Delegation Dutch Ministry of Agriculture visited Agrico Ukraine
Delegation Dutch Ministry of Agriculture visited Agrico Ukraine
A delegation from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) visited Ukraine in the end of September. The representatives also visited Agrico Ukraine, where they were given an explanation about the project ‘Rebuilding Potato Ukraine’, an initiative of Agrico and the APH Group.
The main purpose of the LVVN-visit to Ukraine was to get a better understanding of the impact of the war on the agrifood sector and to meet up with local and international partners, according to this article of the LVVN ministry.
De-mining
Many topics were discussed during their visit in Ukraine, such as the contribution of the Netherlands to the de-mining of the country, including the de-mining of agricultural land. Priorities in view of food security and economic development, and the humanitarian food program 'Grain from Ukraine' were also on the agenda of the LVVN-representatives.
The delegation, headed by the Director for International Agribusiness and Food Security Mr Ralf van de Beek, started the 3-day working visit with a meeting with First Deputy Minister for Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Mr. Taras Vysotskyi.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has severely impacted the potato market. The production costs grew, quality seed potatoes have become scarce and expensive, output has dropped, market demand has declined and sales prices have dropped. On top of this, climate change has put Ukraine's potato productivity under even more pressure. The summer of 2024 was extremely hot and dry in Ukraine.
Agrico Ukraine
The Netherlands has been a partner of the potato sector in Ukraine for many years and finances a potato project within the framework of the Ukrainian Partnership Facility (UPF), aimed at providing food security in Ukraine and sustainable economic growth. The project ‘Rebuilding Potato Ukraine’ is an initiative of Agrico NL, Agrico Ukraine and the APH Group. Agrico Ukraine is the market leader in seed potatoes in Ukraine and has been a representative of Agrico NL for almost 20 years.
One of the purposes of the potato project is to increase the availability of high-quality, affordable, locally produced seed potatoes for Ukrainian farmers. In addition, it aims to increase the productivity, sustainability and profitability of Ukrainian farmers. The partners in the project also want to present Dutch know-how and equipment as a solution to challenges that are a result of climate change in Ukraine.
Agrico Ukraine focuses on potato production and education for Ukrainian farmers. Investments are made in drip infrastructure, a cold store and equipment. Approximately 3,000 farmers will be trained both physically at the demonstration centre and remotely. The climate-smart potato demonstration centre will enable Ukrainian small and medium-sized farmers to grow table potatoes for the local Ukrainian market. It is expected that approximately 53 million kgs of potatoes will be produced a year. With this, Agrico Ukraine can contribute to food security and sustainable economic growth in the Eastern European country.
