The maritime corridor of the ports of Greater Odessa is operational, with 65% of Ukrainian agricultural products being exported, and Ukraine remains a reliable partner for supplying various types of crops to African countries, stated Taras Vysotsky, the First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food, at the agricultural forum "Ukraine-Africa 2024."
"Ukraine understands its role in ensuring food security. At the beginning of 2022, when the supply process from Ukraine was disrupted, global food prices increased by 35%. This significant rise indicates the importance of Ukrainian food for the world. It is crucial for us that food is directed to where it is needed. We are always ready to collaborate with our partners in developing technologies, irrigation, and soil analysis. We are prepared to adapt these technologies to the needs of our African colleagues," — the press service of the ministry quoted his speech.
Oksana Osymachko, the Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food, noted that Ukraine is currently trying to transition from being merely a food supplier to a provider of agricultural technologies.
"We can conduct research on fertilizer quality and laboratory studies so you can combat drought using the most modern technologies and efficiently utilize water and other resources for the development of this sector," — she emphasized.
Osymachko highlighted that Ukraine aims to develop partnerships with African countries in the agricultural sector across all possible directions. One of these is training African students in specialized universities in Ukraine.
"Ukrainian educational institutions can train more than 1 million foreign students. This is another opportunity for the development of our cooperation. Ukrainian universities have extensive experience working with students from Africa. Before the full-scale invasion, we had over 76,000 students from African countries studying with us," — said the deputy minister, adding that Ukraine is ready to participate in long-term projects and investment processes.
The "Ukraine - Africa" forum gathered online representatives from 21 African countries, agricultural producers from Ukraine, and relevant government bodies. In particular, representatives from Gambia, Cape Verde, Guinea, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Botswana, Ghana, Egypt, and other countries participated in the event.