Government launches procedure to compensate farmers for the cost of demining agricultural land at the contact line

The Government has recently adopted a decision that provides for compensation for farmers whose land has already been demined by certified mine action operators from 24 February 2022 to 15 April 2024. And also for farmers who are only planning to start demining their own agricultural plots or work as tenants. This is reported by the Government portal.

The state will compensate 80% of the cost of demining. Those agricultural producers whose land is located in the de-occupied territory outside the combat zone are entitled to compensation.

The fact that such areas are contaminated with explosive ordnance must be confirmed by the Mine Action Centre based on the results of a non-technical survey conducted by a certified mine action operator.

Farmers whose land was cleared by such operators between 24 February 2022 and 15 April 2024 can already apply.

To do this, fill out an application for compensation and send it to the Humanitarian Demining Centre’s email address: [email protected], attaching copies of documents confirming the fact of demining, namely

  • contract for demining services
  • certificate of services rendered;
  • a document confirming payment for the services rendered.

The Humanitarian Demining Centre will verify the documents, compile a list of eligible farmers and submit the documents to the Commission under the Ministry of Economy, which will make the final decision.

Those farmers who are only planning to demine the land they work on can submit applications and supporting documents for compensation through the State Agrarian Register. The cost of demining will be determined at an open auction in the Prozorro system.

Compensation will be provided only once for one area contaminated with ERW.

The budget for 2024 allocates UAH 3 billion for compensation for the demining of agricultural land.