The Ministry of Economy has taken the lead in forming a working group to establish a soil analysis system for areas affected by military operations and to develop recommendations for farmers working on such lands. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Ihor Bezkaravainyi, during the “Territory Clearance: Soil and Infrastructure Restoration” Forum.

“Most of the plots we are currently addressing under the humanitarian demining programme are not in close proximity to the frontline. They are only sporadically contaminated with explosive ordnance, and the concentration of heavy metals or toxic substances in these soils does not significantly affect the quality of products. Soil sampling and analysis following international standards will only strengthen Ukraine’s position in global markets,” stated Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is working on adopting an internationally recognised methodology for soil sampling and analysis. Additionally, efforts are underway to enhance the capacity of domestic laboratories, facilitate their international certification, and ensure the global recognition of their results.

“I urge farmers to join the collaborative effort on soil analysis. We will distribute a straightforward protocol for sampling and analysis, and we invite the agricultural community to share data on soil quality,” said Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

Together with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Economy has engaged leading Ukrainian academics to develop a scientifically grounded probabilistic model for assessing the transfer of potential contaminants into agricultural products. This model will identify areas where, due to terrain features, soil composition, or groundwater levels, there may be greater risks to product quality.

“Based on the model of contaminant transfer to plants and the biological characteristics of common crops and varieties, we can create comprehensive agricultural recommendations for territories affected by the war. These recommendations will be invaluable for farmers,” said Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

The working group, coordinated by FAO, also includes representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.

Background: Humanitarian demining efforts are coordinated by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko. The Ministry of Economy oversees the interaction of central executive authorities in mine action, particularly in the area of humanitarian demining.