The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Government of Norway, has launched a new initiative to support rural communities in frontline areas of Ukraine. The project will focus on Chernihivska, Dnipropetrovska, and Mykolaivska oblasts, regions where rural households and small-scale farmers continue to face challenges from the ongoing war, including damaged infrastructure, disrupted agricultural production, limited access to productive resources, and, in some areas, contamination of farmland.
Norway has emphasized its commitment to helping Ukrainian farmers sustain food production, protect livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s recovery. Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of International Development, highlighted the importance of supporting both national and global food security amid the disruptions caused by the conflict.
The programme prioritizes the most vulnerable rural families, including internally displaced persons and returnees whose livelihoods have been severely impacted. Assistance will focus on maintaining household food production while enabling farmers to resume income-generating activities in crop and livestock production. Emergency and early recovery support will include access to agricultural inputs, cash-based aid, and technical guidance tailored to local conditions. A dedicated mine action component in Mykolaivska oblast will help restore safe access to agricultural land, allowing farmers to resume production safely.
FAO’s Head of Office in Ukraine, Shakhnoza Muminova, noted that the war has fundamentally altered farming practices, with many families facing new barriers to production. By combining agricultural support with land rehabilitation, the programme addresses these practical challenges and strengthens rural livelihoods.
More than 4,000 rural families will benefit directly from the initiative through the provision of high-quality vegetable and potato seeds for immediate food production. Assistance will also support displaced families and livestock-keeping households in restoring their agricultural activities. Small-scale farmers registered in the State Agrarian Registry will receive targeted support, including greenhouses, irrigation and water storage systems, vouchers, and technical guidance to enhance production capacity.
This project is part of FAO’s broader Emergency and Early Recovery Response Plan for 2026–2028, which aims to maintain food production and protect rural livelihoods despite the ongoing conflict. Norway has been a key partner in these efforts, contributing approximately USD 14.8 million since the start of the full-scale invasion to support agricultural recovery and land rehabilitation initiatives.
