Italy Launches €105 Million TERRA Initiative to Boost Ukrainian Farmers and Agricultural Cooperation

Meeting with Italian Officials

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Denys Bashlyk, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment, recently met with Davide La Cecilia, the Special Representative of Italy’s Foreign Minister. The discussion focused on supporting small and medium-sized agricultural producers, fostering agricultural cooperatives, and preparing Ukrainian farmers to meet European Union standards. Italy introduced the TERRA program, a €105 million initiative designed to finance Ukrainian agricultural businesses.

Objectives and Details of the TERRA Program

Out of the total, €100 million from the TERRA program will be allocated to financial tools for micro and small enterprises, alongside providing technical assistance. A central aim of this partnership is to develop Ukraine’s agricultural cooperatives, equipping the sector for eventual EU membership. Key topics included compliance with European regulations on:

• fertilizer use;
• plant protection products;
• animal welfare;
• food production standards.

Emphasis was also placed on helping farms adjust to EU norms and enhancing their competitiveness in global markets.

Italy is actively supporting irrigation and water resource management projects, especially in the Odesa region. Since 2022, Italy has invested €20 million in clearing agricultural land of mines in Ukraine. The meeting also addressed challenges in agricultural exports and explored alternative logistics solutions, highlighting the potential of the Danube corridor as a backup route for Ukrainian goods.

“Our goal is not only to teach farmers to collaborate but to create a practical model that enables them to pool resources, increase production volumes, and access new markets. If successful, this approach can be expanded across all regions of Ukraine.” – Denys Bashlyk

Italian representatives reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s agricultural sector, small farms, cooperative development, and EU accession preparation. This collaboration aims to strengthen Ukraine's agricultural industry and facilitate the adoption of European agricultural standards.

This high-level dialogue underscores the strategic importance of Ukraine’s agricultural sector amid its EU integration efforts. The TERRA program represents a vital step toward empowering small-scale farmers and promoting cooperative farming-critical elements for improving the international competitiveness of Ukrainian agricultural products.

In addition to Italy's TERRA initiative, the Ukrainian agrarian ministry has recently unveiled new support mechanisms aimed at aiding agricultural producers in frontline areas. These measures are crucial for enhancing resilience and sustainability among farmers facing unique challenges. For more insights on how these support options are tailored to assist those in critical regions, visit the latest updates on support for frontline agricultural producers.