Farmers are raising the alarm over the innovations envisaged by the second stage of land reform. In wartime, small and medium-sized agribusinesses focus on survival and helping the Armed Forces. That is why the land issue is not currently on the agenda. European experience shows that land cannot be sold on a large scale.

Denys Marchuk, the UAC Deputy Chairman stated that issue on the air of TSN.

"Ukraine is in the process of European integration. And there is not a single country in the EU that would sell such large land plots to a single entity. We are not against legal entities as market participants, but we need limits - no more than 100 hectares, both for individuals and legal entities. Given the fertility of the soil, Ukrainian land is undervalued, with the cost of a hectare starting at UAH 38,000. In the EU, land is much more expensive. But in the context of impoverished producers, when they do not receive decent prices for agricultural products, it is difficult for them to find funds to buy land, which is a means of production for them," said Denys Marchuk.

In a war, large agribusinesses will have a significant advantage in the land market.

"Both farmers and citizens have become poorer because of the war. That is why we have appealed today to the President and the Verkhovna Rada to postpone the increase in land sales limits until the end of the war and two years after. We are not against the land reform, it is necessary, people should have the right to buy and sell land, but not in such volumes - up to 10,000 hectares. Today, there is a provision that allows for the purchase of 100 hectares to a single entity, and this is enough in this difficult time for Ukraine. The second stage of the reform leads to separation, creating preferences for large businesses, which today have better access to financial resources. That's why we registered an electronic petition to the President not to increase the land sale limits - this is now the main request from small and medium-sized agricultural businesses to the government," added the UAC Deputy Chairman.

The war is already a sufficient reason to suspend the sale of large areas of land.

"There is a war in Ukraine, large areas are occupied, some farmers are at the war, and for two years they have been selling products at low prices. In order not to divide people, we need to suspend the increase in land sale limits. If small and medium-sized agribusinesses do not work, who will support the Armed Forces? Where should farmers spend their money today: on buying land or on the country's defense capability? The sale of large land plots should definitely be postponed until the end of the war," emphasized Denys Marchuk.