77% of the area of all contracts is in the Kharkiv region: the compensation program is in effect
16.07.2025
Volodymyr Bayda, Director of the Humanitarian Demining Center (Center), took part in a meeting of the Mine Action Coordination Center under the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration. In his speech, he outlined the results of the implementation of the state program of compensation for agricultural land demining (compensation program), in particular in the Kharkiv region.
"The compensation program allows farmers to receive quality services at market prices, and the state to use funds effectively and return land to cultivation as soon as possible," said Volodymyr Bayda.
Since the start of the compensation program:
494 applications for compensation were submitted – over 82 thousand hectares,
76 contracts were signed for the amount of UAH 853 million ,
Work has been completed under 30 contracts – over 3.1 thousand hectares have been cleared,
The average savings per 1 ha of demining is 17% .
Kharkiv region is the undisputed leader in the program:
42 contracts were signed with a total area of 11.1 thousand hectares and the cost of works - 670.9 million UAH. That is, more than 76% of the total area and funds under the signed contracts fall precisely on the Kharkiv region.
353.9 hectares of agricultural land in the specified region have already been cleared.
These figures demonstrate the high level of interest of local communities and farmers in restoring access to land. In addition, the active participation of mine action operators allows achieving real results in a short time.
"The Kharkiv region is demonstrating activity in implementing the compensation program, and this is yielding tangible results for farmers and the economy of the region," the director of the Center emphasized.
During his speech, Volodymyr Bayda outlined the areas in which the Center is working to make the program even more accessible and effective:
- expanding access to the program to individuals who are not registered in DAR, but own or use agricultural lands. It is assumed that applications will be submitted by local governments, and escrow accounts will be opened by individuals with their assistance.
- expansion of the program to forests affected by hostilities. This amounts to 171,000 hectares that require demining, including forest edges, trails between villages, areas near schools and residential buildings.
"The results of the compensation program show that the created model works - and can be scaled not only to agricultural lands, but also to other territories. We have not only practical experience, but also an economic basis for expanding the program," Volodymyr Bayda summarized.