The Humanitarian Demining Center has signed the first contract with the winner of the auction for the provision of agricultural land demining services. It is Ukrainian Mine Action Services, a mine action operator that will clear an 86-hectare area in the Shevchenkivska community of Mykolaiv region. This was announced by First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko during the fourth meeting of the Sectoral Working Group on Mine Action.

“For the first time in Ukrainian history, we have a signed agreement on demining an agricultural land area as a result of open bidding in the Prozorro system. Thanks to competition, the initial price was reduced by more than one million hryvnias. As a result, the state will save money, and the farmer will receive full compensation for the cost of demining from the state. In total, 11 similar auctions have already been held in the Prozorro system. Between 2 and 6 bidders competed in the auctions. The price drop during the bidding was over 18%, which will save the state budget over UAH 44 million,” said Yulia Svyrydenko.

In July, the farmer applied for participation in the state program to compensate for the cost of demining agricultural land. 

The territory to be demined in Shevchenkove consists of 12 areas of varying levels of complexity. They contain cluster munitions, anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines, and small arms ammunition. Some of the areas are covered with grass, while others have trees and reeds. The operator will receive UAH 4.85 million for demining the site. In the first year of the war, Shevchenkove was actually on the front line.

“The signed agreement and sappers in the fields are the best evidence that the compensation program is working. It is very important for me that both large and small agricultural producers apply for the program, and the competition at auctions among operators is up to 6 offers per lot. This means that we have created transparent conditions for key players in the demining market and this will allow us to demine our land faster and more efficiently,” said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravaynyi. 

In total, the Humanitarian Demining Center has announced 20 auctions in the Prozorro system for the procurement of services for the demining of agricultural land areas with a total area of 6,690 hectares. The next nine auctions are scheduled for October 1. The area of the plots to be procured is 2,470 hectares, and the starting price is over UAH 172 million. 

“We have signed the first contract with the winner of the auction for demining agricultural land. Three more contracts may be signed by the end of the week. The very fact that auctions are held and work has begun is very important for both farmers and operators to see that the market is working and to be more willing to participate in auctions, including those that will take place on Tuesday, October 1. And the global demining community can make sure that we have managed to create clear and transparent conditions for the humanitarian demining market,” added Volodymyr Baida, Director of the Center for Humanitarian Demining.  

It is worth mentioning that the issue of humanitarian demining is overseen by the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine ensures the interaction of central executive authorities in the mine action field, particularly in the area of humanitarian demining.