Ukraine: Potato Seeds Distribution

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has distributed much-needed potato seeds kits to vulnerable Ukrainian farmers so they can plant food in time for the next harvesting season.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has distributed much-needed potato seeds kits to vulnerable Ukrainian farmers so they can plant food in time for the next harvesting season.

Over 46,000 people have been reached with the potato seeds kits over the last weeks. In total, 862 metric tonnes have been delivered to those in need.

One kit contains 50 kilograms of potato seeds and it can yield about 600 kg of potatoes, which may be stored for many months for consumption, used for the following planting seasons or sold to local markets.

SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Mariia Huda, resident of the village Khlopchytsi: “If the harvest is good, we will multiply them [the seeds for the next seasons]. We consume a lot [of potatoes], we grow them in the field and near the house.”

Smallholder producers play a critical role for the country’s food security. These farmers contribute 41 percent to the gross agricultural production and are key for local employment. But agriculture-based livelihoods have been severely impacted by the war.

FAO has been operating in Ukraine since 2003 and after the start of the war, the organization has developed and updated its Rapid Response Plan (RRP) to provide agricultural assistance and ensure food security to those most affected by the ongoing war.

SOUNDBITE (English) Pierre Vauthier, FAO Ukraine Designated Responsible Officer: ““It's absolutely crucial right now to help the farmers. The big ones but also the small ones. First because there will be a lack of income later on and the country will not be able, of course, to have access to food at the national market, and [there] could be some problems with prices rising, but also because agriculture is one of the major sectors [in Ukraine]. So when you have [a] reduction of production from the farmers, then all of the country is affected.”

The seeds distribution was made in time for the spring potato sowing campaign to ensure that the planting season of this nutrient food was not missed for vulnerable households.

Agriculture is the backbone of Ukraine’s economy and is a key source of income for 12.6 million people (30 percent of the population) who live in rural areas of the country.

Through its response plan, FAO is providing crop and livestock inputs along with cash to support most affected smallholder farmers and livestock holders to meet seasonal deadlines. This support

will enable households to produce vegetables, cereal crops, milk, meat, and eggs to feed themselves.

SOUNDBITE (English) Pierre Vauthier, FAO Ukraine Designated Responsible Officer: “What is impressive is to see what the Ukrainian population is doing to resume a normal life despite the current situation. What is very noticeable is in fact their capacity to be resilient to the current situation and this is happening in the cities, but also in the countryside.”

FAO is calling for USD 115.4 million in funding to provide support to 979,320 small farmers and medium-sized producers through December 2022 to boost food availability and access. To date only USD 11 million have been raised. With more resources, FAO will be able to reach more people in time to support the maintenance of spring crops and fall harvest preparation. This support is needed urgently.  

TORY: UKRAINE / POTATO SEEDS DISTRIBUTION

TRT: 1:58

SOURCE: FAO

RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT FAO ON SCREEN

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 10 MAY 2022, KIEV, UKRAINE / 6 MAY 2022, LVIVSKA OBLAST, UKRAINE / 30 APRIL 2022, DNIPROPETROVSKA OBLAST, UKRAINE

SHOTLIST

6 MAY 2022, LVIVSKA OBLAST, UKRAINE

1. Wide shot, farmers unloading sacks of potato seeds kits from a van

2. Close up, farmer loading potato seeds kits on a wheelbarrow

3. Med shot, farmer loading potato seeds kits on a car

4. Wide shot, farmers unloading potato seeds kits from a van

5. Med shot, farmer leaving with potato seeds kits loaded on a wheelbarrow

6. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Mariia Huda, resident of the village Khlopchytsi:

“If the harvest is good, we will multiply them [the seeds for the next seasons]. We consume a lot [of potatoes], we grow them in the field and near the house.”

30 APRIL, DNIPROPETROVSKA OBLAST, UKRAINE

7. Wide shot, farmers taking sacks of potato seeds kits from a truck

8. Close up, potato seeds kits

10 MAY 2022, KIEV, UKRAINE

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Pierre Vauthier, FAO Ukraine Designated Responsible Officer:

“It's absolutely crucial right now to help the farmers. The big ones but also the small ones. First because there will be a lack of income later on and the country will not be able, of course, to have access to food at the national market, and [there] could be some problems with prices rising, but also because agriculture is one of the major sectors [in Ukraine]. So when you have [a] reduction of production from the farmers, then all of the country is affected.”

30 APRIL, DNIPROPETROVSKA OBLAST, UKRAINE

10. Wide shot farmer taking a sack of potato seeds kits from a truck

11. Close up, potato seeds kits being prepared for distribution

12. Med shot, farmer taking a sacks of potato seeds kits from a truck

10 MAY 2022, KIEV, UKRAINE

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Pierre Vauthier, FAO Ukraine Designated Responsible Officer:

“What is impressive is to see what the Ukrainian population is doing to resume a normal life despite the current situation. What is very noticeable is, in fact, their capacity to be resilient to the current situation and this is happening in the cities, but also in the countryside.”

30 APRIL, DNIPROPETROVSKA OBLAST, UKRAINE

14. Close up, potato seeds kits

15. Pan right, farmers waiting for potato seeds kits

16. Tilt up from a van loaded with potato seeds kits to farmers waiting for distribution