In January, mine action operators completed the clearance of 5 sites under the state programme of compensation for the demining of agricultural land. The total area of the plots returned to use by farmers is almost 640 hectares, and the cost of their demining, which is compensated by the state, is UAH 20.6 million.

“January was a landmark month for the demining market. For the first time since the launch of the state compensation programme, private operators have fully completed the clearance of sites under five agreements. As a result, farmers received almost 640 hectares of land back for use. Mine clearance under other contracts is ongoing. This year, we will continue the programme and hope to attract donor funding to clear even more agricultural land,” said First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Also in January, under 16 previously concluded agreements, operators began clearing land of mines and unexploded ordnance. The total area of these lands is more than 1,300 hectares, and the cost of demining is over UAH 85.1 million.

In the first month of the year, the state transferred UAH 94.7 million to escrow accounts for farmers under the programme. The total area of land to be cleared with these funds is 1,546.3 hectares. In total, since the start of the programme, the state has transferred almost UAH 530 million in compensation from the state to farmers who ordered demining services and joined the programme to pay mine action operators.

In January, 34 new applications were submitted by farmers for participation in the programme.

Since the start of the programme and as of 1 February, the Centre for Humanitarian Demining has signed 50 agreements with operators to carry out work on a total area of over 9,300 hectares. The cost of the works under the agreements is more than UAH 536.5 million.

According to Yuliia Svyrydenko, the Government continues to work on strengthening its mine action capabilities. Since the beginning of the year, the number of certified operators has increased to 82. Work is currently underway to automate the certification process, which will further accelerate the speed and convenience of obtaining certificates and increase the number of operators in the market.

In addition, joint work with international partners is underway to improve the supply of demining equipment to operators. In particular, Ukraine currently has more than 200 mechanical demining machines, and the country has localised the production of foreign models of equipment.