Acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyy on a working visit to Chernihiv Region has familiarised himself with the work of agricultural enterprises and met with local agricultural producers. He held a meeting on further development of the agro-sector of Chernihiv region under martial law, Komersant ukrainskyi 
reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.
Among other things, the participants of the meeting discussed ways to solve the problems of agrarians in the region.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy Nadezhda Begun, Chairman of Chernihiv Regional State Administration Vyacheslav Chaus, and representatives of local agribusinesses.
The main task of the Government and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is to create conditions for agrarians from the frontline areas, in particular Chernihiv region, to continue their work, Taras Vysotskyy said.
“It is important to settle the issue of cultivation of crops in the territories associated with military operations. After all, agrarians, in particular, in the 2-3-5 kilometre zone from the border with the Russian Federation do not have the opportunity to cultivate land or work at enterprises. It is necessary for the state to join in compensating the expenses incurred by agrarians. It is proposed to pay annual compensation from the moment when the activity became impossible due to martial law,” he said.
According to the official, legislative changes are now being developed, which will provide subsidies to agricultural producers in such regions. Also, work on updating and carrying out the programme “Affordable Loans 5-7-9” for the next years is constantly going on.
The Acting Minister noted that one of the serious problems for farmers in the frontline zone is the provision of electricity. That is why legislative amendments regarding exemption from duty and VAT on import of equipment for power engineering to Ukraine have been adopted and preferential crediting for its purchase has been introduced.
In addition, as Acting Minister added, for agricultural producers in the frontline regions there are a number of state support programmes available to entrepreneurs of Chernihivshchyna. In particular:
- agrarians in the de-occupied territories who cultivate up to 120 hectares can receive 8 thousand hryvnias of non-refundable aid per hectare. The State Agrarian Register is accepting applications.
- assistance to farmers for livestock: those who keep from 3 to 100 cows can receive 7 thousand hryvnias per head.
- compensation of the cost of domestic agricultural machinery – up to 25%. This applies to machinery purchased from April 2024.
- grants for the development of gardens and greenhouses – up to UAH 10 million or up to UAH 7 million, respectively. It is also possible to receive up to UAH 8 million for the establishment of a processing enterprise.
Taras Vysotskyy said that Ukrainian agrarians are supported by international partners. Applications for free hoses for temporary storage of grain in front-line areas have already been collected.