USAID AGRO allocates 270 mln hryvni to Ukraine for elevator capacity development projects
MOSCOW. Jan 15 (Interfax) - A total of 270 million hryvni were allocated under the Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) activity of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for joint financing of 10-15 projects for the development of grain elevator capacities, Ukrainian media outlets said with a reference to the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.
Ukrainian enterprises providing services of drying, storing and refining of grains and technical crops will able to receive between 18 and 26 million hryvni in joint financing for the implementation of their projects, the press service said.
Projects are expected to increase the amount and time of storage of grains and technical crops, which will enable farmers to receive necessary services in a timely manner and required volume, and drying and refining capacities are expected to preserve the quality of farmers' products.
"Overall, it will contribute to the resilience of businesses and improve the food security in Ukraine," the ministry said.
According to the published conditions, applicants of the grant program must provide their services in refining, drying and/or storing grain to at least 70 micro, small and medium agricultural producers as part of one project. The provision of grain storage services to micro, small and medium agricultural producers will be increased at least by 20,000 tonnes a year and/or at least by 50,000 tonnes of grain a year when it comes to the provision of grain drying services, it said.
The requirements also include the provision of at least 50% of total services in refining, drying and/or storing grain to agricultural producers cultivating (renting) lands of under 500 hectares.
Applicants increasing grain elevation capacities of their refining enterprises and introducing energy-efficient technologies, as well as applicants fitting the definition of small and medium enterprises (having a staff of 10-300 employees, $100,000-$15 million of yearly turnover and yearly amount of assets), will have additional advantages.
Those wishing to apply for the grant program must register for the January 23 pre-application seminar before January 19. The deadline for filing applications for the first round containing a technical proposal, budget, and accompanying documents is February 14. Applications will be considered as they are received. USAID AGRO will continue receiving applications until July 3, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.