On November 13 Ambassador of the Netherlands in Ukraine, Mr. Alle Dorhout, and Agricultural Counselor Carolien Spaans had a meeting with the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mr. Vitaliy Koval and his team including Deputy Minister Oksana Osmachko and Deputy Minister Denys Bashlyk.
Vitaliy Koval thanked the Netherlands for support for Ukraine, and Ukrainian farmers and for being a reliable partnership in the number one priority for Ukraine - EU integration. The Minister noted that despite the challenges of the war, Ukraine must carry out structural changes in the agricultural sector in order to ensure a transition towards a future-proof agrifood sector.
Dutch Ambassador in Ukraine Alle Dorhout and Ukrainian Minister Vitaliy Koval
Among the priorities for the development of Ukrainian agriculture and expanding areas of cooperation in the agricultural sector between the Netherlands and Ukraine Minister Koval mentioned food processing and producing products with added value, the horticulture and potato sector, irrigation and melioration of agricultural land, development of livestock sector as building block for rural development and creation of the jobs, and supporting farmers on the frontline regions.
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine Mr Alle Dorhout concluded that agriculture is an important topic, especially on Ukraine's path to the EU. The EU must be getting ready for Ukraine, just as Ukraine is preparing to join the EU.
The Dutch Ambassador also noted that there are prospects for cooperation with Ukraine in the application of Dutch innovations and technical developments, scientific base in agriculture. This goes especially in the priority sectors that the Netherlands has in Ukraine when it comes to bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, including dairy, potato, food processing, and horticulture & planting materials. In addition, the implementation of EU standards, including those of animal welfare, has the attention of the Netherlands.
Strategy for the development of agriculture and rural areas in Ukraine until 2030
The priority areas specified by the Minister during bilateral meetings are included in the recently adopted "Agriculture Development Strategy 2030 – A Roadmap to the EU".
The Government has adopted the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas in Ukraine until 2030 and approved an operational plan for its implementation in 2025-2027. The decision was made at a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 15th November.
''The goal of the Strategy is to prepare the agricultural sector for Ukraine's accession to the EU. Therefore, it is indeed a document that serves not only as our guiding light but also as a mandatory requirement for a candidate country to join the European Union. It is a roadmap for how we will develop our agriculture," Vitalii Koval said.
In particular, the document provides for the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. It also creates favorable conditions for the formation of a competitive, sustainable, and diversified agricultural sector that ensures long-term food security, enhances environmental protection, including biodiversity, mitigates climate change, and strengthens the socio-economic structure of rural areas.
State support of agriculture
The state budget of Ukraine for 2025 allocated in total of 6 billion UAH (Ukrainian Hryvna) which is approximately 135 million Euro for support of agriculture and food processing.
The main government support money is going to be spent on the development of livestock and agro-processing – around EUR 22 million; subsidy per hectare and for livestock (cows, sheep, and goats) – around EUR 107 million; restoration and construction of reclamation systems – around 4.5 million EUR; interest-free loans for farmers – around 1.8 million EUR; tax compensation for family farmers – around 113 thousand EUR; grants for the development of horticulture and greenhouse farming – around EUR 31 million; and the demining of agricultural land affected by the hostilities – around 22.6 million EUR.
The distribution of government support reflects Ukraine's commitment to modernizing its agricultural sector while addressing immediate challenges such as land restoration and farmer support. The dairy industry has become one of the top priorities for the government and will be in focus for development and support in the upcoming years.
Bilateral meeting between Minister Femke Wiersma and Minister Vitaliy Koval in Brussels
Later on 19 November Minister Koval met with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature of the Netherlands Femke Wiersma, and other European colleagues in Brussels.
Ukrainian Minister Koval and Dutch Minister Wiersma in Brussels, Nov 2024. Source: https://minagro.gov.ua/
During the conversation with the Minister of Agriculture of the Netherlands Femke Wiersma, the parties discussed the possible directions of support of the Netherlands for the agrifood sector in Ukraine, including implementation of EU standards.
"Another topic we paid attention to was strengthening cooperation between the StateGeoCadastre of Ukraine and the Netherlands. We have also invited our Dutch colleagues to cooperate in the dairy and potato sectors. We will continue this dialogue with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ukraine," Minister Koval said.
According to Minister Koval meeting with his EU colleagues in Brussels is essential.
"Direct communication with the leaders of the agricultural sector of European countries and strengthening of direct horizontal ties is more important than ever," Vitaliy Koval added.
Source: Agroberichten Buitenland