In a speech at the Second International Grain from Ukraine Summit, Administrator Samantha Power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), emphasized the agency’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s agricultural sector in the face of Russia’s unprovoked war.
Administrator Power recounted her visit to the Port of Odesa, where farmers shared stories of challenges, including landmines and the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, further exacerbated by Russia’s Black Sea blockade.
Since July 2022, USAID has launched AGRI-Ukraine, a program dedicated to enhancing Ukraine’s agricultural production and assisting farmers impacted by the conflict. To date, USAID has invested $350 million, mobilized an additional $250 million from partners, and is actively seeking an additional $250 million from private sector, foundation, and donor support.
Administrator Power highlighted the notable outcomes of USAID’s efforts, including the establishment of alternative transport routes via road, rail, and river port, the provision of grain elevators and loading equipment to expedite grain transport, and the increase in port capacity along the Danube River. Plans for the next three years include upgrading border control points to enhance grain export capacity by an estimated 2.5 million tons annually.
USAID has contributed to the creation of 1.5 million metric tons of grain storage, preventing the spoilage of grains awaiting shipment. Collaborations with private sector partners such as Bayer and Corteva have facilitated financing, seeds, and fertilizer for over 30% of Ukraine’s farmers, ensuring their ability to sustain operations and plant future harvests.
Administrator Power emphasized that these investments not only empower Ukraine’s farmers to withstand Russian aggression but also contribute to the nation’s long-term future as a vital source of food for the world. Affirming the United States’ enduring support for Ukraine, Administrator Power reassured that the U.S. will stand with Ukraine in its fight for freedom.
