World Food Day 2024: FAO’s support to Ukrainian farmers amidst the war

This year’s theme “Right to foods for a better life and a better future” holds special significance for Ukraine, where the ongoing war continues to threaten food security and devastate the environment.  

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is playing a vital role in supporting the Ukrainian agricultural sector, providing critical assistance to farmers and rural communities affected by the war.

“FAO is committed to ensuring food security in Ukraine, supporting the brave farmers and rural families who continue to cultivate their land under incredibly challenging circumstances. On this World Food Day, we acknowledge the resilience and dedication of Ukrainian farmers. Their strength motivates us to help them rebuild and create better conditions for a sustainable future,” said Mohammed Azouqa, Acting Head of the FAO office in Ukraine.

In 2024 alone, FAO has assisted over 45,000 rural families in frontline areas with young poultry, irrigation kits, cash, and vouchers for essential agricultural inputs. Around 3,300 farmers and agricultural producers received wheat, soybean, and sunflower seeds, along with vital supplies such as fish feed, vouchers, generators, and storage support — critical resources that help sustain production amid ongoing challenges.

Oleksandr from Kharkivska oblast is one of the farmers who received assistance from FAO this year. Before the war, Oleksandr’s farm was thriving, with produce grown for export. But the war left his fields littered with mines and unexploded ordnance, and his storage and work facilities completely destroyed.

“The farm was the strongest in the area, and now everything is destroyed,” said Oleksandr, though he refuses to give up. 

Despite all the difficulties, he continues working to rebuild his farm. In spring, he sowed sunflowers and harvested crops, which will be safely stored in a modular grain storage unit provided by FAO. Preparing for winter, Oleksandr plans to sow his fields with wheat and rapeseed.

“The current yield of sunflower is almost three times less than before the war, as we have no resources to apply fertilizer,” the farmer explains. “But we are grateful FAO for having the opportunity to store the seeds safely and sell them later at a good price”.

This year’s World Food Day serves as a reminder that, even in the most difficult times, collective efforts can overcome global challenges and promote sustainable development. FAO remains a steadfast partner for Ukraine, committed to restoring food security and supporting the country's agricultural sector.