World Grain - March 2023 - 32

it virtually impossible to comply
with the production requirements,
leading to grain spoilage
and, as a result, loss of money
and, above all, essential products
for food security. "
Speaking about the prospects
of the new Russian offensive,
Dykun said if there are no positive
improvements, Ukrainian
farmers will not be able to
conduct spring sowing. This
will exacerbate the global food
crisis, jeopardizing 400 milA
combine
harvests wheat
in a Ukrainian
field with a
bomb crater.
Since October, Ukraine has struggled against constant
power outages as Russia is pondering critical
energy infrastructure. Dykun said the shutdown for
several hours could cause tremendous problems for
grain storage.
" During the harvesting, it is extremely important for
the grain storage to have electricity, as the grain storing
and drying requires maintaining the necessary temperature, "
Dykun said. " The lack of electricity makes
lion people depending on the Ukrainian agricultural
sector. But Dykun said no matter what aggressive
actions Russia takes, the Ukrainian population has
faith in victory.
" Since the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion
of Ukraine, Ukrainians have proved themselves
to be a nation of strong, brave people who are ready
to defend their home and will not allow the enemy
to seize their territories, " Dykun said. " Our belief in
victory over the invader is unquestionable, and we
have no doubt that we will regain our territories and
restore Ukraine. "
International aid is critical
The Ukrainian Agri Council recently appealed to
European Union leaders to preserve and indefinitely
extend Ukraine's preferential trade regime with the
EU. Ukrainian grain farmers have expressed gratitude
for the support they received in 2022. However, additional
measures might be needed this year to prevent a
collapse in the grain industry.
" Because of the war, the situation in the agricultural
sector is catastrophic: farms are destroyed, equipment is
destroyed, animals are killed, fields are mined, " Dykun
said. " Today we need to launch a global fund to restore
the Ukrainian agricultural sector, which will raise funds
to help specific farmers who have lost their farms. "
There are measures needed to be taken to provide
Ukrainian farmers with the minimum required volumes
of seeds and fertilizers, as well as launch a large-scale
simplified lending program, since their own resources
are extremely limited, Lytvyn agreed.
" Unfortunately, in the conditions of war, Ukraine
does not have the ability to manage this on its own and
needs further help from our partners, " she said. " It is
about the survival of the agricultural sector. "
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32
March 2023 / World Grain / World-Grain.com
Photo by Miguel Medina
http://www.erkayagida.com.tr http://www.World-Grain.com
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