The first contract for demining agricultural lands under the state program was signed in Ukraine.

The Center for Humanitarian Demining signed the first contract with the auction winner for the demining of agricultural lands. The demining operator "Ukrainian Demining Services" became the winner and will demine a plot of 86 hectares in the Shevchenkiv community of the Mykolaiv region.

The first agreement on demining an agricultural land plot in Ukraine was signed thanks to open tenders in the Prozorro system. This led to a reduction in the initial price by more than 1 million hryvnias, which will allow the state to save money and the farmers to receive compensation for the demining costs. In the Prozorro system, there have already been 11 similar auctions with the participation of 2 to 6 participants. During the bidding, the price decreased by over 18%, which will save the state budget more than 44 million hryvnias, reported Yulia Svyrydenko, Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

The farming enterprise participated in the state program to compensate the cost of demining agricultural lands in July.

The area to be demined in Shevchenkove consists of 12 plots of varying difficulty levels. They contain cluster munitions, anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines, and small arms ammunition. Some plots are covered with grass, and others also have trees and reeds. The operator will receive 4.85 million UAH for demining the plot. Shevchenkove was practically on the front line during the first year of the war.

Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Igor Bezkrovainyi noted that the signed contract and the deminers in the fields are proof of the successful operation of the compensation program. Both large and small agricultural producers participate in the program, and the competition at auctions is up to 6 bids per lot. This creates transparent conditions for the demining market and allows for the effective demining of lands, added Igor Bezkrovainyi.

In total, the Center for Humanitarian Demining announced 20 auctions for the purchase of demining services for agricultural plots with a total area of 6,690 hectares in the Prozorro system. The next nine auctions are scheduled for October 1 for plots of 2,470 hectares with an initial price of over 172 million hryvnias.