Cabinet Approves Procedure for Identifying Risky Agricultural Zones for Targeted Support
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a new procedure for identifying agricultural lands located in risky agricultural zones. This decision is particularly significant for the country’s agricultural sector, as it opens up opportunities for targeted state support for farmers operating under challenging conditions.
This is reported by AgroReview
The introduction of this new mechanism will strengthen the financial stability of farms that suffer losses due to natural disasters or the consequences of military actions. With clear criteria, support will be directed specifically to those regions where agricultural production incurs additional costs due to external circumstances that farmers cannot influence independently.
Key Criteria for Selecting Risky Areas
According to the approved procedure, the identification of problematic zones is based on two main indicators. The first is the climatic factor: critically low levels of productive moisture in the soil. This indicator must be confirmed by official laboratory studies, which allows for the separation of random yield fluctuations from systemic drought issues in specific regions.
The second key criterion is the consequences of military aggression. Areas located near the border with the aggressor country or the line of contact, as well as lands contaminated with explosive objects, where fieldwork is dangerous or requires prior costly demining, automatically fall into the category of risky agricultural zones.
Application Submission Procedure and Decision-Making Deadlines
To receive state support, agricultural producers must register their farm in the State Agricultural Register and submit an application through its electronic cabinet to include their land in the list of risky agricultural zones. The deadline for submitting documents is July 1 of each year.
The formation of initial lists is carried out by regional military administrations. Verification of the submitted data and laboratory conclusions will take place on-site. The final list, which will determine the provision of state subsidies for the relevant season, must be approved by the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture by August 31.
Impact on the Agricultural Sector and Expected Outcomes
Experts predict that a systematic approach to identifying risk zones will contribute to attracting additional investments in the restoration of agricultural lands. Recognizing a plot as risky at the state level will simplify farmers’ access to specialized banking and insurance products, protecting farms from bankruptcy, especially in the south and border regions.
Moreover, the transparency of the process will allow agricultural producers to plan crop rotations more effectively and implement irrigation where it is truly necessary. By taking on part of the risks, the state will encourage continued production even under the challenging conditions of 2026.
“Implementing such an approach will help distribute budget funds more equitably. Instead of general subsidies, the state will focus on those areas where conducting agribusiness requires additional expenses due to external factors that the producer cannot influence independently.”