In his commentary on this decision, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman tasked the Cabinet of Ministers to develop a mechanism for providing direct state assistance, which would take into account farmers' production efficiency.
"It is important that the 2017 budget provides for a significant support for farmers who create the Ukrainian national product. Our priority is small and medium-sized farmers," the prime minister said.
Earlier, Agrarian Minister Taras Kutovyi stated that the Agrarian Ministry was analyzing the possibility of allocating funds from the budget to support agricultural sector, including small and medium-sized farms, at the level of 1% of gross agricultural production volumes. According to the minister, last year the agricultural products turnover totaled UAH 550 billion, which means that about UAH 5.5 billion in state funds could be allocated.
The Agrarian Ministry also expects to get additional UAH 450 million in state support for the agricultural sector in the current year.
Only small farmers (cultivating up to 500 ha) can be eligible for direct targeted assistance from the state, according to Kutovyi.
