On February 1, a delegation of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine met with a delegation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The parties discussed the state, problems, most relevant areas of cooperation, and opportunities for Japan's support of Ukraine's agricultural sector.

The event was attended by Markiyan Dmytrasevych, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, and experts from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy. JICA was represented by Hideki Matsunaga, Director General of the Middle East and European Department, and Toru Kobayakawa, Senior Director of the Office of Support to Ukraine, Middle East and European Department. FAO was represented at the event by Mykhailo Malkov, Coordinator of Development Programs of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The participants of the meeting focused on further steps to support Ukrainian agricultural producers in providing them with seeds. The supply of alternative energy sources to support the Ukrainian agro-industrial complex was also discussed in detail.

"We are grateful to the Government of Japan for supporting Ukraine. In particular, it concerns the provision of equipment for the temporary storage of grain (sleeves), which helped our farmers to solve the problems of grain storage deficit. We appreciate all the assistance provided," said Markiyan Dmytrasevych, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the parties also outlined further concrete steps that will deepen cooperation between the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, JICA, and FAO in the agricultural sector. In particular, they considered the possibility of a visit of the Ukrainian delegation to Japan for exchange of experience.

"Despite the great distance between our countries, we feel the support of the Government of Japan and that we share the same values," Markiyan Dmytrasevych summarized.