The first area of agricultural land has been demined at the state's expense іn Ukraine

The Ukrainian mine action operator cleared the first plot under the state compensation program for demining agricultural land. According to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, this involves lands with a total area of 487 hectares in the Kyiv region, which belong to the Potato Institute of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Demining lasted from October to the end of December last year. During the clearing of the territory, specialists removed 623 kg of munitions remnants and other hazardous items.

It should be noted that the cost of demining the site was 15 million UAH, which is 55% lower than expected. As a result, clearing one hectare of land cost 30,800 UAH. 

Furthermore, applications are now being accepted from Ukrainian farmers for compensation for the cost of demining agricultural land. Farmers can now submit applications for demining land within the state compensation program through the State Agrarian Register. In the state budget of Ukraine for 2025, 1 billion UAH is allocated for the program. According to Deputy Minister of Economy Ihor Bezkaraivnyi, this year, immediately after the opening of application submissions, the first application was received from a farming enterprise in Berezneguvatyi in Mykolaiv region—a region that has suffered from active Russian shelling. The farming enterprise that applied first this time seeks to clear 15 plots with a total area of 90.8 hectares.

It should be noted that in the 4 months of last year, the Humanitarian Demining Center processed applications from 195 farmers for demining plots. Agreements have been signed with 47 applicants for the demining of more than 9,500 hectares, and there is already the first plot of nearly 500 hectares cleared within the program. 

Additionally, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development identifies the demining of Ukraine's agricultural lands as a key financial topic that it intends to support and develop in the coming years. As stated by board member of the Bank Artem Shevalov, this concerns not only financing for farmers but also for companies involved in demining. Currently, the Bank is ready to finance these initiatives as it has financial resources. Earlier, in 2024, the Ukrainian government launched an experimental financing program for demining to make this process accessible for farmers. Financing may be allocated through Ukrainian banks directly to agrarian companies and farmers, with possible additional support from the government or companies for their growth and to increase the fleet of demining vehicles and specialists.