We want to take the time to check in on farmers in Ukraine amid the ongoing war in the country. As Russian attacks continue, the country is facing problems with grain storage capacity.
Latifundist Media has partnered with us to provide boots-on-the-ground coverage:
Russia is not only destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but also its food supply. This was confirmed by the recent missile attack on the Chinese terminal in the Port of Mykolaiv.
All this is happening while Ukrainian grain is awaiting shipment to underdeveloped countries.
Ivan Kilgan, Head of the AgroCenter Enterprise, grows grain and oilseed crops, which he previously exported.
“The entire logistics chain of product supply and sales was disrupted. If earlier we had to export our products to ports and they went to underdeveloped countries, now everything is broken, just like the delivery system. We felt that during the spring fieldwork. We are talking about spare parts, protective equipment, fertilizers, etc.”
Due to the Russian aggression and the consequent lack of grain storage capacity, the total deficit currently amounts to 10-15 million tons. Farmers are looking for solutions, one of which is stored in polymer sleeves.
USAID purchased more than 8,000 sleeves for grain storage, 29 grain-packing machines, and reloading bunkers. USAID will also support the installation of modular warehouses and hangers for grain storage with a total capacity of 77,000 tons. This initiative will allow to store roughly 1.7 million tons of grain under USAID’s broader effort to help Ukraine continue producing and exporting Ukrainian grain to consumers around the world.
The first contract on the provision of services has already been signed with a Lviv Agragrian Advisory Service. In the near future, 200 small and medium-sized agricultural producers in the Lviv region will have a place to store grain. At the same time, sleeves and equipment will be provided free of charge, but packaging and storage services will be paid for.
Ivan Pankiv is one of the farmers who applied for this program.
“Such sleeves will give us the opportunity to load 3,000 tons of grain, periodically loading it onto warehouses, and carry out grain separation. Any grain crop can be stored in such sleeves. It is corn time now. Despite the fact that it is often harvested with increased moisture content, even an indicator of 30-40 percent is fine for short-term storage in sleeves. After filling, the polymer sleeves protect the grain from moisture, pests, etc. Grain can be stored in it for up to 2 years. Therefore, we have a chance to extend the period of sale of the grown crop for 6-12 months.”
According to Ivan Pankiv, this program will significantly help farmers and ease the grain storage issue.
That report was powered by Latifundist Media, with USAID support provided through Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) Activity implemented in Ukraine by Chemonics International. For more information, visit their website or follow them on social media.
