The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has attracted over $860 million to support Ukrainian farmers through the "AGRI-Ukraine" initiative over the past two years.
The initiative has secured more than $510 million from the private sector and international donors and an additional $350 million from the U.S. government, according to the donor organization.
Since July of 2022, AGRI-Ukraine has helped more than 14,000 Ukrainian farmers – or 32 percent of the country’s registered farmers – receive seeds, fertilizers, crop protection, storage, and financing to produce their harvests. Seeds distributed through AGRI-Ukraine are expected to catalyze production of an additional 430,000 tons of corn and sunflower, worth over $90 million in revenue for Ukrainian farmers.
When Russia attempted to block the export of Ukrainian agricultural products through Black Sea ports, "AGRI-Ukraine" facilitated the development of alternative export routes, including through Danube River ports and land border crossing points.
These efforts resulted in the export of 62 million tons of agricultural products, generating over $17 billion for the Ukrainian economy.
The $510 million contributions from the private sector and international donors have exceeded the initial target set by USAID by three times.
In 2023, "AGRI-Ukraine" expanded its network of partners to include 26 Ukrainian agro-companies, the U.S. seed production company Gowan Seed, international financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the governments of the Republic of Korea and Japan.
"USAID and its partners remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s agricultural sector and exports to help alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by Russia’s war," the donor organization assured.
