The Ukrainian ambassador to the Netherlands, Vsevolod Chentsov, said during a visit to the Dutch Agricultural and Horticultural Organization (ZLTO) in 's-Hertogenbosch for the Dutch agricultural industry.
Improving the educational level of agricultural specialists, exchange of practical experiences and joint projects between Ukraine and the Netherlands were the main topics of the working visit of the Ukrainian ambassador, according to the correspondent of the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform in The Hague.
"Our task is to help Ukrainian and Dutch farmers to the maximum in establishing cooperation and attracting scientific and educational potential for the needs of agriculture and the food industry," said Chentsov.
ZLTO chairman Wim Bens, in turn, said that Ukraine had great opportunities for agricultural development. “When we look at Ukraine, we see a large country with incredible opportunities. But there is also something to work on. When we talk about investing in countries like Ukraine, we always have to consider infrastructure. Our farmers can go to a country like Ukraine, but they need infrastructure: roads, a network of laboratories, qualified specialists on site, "Bens told Ukrinform.
A discussion meeting highlighted the positive impact that land reform could have on the agricultural sector in Ukraine. At the same time, it is of great importance for Dutch farmers to acquire land ownership there.
Land ownership is of great importance to Dutch agricultural companies, and is also a precondition for financing infrastructure projects by Dutch financial institutions and for lending to agricultural companies. The fact that farmers own the land is highly unusual in Ukraine and elsewhere in Eastern Europe. In most cases, agricultural production still comes from collective farms or privatized former state enterprises.
“I learned a lot about Ukraine when I was in school and later in university, especially about agricultural opportunities. We spoke to the Ukrainian ambassador and a Dutch farmer who worked in Ukraine. So I am sure that we can interest Ukraine in Dutch agriculture and vice versa, the Dutch farmers in Ukraine, 'ZLTO board member Hendrik Hoeksema told Ukrinform.