The Netherlands has been supporting the potato industry in Ukraine for many years — from improving growing technology, storage, institutional capacity building to realizing the export potential.
Currently, the question of drafting a strategy for the development of the potato industry is relevant, taking into account the challenges caused by the war, the loss of infrastructure and the complications of logistics. This was said by Carolien Spaans Agricultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine during the All-Ukrainian Potato Day on 30 August 2024, which took place in the Volyn region on Eco Tour farm.
According to Carolien Spaans, the experience of the Netherlands can be useful for representatives of the Ukrainian sector to determine priorities and establish cooperation with international organizations.
"The next steps in the potato industry have been debated for many years, and processing is one of the top priorities. At the event, I had the opportunity to talk with manufacturers, processors and suppliers of the industry and heard many reasonable ideas that should contribute to the development of the potato industry and the economy of Ukraine in general. Processing is an important step, but it is not limited to investments in processing enterprises. It also requires an extensive network of raw material producers, whose products must meet quality standards and provide the necessary volumes of raw materials for processing. That is, it is necessary to establish a close and effective interaction of all participants and suppliers of potato industry."
The support of the Netherlands is not limited to projects for the development of the Ukrainian potato sector, a joint project is already being implemented in the Chernihiv region with the participation of private businesses from the Netherlands and Ukraine. It was financed within the first round of UPF (Ukrainian Partnership Facility) program. The new round will be open in October this year.
Applicants for a subsidy can be Dutch companies that want to implement projects in Ukraine aimed at its reconstruction and sustainable recovery. More details about the project at the link Ukraine Agriculture and Food Security Platform Meeting.