NEWS AND VIEWS: "Farmer's Project" offers development aid for Ukraine (05/19/02)

NEWS AND VIEWS

"Farmer's Project" offers development aid for Ukraine

by Dr. Laryssa Kyj

Last winter, Ukraine's Parliament at long last ratified the Land Law. Although such a law should have been implemented long ago, it must be noted that, unfortunately, in its current format the law is flawed and can only benefit non-Ukrainians. According to this law, land may be owned by a Ukrainian citizen or a registered "legal entity." Unfortunately, foreign investors, primarily Russians, make up 90 percent of these "legal entities."

The Ukrainian peasant who has obtained his land has no means of creating a profitable farm and becoming the master of his own ancestral land if he does not join with others to obtain loans in order to purchase necessary farming equipment.

Some of the "legal entities" are eagerly waiting for the peasants to give up their land so they can purchase it. No country can be truly democratic and strong without a middle class, a position that Ukrainian farmers could, with some help, realistically achieve.

To this end, the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee (UUARC) office in Lviv has prepared a "Farmer's Project" for the Ukrainian farmer. A budget has been prepared for the purchase of machinery necessary for such an enterprise.

The following are expenditures that would be required for a typical cooperative farm business: tractor, plow, cultivator - 135,000 hrv; seeder - 25,000 hr: grain gathering combine - 400,000 hrv: sprinkler - 15,000 hrv The total sum of these expenditures for farm machinery is 575,000 hrv, equivalent to $110,000. The project is based upon a $10,000 to 15,000 start-up loan from the planned UUARC Land Fund. The business will turn to the Microscopic Fund Bank for loans to cover larger capital outlays.

This type of assistance, known as "development aid" is extremely necessary and beneficial for Ukraine. The time has come to focus our assistance on projects that are self-sustaining. Until now, our aid rarely sustained itself, and our community is running short of funds. Furthermore, aid that fails to sustain itself perpetuates the unhealthy Soviet-era mindset that has already inflicted grave damage on the psyche of the Ukrainian people.

Such loans can reinforce villages and help create a middle class of wealthy farmers. Orphanages, boarding schools and old-age homes in Ukraine are all included in county, regional, municipal and collective farm budgets. There are no funds for the support and maintenance of these humanitarian establishments when industries and businesses are not functioning and villages are not maintaining their budgets.

The Ukrainian people are very generous - willing to share their last piece of bread. That is why aid toward the development and maintenance of small farm enterprises and cooperatives will, in the long run, help orphanages, boarding schools and old-age homes survive.

We might recall that in 1981, through the efforts of the UUARC, Ukrainians in America established a Brazilian Land Fund of over $750,000 for Ukrainian peasant families with limited income and many dependents. These peasants repay their loans with bean crops, which the fund sells, thus sustaining itself. The fund has its own local administration and is still in existence today. At present, the value of the fund has increased to $1 million.

With its rich fertile soil, Ukraine has been the "breadbasket of Europe" for centuries, which is why this type of cooperative farm program - very successful in Poland and other Western European countries - should be further supported. In addition to helping people get on their feet financially, and helping the fiscal health of the entire country, it can also change the people's mentality and make them independent and self-sufficient.

The UUARC calls upon all generous Ukrainians in the diaspora to respond to this appeal and to assist in the realization of this project. Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to: United Ukrainian American Relief Committee Inc., 1206 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111.

Dr. Laryssa Kyj is president of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee.

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