Canadian Support to Agricultural Reform in Ukraine...
The FARM Program

Canada and many other countries recognize Ukraine as strategic to world peace and prosperity. Since independence in 1991, Ukraine has struggled with many challenges in meeting its potential. Agriculture is a significant contributor to the Ukrainian economy but continues to suffer from its previous command-and-control structure and the challenges brought on by reform. In recognition of the importance of the agriculture sector in Ukraine and the similarities in land and climate with western Canada, Ukraine has asked Canada to become more active in its agriculture sector.

The Facility for Agriculture Reform and Modernization (FARM) Program was designed to ensure a sustainable approach to agricultural development in the emerging market economy of Ukraine. This program will leave behind increased capacity in key institutions of the government while assisting in creating new non-government institutions to aid in the reform process. The FARM Program is strategic, positioning Canada as a leader in assisting in meaningful transition in the agricultural sector in Ukraine.

Through ongoing commitment of the twoProvincial Governments, STEP, Educational Institutions, NGO’s and Canadian industry to Ukraine, this program will be a solid investment for Canada. It is sure to position Canadian companies for greater participation in the Ukrainian economy through commercial sales and contracts as it continues down the road to development.

Quick Facts and Figures about the FARM Program   
     

In July 2008, Facility for Agriculture Reform and Modernization (FARM) Program was extended for an additional two years to March 31, 2010.
The joint Canada-Ukraine Program was launched in March, 2003 with the objective to support the reforms of Ukraine agricultural sector and facilitate trade and investment links between Canada and Ukraine.
This large-scale 5-year initiative is the biggest and the most comprehensive agricultural project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency in Ukraine.
2 Canadian Provinces -  Manitoba and Saskatchewan – are Program partners in Canada; in Ukraine the partner organizations are the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the National Agricultural University and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The FARM Program is supporting agricultural reform in Ukraine in the areas of civil society development, institutional capacity building and agricultural extension development.
In the first 15 months of the Program 4 agricultural extension services were opened in Volyn, Rivne, Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts.
As of January 2006, FARM is supporting 5 districts in Volyn, 4 districts in Rivne, 3 districts in Sumy and 3 districts in Dnipropetrovsk.
To ensure that the services and information provided by the Agricultural Extension Services meet producers’ needs Baseline Studies were conducted in each of the 4 Oblasts.
Through the FARM grant fund (Responsive Mechanism), funded 32 projects in the approximate amount of $1.27 Million CDN.
Through the FARM grant fund, Ukrainian and Canadian partners contributed 1.05 Million Canadian in in-kind commitments.
             
 

 

 National Forum 2007 - Volyn Oblast and Reception Kyiv