Ukrainian Farmers Forge Ahead in Dairy Sector on Unaffected Lands Amidst War Challenges
Source: The DairyNews
Despite the challenges of war and land occupation, Ukrainian farmers are strategically investing in the dairy sector on lands unaffected by the conflict with Russia. Andriy Dykun, President of the Association of Milk Producers of Ukraine, revealed that the decision to expand the dairy sector came as a response to the inability to export and sell thousands of dairy cows in Ukraine.
Before the conflict, Ukraine exported dairy heifers to Central Asia, but the disruption in the Black Sea has hindered such exports. Dykun explained that exporting through Romania or Bulgaria is also challenging due to lengthy waiting times for the required veterinary certificates.
In response to these obstacles, Ukrainian farmers are focusing on adding value to their dairy production. Dykun emphasized the importance of large-scale milk production in Ukraine and its potential to contribute significantly to the economy. Despite the war's impact, the dairy sector showed resilience in 2023, with a 15% increase in milk yields, returning to pre-war levels of three million tonnes.
Dykun acknowledged the challenges posed by mines, highlighting over two million hectares of mined land, including thousands of fields. He shared visuals of destroyed farms, underscoring the adversity faced by the agricultural sector, with a particular focus on a 1,150-cow dairy farm in the Kharkiv region that lost 30% of its herd under Russian occupation.
The agricultural sector, especially the dairy industry, remains a crucial component of Ukraine's economy. Dykun expressed optimism about the enormous potential of the dairy sector and the resilience of Ukrainian farmers in the face of adversity.
In response to these obstacles, Ukrainian farmers are focusing on adding value to their dairy production. Dykun emphasized the importance of large-scale milk production in Ukraine and its potential to contribute significantly to the economy. Despite the war's impact, the dairy sector showed resilience in 2023, with a 15% increase in milk yields, returning to pre-war levels of three million tonnes.
Dykun acknowledged the challenges posed by mines, highlighting over two million hectares of mined land, including thousands of fields. He shared visuals of destroyed farms, underscoring the adversity faced by the agricultural sector, with a particular focus on a 1,150-cow dairy farm in the Kharkiv region that lost 30% of its herd under Russian occupation.
The agricultural sector, especially the dairy industry, remains a crucial component of Ukraine's economy. Dykun expressed optimism about the enormous potential of the dairy sector and the resilience of Ukrainian farmers in the face of adversity.
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