Italy allocates 9 million euros to support the agri-food sector of Ukraine in the Odessa region

In the presence of the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitaliy Koval, the Italian Ambassador to Ukraine Carlo Formosa on Thursday signed an agreement with the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Research in Bari (CIHEAM) on the launch of the Pro.UKR project worth 9 million euros.

As reported to the Interfax-Ukraine agency by the Italian Embassy, the purpose of the agreement is to promote sustainable development of agriculture and ensure food security in the agricultural areas of the Odessa region.

The project, which will strengthen the productive, technical and organizational capacities of local agricultural producers, livestock enterprises and cooperatives, will be implemented entirely in Odessa, a city under Italian patronage for reconstruction, demonstrating Italy’s commitment to one of the regions most affected by the war. The program, developed jointly with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and technical experts from the Odessa region, will include the provision of tools for agricultural and zootechnical production, the introduction of new technologies and sustainable irrigation systems.

“The agri-food sector is one of the key components of Ukraine's economic recovery, particularly in rural areas where small businesses have been particularly hard hit by the conflict. Italy reaffirms its support through a specific project aimed at strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agricultural development,” said Ambassador Formosa.

The Pro.UKR programme is part of Italy’s wider efforts to support the recovery of Ukraine and the Odessa region in order to promote the country’s economic and social resilience in the current difficult circumstances.