In the farmlands of Ukraine, residents face a harsh reality: their fields are littered with the debris of war instead of being sown with crops. The presence of landmines has devastated the Ukrainian economy and disrupted the lives and livelihoods of countless farmers, from those managing large-scale productions to local gardeners.
The impact extends beyond lost crops. Landmines threaten farmers鈥� lives and can also destroy thousands of dollars worth of equipment, undermining years of investment and stripping farmers of their ability to support their families and communities. In the case of Ukraine, where millions of hectares of agricultural land are potentially filled with mines and other explosive debris from the conflict, this deadly contamination has had effects on the global food supply as well.
"Demining is very important for our country because the land is our mother who feeds us.鈥�
Ukraine, home to some of the earth鈥檚 most fertile land, is one of the world鈥檚 top agricultural exporters. Its exports, of wheat especially, are of crucial importance to some Asian and African countries. Smaller, community-based agricultural efforts are also vital to local economies, providing essential sustenance and supporting the livelihoods of villagers across the country.
Ivan Ivanovych is one of these residents whose local garden produces a bounty of vegetables every year for his household and the residential area of Nemishayeve in Kyiv Oblast.
After his village was liberated from Russian occupation, returning home as soon as possible was paramount for Ivan. He, like many other elderly Ukrainians, was driven by a profound connection to the land he had cultivated for his whole life.
Upon his return, Ivan was looking forward to plowing his vegetable garden. However, a task that used to be routine revealed dangers lurking beneath the surface.
When the tractor driver set out, he found a crater left behind by a rocket or shell. 鈥淲e also found some kind of unexploded rocket near the electricity pole and bits and pieces of exploded ordnance scattered around my plot of land,鈥� Ivan recounts. Fortunately, they were lucky to notice before Ivan鈥檚 tractor had a chance to strike a landmine, tripwire, or other explosive hazard.
Visible damage on the electricity pole in Ivan's garden suggests explosive hazards may be nearby.
These lethal threats were reported to the authorities and HALO teams were quick to verify the contaminated area and safely remove the explosive items. A large plot of land right next to Ivan鈥檚 garden was cleared as well. Now, Ivan and his neighbours in and around Nemishayeve will be able to enjoy the upcoming harvest.
Farmers across the country are returning to their homes and farms to confront the same deadly challenges. That's why HALO is conducting landmine clearance operations in six oblasts across Ukraine and providing risk education sessions in a further three oblasts. In Mykolaiv Oblast alone, one of the most heavily mined areas in the country, we recently handed over nearly 90 acres of cleared agricultural land to local farmers.
On World Food Day, we are reminded that landmine clearance is not only about saving lives鈥攊t鈥檚 about restoring livelihoods. Clearing explosive ordnance from Ukraine鈥檚 farmland is critical to reviving its agricultural sector, feeding its people, and ensuring that the country can once again contribute to the global food supply. As we work to make land safe, we are also helping to rebuild communities, provide employment, and restore hope.
With every field cleared and every explosive removed, HALO is helping to build a future where the people of Ukraine can once again feed their families, their communities, and the world.
