Partnership for the development of the agri-food sector in Odesa region

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on August 22, an important working meeting was held between Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, Luigi Cavestro, Head of the Pro.UKR program of the Mediterranean intergovernmental organization CIHEAMBari, and Sergiy Kononenko, Director of the Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region.

The main topic of the meeting was the discussion of the Pro.UKR program aimed at restoring and strengthening the economic potential of the agro-food sector of Ukraine.

The Pro.UKR program envisages a large-scale set of measures:

  • creation and development of cooperatives
  • technical and educational support for participants;
  • assistance in setting up processing of agri-food products;
  • reconstruction of production buildings and equipment;
  • restoration of local irrigation systems;
  • support for water user associations;
  • strengthening the capacity to produce, sell and export agricultural products to the EU.

Special attention is paid to

  • the nuances of program implementation in the region,
  • prospects for its development,
  • the opportunities it opens up for local farmers and cooperatives.

It is important that the Odesa Regional State Administration, the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, as the main stakeholders, are actively involved in the implementation of the program. The Agency acts as a key regional facilitator, ensuring communication between government agencies, international partners and local communities. This allows us to implement projects as efficiently as possible and take into account the specifics of our region’s development.

For the Odesa region, this means new opportunities for farmers, agro-cooperatives, and local communities, as well as a strategic step towards integration into the European market.

The Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region once again confirms its role in coordinating and developing strategic initiatives in the field of economy and agriculture. It is through this involvement that the region gets a chance for systemic recovery and development of the agri-food sector, which is critical for both local communities and the whole of Ukraine. At the same time, these efforts are an integral part of Ukraine’s European integration course, as they help to adapt Ukrainian standards to European ones, open access to EU markets, and deepen cooperation with European partners.