A large-scale project called “Return to the Field” has been launched in Ukraine, enabling farmers to receive free non-technical field surveys (NTS) from commercial mine action operators.
The initiative is being implemented within the framework of a joint memorandum signed between Feodal and the Ukrainian National Association for Humanitarian Demining (UNAGR). The project also involves more than 10 mine action operators. The implementation of the initiative will not only speed up the survey and demining of agricultural land, but also protect farmers from accidents.
“The project provides farmers with the opportunity to receive free NTOs from commercial mine action operators. This process is critically important, as obtaining an official NTO of an agricultural producer’s land, in case of confirmed contamination, allows them to receive state compensation for humanitarian demining of agricultural land. It is impossible to apply for compensation without conducting an NTO,” comments Andriy Demianovych, CEO and founder of Feodal.
In recent years, many farmers have been waiting for a non-technical survey (NTS) and demining, but some did not wait and were forced to act on their own: turn to the so-called “black sappers”, try to remove explosive devices themselves, or return to the fields without proper inspection. However, even the fact that a land plot has been sown does not guarantee its safety. The mine could have changed position, for example, by standing on an edge, remain unexploded due to lack of sufficient pressure, or fallen deeper into the soil, which creates a risk of detonation during subsequent field work.
The Ukrainian National Humanitarian Demining Association (UNHDA) has united active mine action operators who are ready to conduct free demining for farmers.
The project ensures that commercial mine action operators conduct free demining, and if demining is required, it is provided with state funding in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of March 12, 2024, No. 284. On the procedure for using funds provided for in the state budget to compensate for the costs of humanitarian demining of agricultural land.
According to Feodal, at least two-thirds of agricultural producers’ land masses return to cultivation after the NTO.