The initiative aims to support Ukrainian agricultural producers by offering legal, accounting, and grant-related advice, essential for navigating challenges during wartime.
Event Highlights
Date & Location: The program was presented in Dnipro, where local farmers, heads of territorial communities, local council deputies, representatives of the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, government officials, and Mercy Corps members gathered to discuss agricultural needs.
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Program Overview
- The All-Ukrainian Congress of Farmers (VKF) introduced the Program of Consulting Support for Farmers, emphasizing specialized services in legal, accounting, and grant issues.
- The head of VKF, Ivan Slobodyanyk, detailed the main features of the program.
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Services Provided to Farmers
- 75% Subsidy: Farmers are eligible for a 75% compensation covering the cost of legal, accounting, and grant-related consultations.
- Free Consulting: Access to free legal, accounting, and grant advice for crucial and basic queries.
- Online Webinars: A series of webinars focused on understanding up-to-date legislative and financial changes in the agriculture sector.
- Weekly Newsletters: Regular agrarian news and insights into legislative developments, ensuring farmers remain informed.
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Key Speakers and Partnerships
- Ivan Slobodianyk, Head of VKF, addressed the persistent challenges faced by Ukrainian farmers—insufficient funding, legislative complexities, ongoing court cases—all intensified by a country-wide skilled workforce shortage.
- Anastasia Makarova, Mercy Corps Agriculture Service Provider Manager, provided details of the Ukrainian Agricultural Support Program (UASP), focusing on restoring and strengthening the livelihoods of small and medium-sized agribusinesses in Ukraine.
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University Collaboration
- Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University showcased its farmer-oriented services, including practical training, research, and assistance programs.
- A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the VKF and the university, promising collaboration on educational, scientific, and socially responsible agricultural initiatives.
Program Aims and Impact
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Boosting Farmer Resilience
- By subsidizing consulting costs and providing specialized knowledge, the program tackles farmers’ immediate concerns over management and compliance.
- Better-informed farm operators can enhance operational efficiency, thus supporting food security and bolstering rural economies.
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Fostering Innovation and Self-Sufficiency
- The various Mercy Corps initiatives under the Ukrainian Agricultural Support Program (UASP) aim to stimulate innovation in small and medium-sized agribusinesses, from encouraging the use of new technologies to improving infrastructure.
- Financial support opportunities are available to households, small farmers, and agribusinesses, particularly important for modernizing Ukraine’s agricultural sector.
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Enhancing Partnerships
- By collaborating with institutions like the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University, VKF intends to elevate agricultural education and advisory services to new standards—thereby attracting future talent into the sector.
Next Steps
- Wider Implementation: Following the Dnipro presentation, the program is expected to roll out across other regions, ensuring nationwide coverage of consulting and training opportunities.
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Results and benefits will be measured through improved farm profitability, better legal compliance, and more timely adaptation to legislative changes.
- Further Collaboration: VKF and partner organizations will continue to seek strategic alliances with government bodies, NGOs, and educational institutions to expand their reach and resources available to farmers.
Conclusion
The All-Ukrainian Congress of Farmers’ Consulting Support Program, backed by Mercy Corps and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, aims to strengthen Ukraine’s agricultural resilience during a critical time. By offering subsidized legal, accounting, and grant services, as well as forging educational and scientific collaborations, the initiative addresses the pressing needs of farmers. This robust effort not only increases individual farm sustainability but also plays a pivotal role in the broader economic and social stability of Ukraine’s agrarian communities.
