to ensure we could successfully carry out the most difficult sowing programme in history. Now we have to carry out the reaping and harvesting equally successfully, " Shmyhal concluded.

Ekonomichna Pravda (Economic Truth)