Ukrainian farm leaders visit Nebraska to study technologies, build bridges between agricultural economies

As Russia’s war on Ukraine nears 1,600 days, the conflict continues to reshape lives far beyond the battlefield — including the farmers working to preserve one of the country’s most important industries.A 21-person delegation of Ukrainian agricultural leaders visited Nebraska this week to study farming technology and irrigation systems as they look toward rebuilding a sector heavily damaged by the war.Nebraska state officials welcomed the group at the Capitol during the delegation’s almost two-week trip. Secretary of State Bob Evnen took time to meet with them one-on-one.“The people of the United States and the people of Nebraska stand strongly with the people of Ukraine,” Evnen said.Throughout the visit, the delegation met with companies focused on irrigation and agricultural technology. Several Nebraska-based companies are at the cutting edge of that equipment.Dmytro Kokhan, one of the Ukrainian agricultural leaders, said his country is always looking for ways to advance its farming techniques, especially as the war has wiped out so much of the irrigated areas.“We had five times more irrigated land before the war,” Kokhan said. “We need to restore irrigation, and we need to put the most advanced technologies that we can find in America.”The trip is part of the U.S. government-funded Ukraine Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities, or AGRO, activity—implemented by Chemonics International. The University of Nebraska’s Daugherty Water for Food Institute helped guide the delegation during its time in the state. “I feel like I’m almost at home,” Kokhan said. “Nebraska is pretty much similar to what you can see in Ukraine.”For some members of the delegation, home and its absence hung heavy overhead.Serhiy Rybalko’s family farmed in Ukraine’s Kherson region for seven generations before Russia’s invasion forced his family from their land.“We were forced out,” Rybalko said. “Now my land is in the Russian occupation.”Farmers across Ukraine have faced threats including land mines, drones and unexploded munitions. Hundreds of thousands of acres that once produced crops are now damaged or inaccessible.Rybalko said returning home and rehabilitating his land remains the goal.“It’s very difficult for me and for my family,” he said. “But we live with belief. We live with a dream. We come back to home.”The delegation is scheduled to leave Nebraska Wednesday, taking with it lessons from a state known around the world for its agricultural expertise and ideas for rebuilding Ukraine’s farms after the war.

LINCOLN, Neb. —

As Russia’s war on Ukraine nears 1,600 days, the conflict continues to reshape lives far beyond the battlefield — including the farmers working to preserve one of the country’s most important industries.

A 21-person delegation of Ukrainian agricultural leaders visited Nebraska this week to study farming technology and irrigation systems as they look toward rebuilding a sector heavily damaged by the war.

Nebraska state officials welcomed the group at the Capitol during the delegation’s almost two-week trip. Secretary of State Bob Evnen took time to meet with them one-on-one.

“The people of the United States and the people of Nebraska stand strongly with the people of Ukraine,” Evnen said.

Throughout the visit, the delegation met with companies focused on irrigation and agricultural technology. Several Nebraska-based companies are at the cutting edge of that equipment.

Dmytro Kokhan, one of the Ukrainian agricultural leaders, said his country is always looking for ways to advance its farming techniques, especially as the war has wiped out so much of the irrigated areas.

“We had five times more irrigated land before the war,” Kokhan said. “We need to restore irrigation, and we need to put the most advanced technologies that we can find in America.”

The trip is part of the U.S. government-funded Ukraine Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities, or AGRO, activity—implemented by Chemonics International. The University of Nebraska’s Daugherty Water for Food Institute helped guide the delegation during its time in the state.

“I feel like I’m almost at home,” Kokhan said. “Nebraska is pretty much similar to what you can see in Ukraine.”

For some members of the delegation, home and its absence hung heavy overhead.

Serhiy Rybalko’s family farmed in Ukraine’s Kherson region for seven generations before Russia’s invasion forced his family from their land.

“We were forced out,” Rybalko said. “Now my land is in the Russian occupation.”

Farmers across Ukraine have faced threats including land mines, drones and unexploded munitions. Hundreds of thousands of acres that once produced crops are now damaged or inaccessible.

Rybalko said returning home and rehabilitating his land remains the goal.

“It’s very difficult for me and for my family,” he said. “But we live with belief. We live with a dream. We come back to home.”

The delegation is scheduled to leave Nebraska Wednesday, taking with it lessons from a state known around the world for its agricultural expertise and ideas for rebuilding Ukraine’s farms after the war.