A program to support cotton cultivation is launching in Ukraine
Starting June 10, 2026, the State Agricultural Register (DAR) will begin accepting applications for non-repayable financial assistance for cotton cultivation.
Support is available to farmers in the Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions, who will be able to receive up to 10,000 hryvnias per hectare for this year’s crop.
Agricultural producers and sole proprietors operating in these regions are eligible to participate.
To participate in the program, applicants must submit a package of documents, including: a certificate of cotton planting results (signed by a legal entity or sole proprietor) and a certificate from the State Tax Service confirming the absence of tax arrears.
Applications will be accepted until July 10, 2026.
The Ministry of Economy noted: “The introduction of this new crop is a response to serious climate challenges. Due to the destruction of irrigation systems and rapid warming, traditional agriculture in southern Ukraine requires a shift in crops. Thanks to its deep root system, cotton is extremely drought-resistant.” The ministry also emphasized that the crop “is capable of producing stable yields even on degraded and arid lands without excessive water use.”
According to the ministry, in 2025, two producers from the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions received compensation, with a total planted area of 5 hectares and total payments amounting to 50,000 UAH.
Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky stated: “Industrial cotton cultivation is a strategic priority for the agricultural sector and is important for Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex. Creating our own raw material base for nitrocellulose production will help reduce dependence on imports and provide new opportunities for agricultural development in the south of the country.”
As reported, in 2024, Ukraine harvested its first cotton crop on an area of over 5 hectares, and the Verkhovna Rada simplified the import and circulation of varieties of this crop, which is necessary for the production of gunpowder. Cotton is also used for the production of fabric and oil.
This was reported by the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture.
In 2026, Ukraine’s largest fuel station network, UKRNAFTA, doubled its fuel procurement volumes compared to the previous year to ensure stability for farmers during the planting season.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko held a large-scale meeting with representatives of the agricultural sector. The discussion focused on the safety of the planting season amid shelling, insurance against war risks, and support for farmers in frontline areas. The government also announced new grant programs and the introduction of electronic warfare (EW) equipment for farmers.
