Plea to support rural households in Ukraine

There is urgency to support Ukrainian farmers in planting vegetables and potatoes during the spring season, and farmers should be allowed and supported to go to their fields and save the winter wheat harvest, says the FAO.

The FAO has launched a plan, in line with the revised Inter-Agency Flash Appeal, which the organization says has more than doubled its initial request of $50 million to support 376,660 small and medium-sized farming households or almost one million people through December 2022.

“As food access, production and overall food availability deteriorate in many parts of Ukraine as a result of the war, efforts to bolster agricultural production and the functioning of food supply chains will be critical to averting a food crisis in 2022 and into 2023,” says Rein Paulsen, FAO director of emergencies and resilience.

“FAO’s immediate concern is to support the ongoing spring planting season and to prevent the disruption of the upcoming winter crop harvesting, which typically occurs in June-July, and could severely threaten food security in the country. Agriculture depends on seasons. There is no time to waste to get ready for the upcoming fall season,” says Paulsen.

Agriculture is central to Ukraine’s economy, playing a key role in protecting food security and livelihoods across the country, as well as the region.

The vast destruction of crops and infrastructure due to the war jeopardises food production and food security.

FAO estimates that one-third of the crops and agricultural land may not be harvested or cultivated in 2022.

The forced displacement of civilian populations fleeing the war and the conscription of men into territorial defence forces is resulting in labour shortages and an increased burden on women.

The situation is exacerbated by a decrease in the access and availability of crucial agricultural inputs.

Preliminary data collected by FAO, through ongoing assessments, demonstrates that farmers at all levels need cash to procure inputs and services for food production and to maintain their farming operations.