On the eve of the Field Day “AGRO CHALLENGE” 2026, Kyiv region once again finds itself in the center of attention of the agrarian community of Ukraine. It is in the capital region that one of the main field agrarian events of the country has formed – a platform where agrarians, equipment manufacturers, government representatives, experts, and businesses meet to discuss real challenges and practical solutions for the industry.
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Today, Kyiv region is an example of how the agricultural sector is capable not only of maintaining economic stability in wartime conditions but also of continuing development – attracting investments, opening new productions, and scaling up processing. Despite constant security challenges, the region remains one of the most powerful agrarian regions in the country, where large agricultural enterprises and farms operate, technologies develop, veteran businesses and local processing thrive.
The holding of “AGRO CHALLENGE” 2026 precisely in Kyiv region looks like a logical step. Today, the region combines various levels of agricultural production – from family farms to industrial agro-companies, from processing to technological solutions and investment projects, while remaining a territory with high security risks and responsibility for the stability of the food system.
In such a reality, the value of agrarian events changes. They go beyond demonstrating equipment or seasonal novelties and become an environment where the agricultural market shapes new approaches to work, tests solutions in real conditions, and identifies growth points for the industry in the long term.
We talked with Natalia Havatiuk, Deputy Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, about the role of the agricultural sector in the region’s economy, support for farmers, the investment attractiveness of the region during the war, the development of veteran entrepreneurship, and expectations for the Field Day “AGRO CHALLENGE.”
Agro Team Expo: By the end of the 1st quarter of 2026, over UAH 10.2 billion had been received in the general fund of local budgets of the Kyiv region, which is a quarter more than last year. How much of this amount was generated by agricultural enterprises? Name the top industries in the region by tax contribution.
In the 1st quarter of 2026, agricultural entities in the Kyiv region paid UAH 1,336.4 million in taxes, which accounts for about 23.1% of the annual volume in 2025. This indicates the preservation of stable revenue growth rates, taking into account the seasonality of agricultural production. The number of people employed in agriculture is 26,000.
According to the official data of the Main Department of the State Tax Service in the Kyiv region, in 2025, the top 4 industries in the Kyiv region by the volume of tax revenues were:
– Processing industry – 17.6% or UAH 14.2 billion;
– Wholesale and retail trade – 16.6% or UAH 13.4 billion;
– Public administration and defense – 16% or UAH 13.0 billion;
– Agriculture, forestry, and fishing – 8.2% or UAH 6.6 billion
growth from the previous year 27.4% or +UAH 1.4 billion.
Agro Team Expo: Considering the strategic importance of agriculture for the capital region, what measures are being taken to stimulate this direction? (Including support and organization of professional agrarian events).
The region has a Comprehensive Program for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas of the Kyiv region for 2024-2027, aimed at supporting the employment of rural population (including military personnel and their families), creating additional opportunities for income growth of rural population, supporting the development of livestock and crop production in the Kyiv region. In particular, the following measures are envisaged:
– Partial reimbursement of the cost of purchased breeding heifers, heifers, and cows – up to UAH 10,000 per head, but not more than 30% of the cost (excluding VAT).
– Partial reimbursement of the cost of purchased breeding goats, goatlings, young goats, and ewe lambs – up to UAH 5,000 per head, but not more than 30% of the cost (excluding VAT).
– Subsidy for the increase in cows of own reproduction – UAH 3,000 per each head of the main herd increase.
– Subsidy to individuals for keeping cows – up to UAH 1,500 per cow for households that keep more than two cows.
– Partial reimbursement of the cost of purchased seed of niche crops of Ukrainian production (flax, mustard, coriander) – up to 50% of the seed cost (excluding VAT).
– Partial reimbursement of expenses for the creation or expansion of production facilities for the processing of agricultural products – up to 50% of the equipment cost (excluding VAT), but not more than UAH 200,000.
Applications for participation in the programs are accepted until October 1, 2026.
Agro Team Expo: Which district is the agrarian capital of the Kyiv region?
Each district of the Kyiv region has its agricultural strength and specialization. But when it comes to scale, concentration of agricultural business, and production potential, one of the leaders is undoubtedly the Bila Tserkva district. It is the largest district in the region in terms of territory, where crop production, animal husbandry, processing, and modern agricultural technologies are actively developing.
Agro Team Expo: Kyiv remains the target of the enemy, while the Kyiv region is a stronghold where the main efforts to repel attacks are taking place. Why have military risks not reduced the investment attractiveness of the region for agrarian business? (for example, the production of semi-finished products for Hesburger). What factors, in your opinion, outweigh the threats?
Kyiv region has strategic advantages – proximity to the capital, developed infrastructure, markets, and access to skilled labor. This creates favorable conditions for business development and investments even in a challenging period.
It is worth noting that investors increasingly make decisions not only based on security risks but also taking into account the potential for recovery and development. In this context, examples of localization of production, particularly in the processing and production of semi-finished products for international chains like Hesburger, are indicative of growing trust in the region. The total investment in the respective project amounted to 7.3 million euros. The production capacity of the enterprise allows processing about 6 tons of meat per day and supplying products to up to 50 restaurants. In Ukraine, there are 7 restaurants of this network located in Kyiv city and the Kyiv region.
Agro Team Expo: Veteran business and ATO business in the agricultural sector of the region – name an example that stood out to you.
Many of our boys and girls find peace and a new meaning in agriculture after returning from the front. They actively develop their own business, making a contribution to the economic recovery and food security.
Various initiatives and brands are already represented on the market working in different areas of agricultural production, including beekeeping – the apiary “MEL_AGROCULTURA” “Medi Trypillya” Vyshhorod district; craft production of sauces – individual entrepreneur Holik T.V. “VITREBENKI”, Salivonky village, Bila Tserkva district; fruit growing – individual entrepreneur Kanashkin A.P., “Family Strawberry Farm Kanashkins” in Kalynivka town, Brovary district.
Among the relocated business entities, it is worth noting the individual entrepreneur Zakharenko Ivan Ivanovich, who is engaged in the cultivation of planting garlic of the “Lyubasha” variety in the Bila Tserkva district.
Agro Team Expo: Your expectations from AGRO CHALLENGE for agriculture in the region?
Expectations from AGRO CHALLENGE primarily include strengthening the innovation of the agricultural sector in the region, attracting new ideas and practical solutions for agrarians.
It is also important that such initiatives contribute to the development of processing, digitalization, and increased production efficiency, as well as help scale successful cases to the regional level.
Separately, we expect that AGRO CHALLENGE will become a platform for business, communities, and young professionals to cooperate, which will ultimately enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector of the Kyiv region.
Agro Team Expo: Do you have personal experience in agriculture? Have you ever grown anything? (Helped parents, had a garden, etc.)
Yes, of course. From childhood, I had a full “agricultural package”: a garden, a hoe, weeds, and a potato season with my grandmother and parents. Back then, it seemed like a normal part of life, but today I understand that such things teach us to respect the work of people on the land and appreciate every harvest. That’s why today I have a special respect for people working in agriculture and ensuring the country’s food security.
Agro Team Expo: Village or city?
Village
Agro Team Expo: Borscht or sushi?
Borscht
Agro Team Expo: What dish is a symbol of the region?
Officially, Kyiv region does not have a “symbolic dish,” but one of the most colorful ones can be called borscht with fried crucians. Taras Shevchenko wrote about this dish, and today you can taste it at the Vytach bakery in Vytachiv village. It is very characteristic of Kyiv region – authentic, tasty, and with a history.
Agro Team Expo: Who was the last agrarian businessman you spoke with?
Recently, as part of the “Dialogue of Government and Business” platform, I visited one of the most powerful agro-enterprises in Ukraine – LLC “Niva Pereyaslavschyny.” The enterprise was founded in 1998 by Oleksandr Mostipan – Hero of Ukraine, who made a significant contribution to the development of the country’s agro-industrial complex.
The company cultivates over 23,000 hectares of leased land, grows grains, technical, and fodder crops, has its own compound feed plant with a capacity of 230,000 tons of production per year, and 12 modern pig complexes, each capable of raising 30,000 piglets per year.
The company also includes a modern meat processing plant and an elevator with a storage capacity of 173,000 tons. The enterprise has implemented zero-waste production, uses bio-boilers and modern wastewater treatment systems, and the elevator is fully energy-independent.
Since the start of the full-scale aggression, LLC “Niva Pereyaslavschyny” has invested over UAH 1.1 billion in the Ukrainian economy and paid over UAH 1.8 billion in taxes to budgets at all levels. The company employs over 2,000 workers, actively supports social initiatives, communities, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, implementing charitable and security projects.
Agro Team Expo: If you had to give up all products except one, what would you keep?
Definitely meat. I’m not a fan of sweets, but I truly love meat dishes.
Agro Team Expo: The current state of the agricultural sector in the region: growth or survival?
The agricultural sector of the Kyiv region is simultaneously demonstrating growth and survival mode. On the one hand, arable land is preserved, stable yields, investments, and processing development. On the other hand, high costs, staff shortages, and security factors force some farms to operate on the brink of stability.
Agro Team Expo: In 50 years: Ukraine agrarian or industrial?
I believe that in 50 years, Ukraine will be a strong agro-industrial state where modern agriculture will be combined with powerful processing, technologies, and industry. Our future lies not only in production but also in creating products with high added value right in Ukraine.
Agro Team Expo:
Kyiv region today demonstrates that the agricultural sector is not only about production but also about economic resilience, community development, and the ability to work in conditions of constant challenges. Such regions form the basis of the country’s food security and determine the pace of transformations in the sector.
“AGRO CHALLENGE” in this context becomes not just an event but a platform where these processes become visible and discussable – through experience, practice, and direct dialogue among all market participants.
The Field Day “AGRO CHALLENGE” 2026 will take place on May 20-21 in Olenivka village, Kyiv region. It is here that agrarians from different regions of Ukraine will gather again to see equipment and technologies in action, discuss the challenges of the season, and formulate practical solutions for the industry.