As the Agro PortalThe Government of Ukraine plans to adopt a potato development program by the end of 2020. This was discussed during the opening meeting of the working group on the development of potato and vegetable growing industries.
“The development of such an important area for the agro-industrial complex as potato growing and vegetable growing in general requires the synergy of the efforts of the Ministry of Economy and specialized associations. Consequently, our working group begins work on programs for the development of these industries in order to eliminate import dependence on certain commodity items, increase exports, create additional jobs and increase the production of value-added products, "said Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky ...
Thus, those present got acquainted with the program for the development of industrial potato growing, developed by the Ukrainian Association of Potato Producers. The goal of the program is to ensure the production in Ukraine of 800 thousand tons of potatoes per year for consumption by the population, to ensure a sufficient amount of raw materials for processing and production of value-added products - starch, chips, mashed potatoes, French fries, and it is also planned to build storage facilities.
“The implementation of the program is envisaged, among other things, through the attraction of state support, in particular, compensation for the cost of certified seeds, compensation for irrigation equipment, etc. Among the expected effects - an increase in the area for production by enterprises by 40 thousand hectares, the creation of at least 10 thousand additional workers places, an increase in tax revenues to the budget by UAH 52 million annually, the production of domestic certified seeds, saturation of the domestic market and an increase in potato exports.
According to Taras Vysotsky, the program will be worked out by the participants of the working group within two weeks and discussed at the next working meeting on August 4. He added that after processing, the program will be presented to the government, and its approval is expected by the end of the year.