Ukrainian Agrarian Policy Ministry determines priorities of cooperation with World Bank

MOSCOW. Oct 8 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Vitaly Koval has proposed to the World Bank to support the development of the irrigation system and the seed production on irrigated lands in Ukraine.

"The creation of an efficient irrigation system is a national priority of Ukraine. The most difficult situation is in the east and south of the country, and other regions are also having problems with water supply to agricultural lands," Ukrainian media outlets quoted a social media post Koval wrote following a meeting with a World Bank delegation led by Operations Manager for Eastern Europe Kevin Tomlinson as saying.

Koval said he is confident that the sooner the amelioration system is created and operating, and water reaches farmers, the faster the agricultural sector would be restored, and Ukraine would be able to enhance its internal and external food security.

The Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry's team sees several interaction tracks involving the World Bank, he said. They are, in particular, the assistance to farmers from a number of problem regions and the creation and implementation of the plan for the development of Ukraine's irrigation system.

Additionally, Koval proposed the World Bank delegation to implement together the project of the Ukrainian seed production which can be developed only on irrigated lands.

"Its implementation will help in the production of agricultural products with added value," the minister said.