According to preliminary discussions with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, USAID launches a new program of technical assistance to the agricultural sector of Ukraine, which will facilitate the realization of the country’s capacity in agriculture. Total budget of the Project - $ 20.6 million.

It was stated by the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras Kutovyi after a meeting with representatives of USAID.

"Great news, I just had a meeting with the new USAID Regional Mission Director in Ukraine Ms. Susan Kosinski Fritz. Ms. Fritz inter alia announced the launch of a new four year USAID’s The Agriculture and Rural Development Support Project that had been discussed previously by us with representatives of the Agency,"- said the Minister.

The duration of the project - 4 years: from September 2016 to July 2020.

According to the Minister, the goals and objectives of the Project meet the vision of The single and comprehensive Strategy for agriculture and rural development 2015-2020 and a comprehensive strategic Plan of the Ministry "3+5".

The new four-year technical assistance project " The Agriculture and Rural Development Support Project" aimed at supporting economic growth by increasing competitiveness of farmers and create a more favorable business environment in the agricultural sector to improve the welfare of residents of rural areas.

The project will facilitate the formation of better conditions for small and medium agricultural enterprises by strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine to implement reforms in the agricultural sector, establish transparent regulatory and legal framework in land relations and conduct reforms that will modernize land irrigation system.

The project also will improve the export competitiveness of small and medium producers of vegetables, fruits, milk and meat, assisting small and medium players in the implementation of international standards of quality and safety of products, exporting to foreign markets, and use the opportunities that are available within The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between Ukraine and the EU.

Another objective of the project is to support rural development through empowering citizens to be employed and obtain incomes, as well as assisting certain local communities in developing effective strategies for the development of local economy that stimulate their growth.