Ministry of Economy and Agrarian Committee of the Verkhovna Rada Define Cooperation Priorities in the Agricultural Sector

Representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture participated in a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, where they discussed the main areas of interaction for the near future.

This is reported by AgroReview

Main Policies and Reforms in the Agricultural Sector

Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev reported that the ministry is focusing on cross-cutting policies such as European integration, support for the private sector, and privatization. A significant number of agricultural enterprises require effective management for modernization, so the ministry calls on members of parliament to actively support these processes. There is a particular emphasis on the need for deregulation for legal businesses, the formation of a flexible labor market, attracting investments in the agricultural sector, and developing export potential, including insurance for agricultural products and cooperation with the Export Credit Agency.

“We have several cross-cutting policies in the ministry. Among them are European integration, support for the private sector, and privatization. There are many enterprises in the agricultural sector that need effective ownership for modernization, so we urge deputies to support this as much as possible.

Plans and Initiatives for the Development of the Agricultural Sector

Oleksiy Sobolev highlighted a number of key initiatives, including:

• Completion of legislative updates to accelerate the reform of land reclamation and the transfer of reclamation systems to water user organizations;
• Launch of state support programs for livestock farming;
• Opening access to five new markets for Ukrainian agricultural products;
• Initiation of a support program for farms in frontline areas;
• Approval of a long-term development plan for rural areas;
• Implementation of a grant program for the construction of vegetable storage facilities;
• Reform of control and deregulation in the fishing sector;
• Launch of a Coordinating Council on the Development of Bioenergy Potential in Agriculture;
• Creation of an Irrigation Development Fund;
• Initiation of the procedure for establishing a Payment Agency;
• Introduction of soil condition monitoring on lands affected by combat actions;
• Creation of a State Fund to Support Agricultural Producers.

Among the issues that particularly interested the deputies is the reform of irrigation. The resolution of this issue is planned to be carried out in cooperation with the environmental committee to ensure ecological balance. Another important direction is the creation of vegetable storage facilities, as agricultural producers feel a pressing need for refrigeration equipment to store their products. The ministry is considering the possibility of attracting foreign funding through already developed state support mechanisms.