Ukraine’s agriculture: FAO sets out a three-year emergency & early recovery plan | FAO News

“The war has significantly complicated the lives of Ukrainian farmers – from access to land & machinery to the ability to market their produce. At the same time, the agricultural sector remains vital to food security, employment & economic stability in the country. This is why, together with our partners, we are investing in the resilience of rural families & the future of Ukraine’s food systems,” said Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment & Agriculture of Ukraine.

The pressures, caused by the war, are particularly acute in frontline regions, where agricultural infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, access to land is constrained by explosive remnants of war, & producers face labour shortages & rising production costs. Together, these factors have disrupted production cycles, limited market access & weakened the agricultural sector’s capacity to operate beyond basic survival.

FAO’s Emergency & Early Recovery Response Plan for 2026–2028 responds to these challenges through an integrated, multi-year approach that links immediate agricultural assistance with early recovery & resilience-building interventions. The Plan prioritizes safeguarding food production for vulnerable rural families & small-scale farmers, while contributing to the restoration of productive assets, supporting targeted rehabilitation of agricultural land, & strengthening pathways toward market-oriented & climate-resilient production.

“Ukraine’s rural communities cannot afford a pause between emergency response & recovery,” said Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of FAO in Ukraine. “This Plan is designed to bridge that gap – protecting livelihoods now, restoring safe access to land & supporting farmers & rural families to rebuild production. Continued, predictable support is critical to prevent deeper losses & to sustain recovery efforts over time.”

The Plan is structured around three mutually reinforcing pillars: evidence & coordination, emergency agriculture, & early recovery. Together, these pillars aim to ensure that assistance is targeted, data-driven & aligned with national priorities, while supporting the gradual transition from humanitarian assistance toward recovery & longer-term resilience.

Special emphasis is placed on frontline regions, women & youth, internally displaced persons & returnees, as well as on the rehabilitation of agricultural land affected by explosive hazards – a prerequisite for restoring production, strengthening food security & enabling safe economic activity in rural areas. By linking emergency action with early recovery & investment-oriented interventions, FAO seeks to preserve Ukraine’s agricultural potential & support the agrifood sector as a cornerstone of national resilience & future reconstruction.

Today, FAO’s active portfolio in Ukraine amounts to USD 25.9 million, of which USD 24 million is dedicated to emergency & early recovery activities. Additional resources are required to expand coverage, prevent further erosion of productive capacity & ensure that agriculture remains a foundation for recovery & long-term development.

FAO in Ukraine

Since the escalation of the war in 2022, FAO has supported more than 300 000 rural families & nearly 17 000 small-scale agrifood enterprises. Assistance has included seeds, animal feed, poultry kits, grain storage solutions, generators, irrigation systems, cash & vouchers, & matching grants – helping communities maintain food production & livelihoods despite ongoing hostilities. 

Additionally, through satellite analysis of 2.37 million hectares, FAO identified over one million craters, illustrating the scale of contamination & damage. Based on a multi-criteria prioritization process – including agricultural use, accessibility & feasibility of clearance – 32 000 hectares were identified for mine action interventions. To date, farmers & rural families cultivating over 22 000 hectares have received targeted support to resume agricultural activities & begin rebuilding their livelihoods. 

The Emergency & Early Recovery Response Plan for Ukraine 2026–2028 provides a clear framework to scale up action in line with needs that remain acute under continued war.