The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Germany through the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Regional Identity, has launched a new initiative to support rural communities in Dnipropetrovska oblast, one of Ukraine’s regions most affected by the ongoing war. Rural households in this area face persistent disruptions to their livelihoods, limited access to essential resources, and reduced production capacity, making targeted agricultural support crucial for survival and recovery.
Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine, emphasized that Dnipropetrovska oblast continues to be both a frontline region and a place of refuge. For many families, small-scale farming, livestock keeping, and horticulture remain the primary means of sustenance. The project, supported by Germany, aims to restore productive capacity, reduce reliance on humanitarian aid, and help households sustain themselves despite ongoing insecurity and repeated displacement.
The intervention will provide tailored assistance to the most vulnerable populations, including internally displaced people, older adults, families with children, and returnees. Support will focus on both crop and livestock production through a flexible combination of vouchers and cash assistance, enabling households to access agricultural inputs, rehabilitate livestock shelters, and cover essential feed and veterinary services. This approach allows beneficiaries to prioritize urgent needs, strengthen existing production, or launch new livelihood activities.
This initiative is part of FAO’s broader Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan (EERRP) for Ukraine 2026–2028, which aims to maintain and restore food production, protect rural livelihoods, and strengthen the resilience of agrifood systems amid the war. It aligns fully with the Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan 2026, ensuring coordinated efforts to support affected communities.
FAO also highlighted the role of technology and innovation in promoting resilience and sustainable recovery during a high-level dialogue at the German–Ukrainian Agricultural Policy Dialogue in Berlin, held alongside the 2026 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture. Drawing from experiences in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the discussion focused on how practical solutions, such as remote sensing for rehabilitating mine-contaminated land, Integrated Food–Energy Systems, WaPOR water productivity monitoring, and safeguarding plant genetic resources, complement direct farmer support and contribute to more resilient agrifood systems.
Muminova stressed that in Ukraine, advanced technologies have become essential rather than optional, playing a critical role in keeping agriculture functional during the conflict. The initiative underscores the importance of combining immediate agricultural support with innovation-driven approaches to strengthen resilience and enable recovery in crisis-affected communities.
