The demographic crisis and generational renewal, limited access to land and credit, high rental prices, and competition with large companies were the main topics of the meeting between Ihor Novytskyi, Head of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council's young farmers division, and Olesia Shakal-Olshanetska, Head of the UAC's women farmers division, with Marion Picot, Secretary General of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA).

The UAC representatives presented an overview of the activities of young farmers in Ukraine — their number, structure, land use, and main production sectors, emphasizing the common challenges with European farmers and changes in the work of Ukraine's agricultural sector during the war.

"Like European farmers, we face limited access to land and finance, high rental prices, and competition from large companies, but at the same time, Ukrainian villages, which are the foundation for the development of the agricultural sector, have undergone a profound transformation. Thousands of men have been mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, so women have taken over the management of farms. They have proven themselves to be leaders of resilience, renewal, and hope," said Olesia Shakal-Olshanetska.

The meeting participants agreed that the future of the agricultural sector of the European Union, of which Ukraine will become a member in the future, lies in effective cooperation between young farmers across Europe right now.

"We strive to build bridges to strengthen our communities and our common European future. We understand that cooperation between Ukrainian and European young farmers, the exchange of experience and knowledge between representatives of the agricultural sector in our countries, and joint projects will only strengthen our leadership in the global market," said Ihor Novytskyi, Head of the young farmers' division of the Ukrainian Agri Council.

CEJA Secretary General Marion Picot confirmed that the challenges faced by young farmers are common to European countries and expressed her sincere support and understanding of the situation in the Ukrainian agricultural sector, as well as confirming CEJA's openness to future cooperation.

We thank the European Council of Young Farmers for supporting Ukrainian farmers on Ukraine's path to European integration. We will continue our cooperation.