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Session of the Academy of Agriculture of France with the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine
7.4. 2022
Paris, March 16, 2022
Address1 by Mrs Anush Balian Vice-President of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine.
Good afternoon, dear colleagues. We are very grateful for the opportunity you have given us to attend and speak at this event.
Let me first say a few words about this terrible war in my country. The global media is full of horrible news about Ukraine. On 24 February, around 5 a.m., the Russian Federation launched a large-scale war against Ukraine!
A brutal and bloody war continues, with casualties. Many Ukrainians have lost their homes, their loved ones, most of whom are children. Many children find themselves without parent. Our armed forces successfully repel enemy attacks, the entire nation is mobilized and hundreds of thousands of volunteers from other countries come to us. They help us with weapons and food.
But we have another front not less important, it is called “Seeding in 2022”.
It is clear that this year will be the most difficult in the history of independent Ukraine; it can only be compared to the seeding campaigns of the Second World War. But we are the breadbasket of the world, and not without reason in the aggressor’s strategic plans, for one of his most important intentions was; the capture and expropriation of our silos and the takeover of Ukrainian grain exports.
We start planting in March, first in the south. I hope that even during the war our farmers have stocked up on seeds, fertilizers, plant protection products and fuel.
Under the current conditions, it is extremely difficult, but the full life of the country must continue, even in spite of military aggression.
To impede the planting and mining of much of our land is a cruel factor that our farmers have faced in many areas.
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy suggests that farmers apply online to indicate their own seeding readiness, to declare their daily needs. We have to weed at least 15 million hectares, whereas our capacity is only about 3 million hectares.
There is good information that even today Ukraine has enough products. We have a 5-year supply of sunflower oil and a 1.5-year supply of sugar. Of the 8 million tonnes of wheat needed per year, we now have 6 million, corn for 2 years.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine could increase world food prices by 15% to 20%. This will increase the number of people suffering from malnutrition.
We are the fifth largest exporter of wheat in the world, but today the question is, will we be able to weed, will we be able to harvest and preserve our crops?
Otherwise, the food crisis in Europe will also worsen, with EU and African countries experiencing severe food shortages.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that stimulus funds have been initiated in Ukraine as part of Russia’s armed aggression.
The government is calling on international partners, investors, NGOs, businesses and citizens to provide financial support to Ukraine, which will help restore stability to the Ukrainian economy and help Ukrainians in the war against Russia. The product will be used according to the fund’s specialization. This includes supporting the Ukrainian army and providing humanitarian assistance to the victims, rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure and transforming the economy, to restore small and medium-sized enterprises and serve Ukraine’s international financial obligations.
Thank you for your attention! Victory for us.
Перемога за нами.
1Abstract translated into English