REUTERS
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman says the country's agrarian sector forms 12% of GDP, while its potential is much greater, including through farming development.
"The agrarian sector forms 12% of the country's GDP. This is a very good indicator. However, I am convinced that we are capable of more. We should develop small- and medium-sized businesses in villages - that is, Ukrainian farming. These are not plain words. We are about to include at least UAH 1 billion [US$38.7 million] in the draft budget for 2018 to support Ukrainian farmers," the prime minister wrote on Facebook.
According to Groysman, high motivation and right technology will allow the Ukrainian agriculture sector to reach higher quality level.
"High motivation and proper management technologies regarding the Ukrainian land will ensure record harvests and allow us to produce products of unprecedented quality and with high added value that will be in demand around the world," the head of government stressed.
Read alsoUkraine's Cabinet to allocate $38.6 mln in farmers' support in 2018As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian farmers threshed 30.9 million tonnes of grain from 8.2 million hectares (85% of the target) as of August 4.
The Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry forecasts grain yield at 60.2-63 million tonnes in the 2017-2018 marketing year (MY, July 2017 – June 2018), depending on weather conditions.
Read alsoUkraine exports 2.7 mln tonnes of grain since July 1Ukraine harvested 65.95 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops in 2016, which was 9.7% up from 2015, and a record high over the country's independence.
Ukraine boosted agricultural exports' revenue to $8.77 billion in the first half of the year, accounting for 42.5% of the total Ukrainian exports.