Trying to recover from the blows of war: the FAO's plan for Ukrainian farms

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has unveiled a three-year plan for Ukraine's agricultural recovery, aimed at helping the country's farmers and rural communities to rebuild after the Russian invasion.

The plan aims to help preserve the livelihoods of rural families, restore productive capacity on farms and ensure a safe and sustainable food supply throughout the country. FAO stresses that agriculture in Ukraine is a key pillar of the country's economy and national security.

The recovery plan includes not only the immediate assistance needed in war-torn areas, but also longer-term measures to enable farms to plan for the future and continue to operate at home, the organisation said.

Special attention is being paid to small farmers and the most affected rural communities. Priority groups include women, youth and forcibly displaced people who have lost their homes, land or the ability to farm.

FAO stresses that the inclusion of these people is essential to restore not only agricultural production but also rural livelihoods.

The plan includes restoring farmland, rehabilitating war-damaged rural infrastructure, including local roads, and improving farmers' access to markets. At the same time, it focuses on climate-resilient farming practices to help reduce future risks and strengthen the resilience of the sector as a whole.

FAO believes that these measures should enable food production to be stabilised, working conditions in rural areas to be made more secure and confidence in the future to be gradually restored.

The organisation stresses that Ukraine's agricultural recovery is important not only for the country itself, but also for the region and global food security. The three-year plan is seen as an investment in long-term stability, allowing farmers to stay on their land, rebuild their farms and contribute to the country's economic recovery.

FAO stresses that only by combining immediate assistance with a long-term strategy can Ukraine's rural communities not only cope with the consequences of the war, but also have a real chance to build a sustainable future for their country.