Project
Local food and other products in a picnic meeting in Lviv, Ukraine.
A four-year continuation of the ‘Support to align Ukrainian legislation, policies and institutions with EU acquis in agriculture and rural development’ (IPRSA) project reflects its success and reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and EU accession readiness. By strengthening institutions and aligning with EU frameworks, the programme is helping build an inclusive and resilient agricultural sector — even in the face of war.
Ukraine is a nation deeply rooted in agriculture. Up to 40 million hectares of some of the world’s most fertile land produce important crops, such as wheat and maize, ensuring domestic food security and contributing to global supply chains. Or look at its flag, which is said to symbolise the country’s abundant golden wheat fields shining under blue skies.
However, a legacy of collectivist policies means that commercial operations, which comprise a small percentage of Ukrainian agricultural enterprises, dominate the domestic supply and cultivate most of the land.
About 8.3 million smallholder households – over half of Ukrainian families – till only 15% of Ukraine’s arable land. These operations are plagued by inefficiencies and are unconnected to markets, only viewed as “safety nets” in times of calamity and shortages.
While large-scale operations are important for national and international markets, smallholder farms are the backbone of many rural families’ food supply. Increasing their share of total agricultural production could further increase yields, diversify the local market, bring higher incomes, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Now in its third phase, the IPRSA project seeks to contribute to a more inclusive agricultural sector in Ukraine. NIRAS’s biggest EU-funded agricultural project to date, it capacitates various levels of government to foster an enabling environment for smallholders to participate more actively in the national agricultural sector.
IPRSA 1 targeted interventions in state agencies and piloted strategies at the oblast and municipality level, ultimately helping to enable a positive environment for sustainable smallholder agriculture development.
The programme assisted in reinstituting the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food (MAPF) and improving its management and structure, providing strategic planning, and kick-starting digitalisation efforts.
Mainly, the IPRSA team ensured the preparation, adoption, and implementation of a “realistic and attainable” agriculture and rural development (ARD) strategic plan. Another notable outcome was the creation of an Agriculture Policy Unit, composed of six dedicated personnel within the MAPF, for results-based decision-making.
Action plans for the state agencies on fisheries and forestry were also drawn up and adopted, recognising these industries’ role in Ukraine’s economic development and biodiversity.
At the outset, IPRSA 1 sought to bolster the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement – a landmark pact that heralded deeper political and economic linkages between the two parties. Ukraine has adopted 11 laws and 28 bylaws related to agriculture as a result of these efforts, further aligning the country with EU standards, strengthening relations, and increasing cooperation.
A breakthrough was the creation of the State Agrarian Register (SAR), a comprehensive, electronic list of all agricultural producers. EU Member States are required to have such a system, facilitating an effective and transparent allocation and management of support for farmers. As such, the Ukrainian SAR provides helpful data for decision-making and serves as a hub for registered farmers to apply for financial assistance.
IPRSA 1 facilitated the disbursement of EUR 70 million in EU production support grants to 34,143 small-scale farmers, including EUR 20 million for farmers in liberated territories. It also supported 254 matching grants from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) worth USD 3.6 million (EUR 3.06 million) to micro and small producers.
farmers registered
hectares of land registered
animals registered
Sweet indications
Did you know that Ukrainians produce more honey per person than any other country in the world? With about 700,000 engaged in beekeeping, the industry is a key economic contributor and a source of national pride. Protecting such a golden treasure is essential as its full potential is still waiting to be unlocked.
Following its commitment to empower smallholder farmers, IPRSA 1 started efforts to preserve agricultural products through geographical indications (GIs). As is done in the EU, some product names are protected to promote specific characteristics and traditional know-how linked to their place of origin (think Champagne), giving consumers a promise of authenticity and combating misuse or imitation.
To make this possible, the programme helped draft and advance the legal framework of Ukraine’s GI system. It also facilitated capacity-building activities and helped erect relevant institutions, such as certification bodies. As a result, 12 GIs have been created for local agricultural and wine products, supported by 22 pieces of related legislation and the registration of GI producer associations.
A standout GI example is honey from the Zakarpattia oblast, where IPRSA 1 piloted the creation of a pollen atlas. The activity helps pinpoint the botanical and geographical origin of bee products, an important step in securing Ukraine’s spot as the top honey supplier to Europe. Completed in 2025, the atlas offers some clues on Transcarpathian honey’s sweet secrets.
Undeterred by war
Up to 70 experts were deployed across Ukraine at the height of the war. Despite complications, such as displacement of staff and the central government’s change in priorities to defence and humanitarian aid, work on IPRSA has been able to continue by shifting its implementation priorities to:
Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe, second only to Russia, with a land area of 603,628 square kilometres. Decentralising governance has become a high-level national priority in the past decade, with a law enabling local hromadas or villages to self-govern through amalgamated territorial communities (ATCs). Closer ties with Europe necessitated further progress in administering development support to rural areas.
With increased powers on pertinent issues such as land use, these local institutions were harnessed by IPRSA 1 as it prepared and supported ATCs in implementing local agricultural initiatives, such as cooperatives. A noteworthy initiative piloted in six oblasts was the creation of smallholder innovation groups, a platform for farmers, governments, and other stakeholders to collaborate on production and marketing solutions.
In June 2022, Ukraine became a candidate for accession to the EU, heightening the urgency of IPRSA 1’s efforts to align the country with EU standards. IPRSA 2 sought to further harmonise Ukraine’s ARD policies with EU acquis, or the body of law incorporated into the legal systems of all EU member states.
IPRSA’s second phase supported the MAPF – now merged into the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture (MEEA) in August 2025 – in adopting action plans for ARD to 2030 and irrigation strategies to 2050. It analysed national legislation compliance and sustained regulatory reform by drafting 20 legislative documents, with nine of these – one law and eight bylaws – being adopted as of October 2025.
IPRSA 2 additionally sought to build EU-compliant institutions and systems and followed up on activities implemented during the first phase. The SAR was strengthened with an additional 42,472 smallholder farmers registering. The Farm Accountancy Data Network, an accountability mechanism that monitors farms’ business activities, was piloted in two oblasts.
were supported to access financial support
in support bridged from state/EU programmes
in FAO matching grants facilitated
It also supported efforts to increase stakeholder awareness and capacity on ARD policies and the relevance of harmonisation efforts with EU rules. It organised 42 communication initiatives attended by 1,830 participants, as well as digital efforts reaching more than 159,000 people.
Notably, the programme helped in finalising roll-out plans for an Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System, which can help farmers gain access to relevant research and agricultural extension programmes.
In late 2025, NIRAS was awarded the third phase of IPRSA, a four-year project to further develop past initiatives. IPRSA 3 will focus on improving the capacity of government institutions in strengthening rural agriculture and implementing reforms, in line with the EU accession path. It positions agriculture as a key foundation of Ukraine as it faces the challenges of recovery and embraces the European community.
