Ukraine’s Agricultural Recovery Halted by Unrepaired Mines

According to an audit conducted by Ukraine’s Accounting Chamber, hostilities have impacted approximately a quarter of Ukraine’s territory, with over 13.9 million hectares affected. Of this, 9.85 million hectares of farmland in 10 regions remain inaccessible due to unexploded ordnance, as revealed by Nina Yuzhanina, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Customs Policy.

Yuzhanina pointed out that the current mine clearance efforts are insufficient to meet the scale of the challenge, warning that without significant systemic reforms to the mine action system, agricultural recovery will take decades. The audit underscores the critical need for investment in both infrastructure and specialized mine clearance operations to restore farmland viability.

The report also highlights the broader economic implications of this situation, as Ukraine’s agricultural sector is a vital component of its economy. With millions of hectares of farmland rendered unusable, the nation faces significant challenges in restoring productivity and ensuring food security. The call for systemic reform reflects a growing recognition of the need to address both the immediate and long-term impacts of the ongoing conflict on Ukraine’s agricultural base.