Ukraine’s Mine Problem: A Challenge to Restoring Farmland
About 30% of Ukraine is contaminated with mines, a result of Russia’s ongoing invasion. International help is needed to clear these areas and make them usable again.
Ukrainian officials say they have made some progress in clearing mine-contaminated land. About 20% of the affected areas are now safe for use. The economy minister said that Ukraine needs help from anyone who can provide equipment or money to support demining efforts.
The State Emergency Service says that Russia’s invasion has left about 174,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. This is an area larger than Greece. Demining this amount of land will be a long and difficult process, taking possibly a century or more to complete.
In the Mykolayiv Oblast region, clearing just one hectare of farmland can yield four additional tons of grain. If all the contaminated areas are cleared, Ukraine’s total grain exports could increase by 3 million tons.
International support has been significant. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has provided technological solutions and machinery to help with demining efforts. Other countries like Canada, Switzerland, Germany, and Japan have also contributed about $1 billion in aid.
Japanese-made equipment will make up a third of all demining machines in Ukraine by the end of the year, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. This help is crucial for farmers who have been impacted by Russia’s invasion. One farmer, Inna Boiko, has had her 50,000-hectare farm heavily contaminated, but most of it has now been cleared and is ready for planting again.
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