Ukrainian farmers have received 50 combines, 49 tractors and various farming equipment as charity assistance under the Harvest of Victory project funded by American philanthropist Howard Buffett, and mobile granaries are also on their way to Ukraine.
According to a Wednesday statement on the website of the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry of Ukraine, on August 30, Ukrainian farmers and representatives of the ministry met with Buffett at the Khreschatyk metro station in Kyiv, which is temporarily closed for passengers.
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has already allocated $90 million for Ukrainians in the territories that had been liberated from the Russian occupation, notably, for the spring sowing campaign there.
During the meeting, Buffett said that today assistance and investment in Ukraine’s agriculture is a contribution to food safety of millions of people all over the world, adding that the problems Ukraine is facing today are the problems of not only Ukrainians, but also of the U.S., the EU and other states, according to the ministry.
The philanthropist also said that his foundation is also working on programs of assistance for small farmers for the next year. It also supports the investigation into the consequences of Russia’s aggression for agriculture, as well as the development of a damage recovery mechanism.
Buffett said that he saw in the pictures and videos how the Russian troops and the war in general affect the fields. The farmers are unable to collect harvest safely. When Russia tries to hit the world by limiting food resources, this is a crime against the whole world, he stressed.
In turn, Agrarian Policy and Food Deputy Minister of Ukraine Taras Vysotsky thanked the guest for his support to Ukraine, and especially its agricultural sector.
The parties discussed the issues of irrigation, possible introduction of the No-Till technology in Ukraine, food security, as well as further steps to prevent worsening of the situation with food security in the world and a negative impact of the war on the environment.
