A mine action operator has cleared the first site under the state programme of compensation for the demining of agricultural land. The land in question is a total area of 487 hectares in Kyiv region, owned by the Institute of Potato Growing of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. In general, the demining carried out by UDS operator lasted from October to late December last year.
"This is very good news, because we actually launched the compensation programme to bring more agricultural land back into use. And the fact that the first plot was handed over in January is a very good start to the year. In total, the Humanitarian Demining Centre has signed 47 agreements with operators to clear more than 9,500 hectares of agricultural land. This will make a significant contribution to enhancing the safety of people living in the areas affected by the hostilities, as well as economic activity in these regions," said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi.
A total of 78 sappers and 5 paramedics were involved in the demining. Demining machines were also used for the work. During the survey, sappers discovered the remains of small artillery shells and ammunition from hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers. They were destroyed in the course of land clearance. In total, the operator's specialists removed 623 kg of war remnants, including ammunition fragments and other elements, during the clearance of the territory.
The cost of demining the site was UAH 15 million, 55% lower than the expected cost calculated for the procurement. Five operators competed in the auction for the right to clear the site, and they reduced the cost of demining by UAH 17 million. As a result, it cost UAH 30,800 to clear one hectare of the area.
Background information
The programme to compensate farmers for the cost of demining agricultural land was launched in September this year. It provides for 100% coverage of the cost of land clearance to be carried out and 80% compensation for land that has already been cleared and the farmer has all the documents confirming this. In 2024, more than UAH 500 million was used under the programme, and the budget for 2025 envisages another UAH 1 billion for this purpose.