Ukraine Cleared 572 Hectares of Agricultural Land in March 2026

What Happened

In March 2026, demining efforts in Ukraine resulted in the clearance of 572 hectares of agricultural land. This was part of a state program aimed at compensating the costs associated with demining operations, as reported by the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture.

Key Details

The Ministry revealed that operators completed six contracts for demining agricultural land during the month. They reported that operators received 35.4 million hryvnias (approximately $1.2 million USD) for their work.

Each hectare of land cleared in March had an average demining cost of 59,000 hryvnias (around $1,600 USD). Under two contracts initiated by the Humanitarian Demining Center, operators began demining over 85 hectares of agricultural land, totaling costs of 5.8 million hryvnias.

The Ministry indicated that the low activity in the first quarter was due to a review of the "Humanitarian Demining" budget program, which temporarily halted the processing of applications from farmers and landowners. As of now, the submission and review of applications have resumed, and demining work is ongoing under 37 contracts covering approximately 8,000 hectares.

A total of 82 contracts have been completed, returning 14,600 hectares to use. The overall cost of these demining operations stands at nearly 854.5 million hryvnias. The demining compensation program is financed as part of the Ukraine Facility Plan, addressing the need for cleared land for agricultural use.

In March, the government also simplified participation requirements in the program. Farmers now need only to submit an application for the clearance of specific plots, subject to verification by the Humanitarian Demining Center.

Additionally, state agricultural enterprises using state-owned land are now eligible for compensation benefits. It also clarifies the operational principles of the National Mine Action Authority amid and post-conflict.

According to prior reports, more than 100,000 square kilometers in Ukraine remain potentially hazardous due to unexploded ordnance left from conflict. The ongoing demining initiatives are critical for restoring productivity in affected agricultural zones and ensuring the safety of farmers and communities.

Why It Matters

The demining of agricultural land is essential for restoring the agricultural sector in Ukraine, significantly impacted by conflict. By returning land to safety, these efforts support food security and economic recovery in the region.

Background

Demining in Ukraine has become a priority following significant contamination from conflict-related explosives. As part of efforts to clear land and promote safe agricultural practices, the government has established compensation programs and streamlined procedures to facilitate faster action in recovering vital agricultural areas.

Ongoing legislative efforts aim to enhance safety and efficiency in mine clearance operations across the country.