USAID Secures $510 Million for Ukrainian Farmers Amid Ongoing Conflict

Two years ago, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Agricultural Resilience Initiative-Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine) to support Ukraine’s agricultural sector amid the challenges posed by Russia’s invasion. The initiative aimed to attract investments from both the public and private sectors to bolster Ukraine’s agricultural production and exports, while also addressing global food insecurity.

Today, USAID proudly announces that AGRI-Ukraine has successfully mobilized over $510 million in investments from donors and private sector partners. This substantial funding includes a significant contribution of $350 million from the U.S. government, which has played a crucial role in sustaining the Ukrainian agricultural sector despite the ongoing conflict.

Since its inception in July 2022, AGRI-Ukraine has made a remarkable impact. The initiative has assisted more than 14,000 Ukrainian farmers—equivalent to 32 percent of the country’s registered farmers—by providing essential resources such as seeds, fertilizers, crop protection, storage solutions, and financing. These resources have been instrumental in enabling farmers to continue their vital work and produce their harvests despite the challenging circumstances.

The seeds distributed through AGRI-Ukraine are anticipated to generate an additional 430,000 tons of corn and sunflower. This increase in production is expected to be worth over $90 million in revenue for Ukrainian farmers, further underlining the initiative's significant contribution to the country’s agricultural output.

One of the key challenges AGRI-Ukraine has addressed is the blockade of Ukraine’s agricultural exports from Black Sea ports by Russia. To counter this, the initiative has focused on developing and investing in alternative export routes, including the Danube River ports and Ukraine’s land border crossings. These efforts have led to the export of 62 million metric tons of agricultural products from Ukraine, contributing over $17 billion to the country’s economy.

AGRI-Ukraine’s success in mobilizing $510 million in investments has surpassed the initiative’s initial funding goal by threefold. Over the past year, the initiative has expanded its network of partners to include 26 additional Ukrainian agricultural companies, the U.S.-based Gowan Seed company, and international financial institutions such as the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. Additionally, the Republic of Korea and Japan’s International Cooperation Agency have joined the effort, further strengthening the initiative’s impact.

Looking ahead, USAID remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s agricultural sector and exports. The agency continues to focus on mobilizing new partnerships from the private sector and international partners to sustain and expand the initiative’s efforts. By doing so, USAID and its partners aim to help alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.