In the 4th year of full-scale war, Ukraine's agricultural sector remains a strategic sector of the economy. Denys Marchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC), spoke about the key losses and the need for new mechanisms to support farmers in his speech on the Kyiv School of Public Administration.

"The agricultural sector makes more than 50% of the country's foreign exchange earnings. The enemy understands this and systematically destroys our elevators, farms, and fields. We are losing up to 25 million tons of grain annually due to the occupation and attacks, which are already affecting the 4th sowing season. The direct losses of the agricultural sector reach USD11.2 billion, and this figure is growing every month. It will take 7-8 years of intensive investment support and assistance from partners to restore the agricultural sector to the level of 2021," said Denys Marchuk.

In response to these challenges, the UAC initiates the introduction of new mechanisms to support farmers.

"As the Ukrainian Agri Council, we are considering several options for government proposals to protect the agricultural sector. One of them is the introduction of state insurance for agricultural business. Nowadays, there is preferential insurance, but it covers only export-oriented businesses. We propose to extend this program to domestic producers as well. In addition, we advocate the creation of a state fund to support agribusiness in the liberated territories and propose to extend insurance guarantees to business. This will allow people to invest and work, knowing that in case of problems, the state will support them," said the Deputy Chairman of the UAC.

Summarizing, Denys Marchuk emphasized: "Farmers need real protection tools. Given the acute shortage of personnel and the constant challenges of war, it is extremely important to find effective mechanisms of financial support for those who continue to work, support the regional economy and the army. Regarding the latter, members of the UAC have donated 2,500 pieces of equipment to the Armed Forces during the war."