Raimund Jehle, Regional Programme Leader for Europe and Central Asia at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), concluded a visit to Ukraine focused on reinforcing strategic cooperation, advocacy for the organization’s Emergency and Early Recovery plan for 2025–2026 and longer-term development beyond, reported by SEEDS.
Together with Mohammed Azouqa, FAO Ukraine Head of Office, Jehle met with senior representatives of the Government of Ukraine, donor governments, and international partners to discuss priority areas of support for the country’s agriculture sector and rural communities amid ongoing war-related challenges.
In this context, he discussed with Vitalii Koval, Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine the immediate and medium-term challenges for the sector.
“FAO will continue working closely with its partners to support Ukraine’s agriculture sector and accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems. Our goal is to help farmers maintain production, strengthen food security, and promote energy resilience. Collaboration with the Government of Ukraine – especially the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food – is critical to ensuring this support reaches those who need it most, even in times of crisis,” said Raimund Jehle.
Particular attention was given to strengthening infrastructure for post-harvest management, including support to the vegetable value chain. These efforts aim to reduce losses, increase efficiency, and enhance the overall stability of local food systems.
Raimund Jehle also confirmed the approval of a new FAO project supporting the development of bioenergy from agricultural biomass – a direction that holds significant potential to improve energy resilience and create additional income opportunities for agricultural producers.
Given the ongoing war, restoring access to land and revitalizing rural economies remain critical priorities. Mine action and land rehabilitation are essential components of FAO’s recovery approach – the Organization works to ensure that previously contaminated areas can be safely returned to productive use and support livelihoods.
Furthermore, Jehle and Minister Koval also discussed the possibility of organizing a side event at the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome in July. The event should focus on the importance of investment in agriculture key components of the country’s broader reconstruction agenda.
In a separate meeting with Svitlana Grynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the parties emphasized the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into recovery efforts. They confirmed continued cooperation in key areas such as forestry, climate policy, and ecosystem restoration, and readiness to scale up this cooperation. These joint efforts include the implementation of forestry strategies, alignment with international standards and incorporation of green solutions into Ukraine’s recovery framework.
The FAO’s Emergency and Early Recovery Plan for 2025-2026 will serve as a roadmap for the organization’s ongoing support to Ukraine. By combining immediate recovery measures with longer-term transformation under this plan, FAO aims to restore disrupted food systems and build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector that can sustain rural communities and support national economic growth.
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