On February 16, 2017 the III British-Ukrainian Agribusiness Forum ‘Agribusiness in Future: Investments in Profitability’ took place under the VII International Exhibition ‘Grain Technology’. The event was organized by the British Embassy in Ukraine together with the Association ‘Ukrainian Agribusiness Club’ and Baker Tilly Company.

Forum attended by the British, Ukrainian and international agricultural companies was dedicated to the topics of additional profit from effective management in the areas of crop and livestock production.

During event the best British experts on household biosafety and modern UAV technologies in managing farms told about ways to improve effectiveness of agricultural economy.

Great Britain is a world leader in agricultural technologies, innovation and sustainable development, opportunities for development and application of the emerging and existing technologies, products and services to improve performance. The contribution of agriculture sector to the economy of Great Britain is GBP 9 billion. In addition, national agricultural business forms the backbone of the food industry production the contribution of which reaches GBP 26 billion.

Creena Lavery, the First Secretary of the British Embassy in Ukraine, in her opening speech expressed hope that cooperation between Ukrainian and British companies in the agribusiness would increase. ‘We hope to step up our presence on the Ukrainian market and increase the number of joint activities. At the beginning of this year, 20 British farmers and consultants visited Ukraine. In December last year, a group of the Ukrainian agricultural producers also visited the UK annual agricultural exhibition ‘Lamma’ and the largest research center of Syngenta in Jealott`s Hill, England.

The first part of the event was dedicated to improvement of profitability in crop production.

Oleksandr Baskov, representative of Baker Tilly, noted that last year only three sectors of the Ukrainian economy showed growth, i.e. IT, agricultural industry and pharmaceuticals. Hence, in his opinion, it is high time for the domestic agricultural producers to show their capabilities since the interest in industry is somewhat speculative at the moment. He spoke about the prospects of oil and fat complex, one of the most profitable sectors in agricultural industry. In particular, the expert emphasized a tendency of refusing from palm oil in favor of high oleic that, according to Oleksandr Baskov, is opening up certain possibilities to Ukraine.

Last year high oleic hybrids occupied 10-11% of the sunflower area in Ukraine. Serhii Tymoshenko, Oil Market Expert of Syngenta predicted an increase of bonuses for oleic sunflower growing that season in Ukraine at the level of USD 25-30. The expert reminded that since the end of 2015 bonuses for growing high oleic hybrids were sharply reduced due to the tension after harvesting in 2014 as well as significant increase of growing in Europe and consumption slowdown. But at present day the tendency has changed. Since 2016 the areas under high oleic sunflower in the EU and South America have been greatly reduced. For example, in Argentina the production fell from 18% to 6% in view of export duties cancellation. It became unprofitable to grow. Therefore, our forecast for high oleic sunflower shortage is 200-300 thous. tons, and we believe that growing of these hybrids is quite promising for the Ukrainian farmers’, said Serhii Tymoshenko, Oil Market Expert of Syngenta predicted an increase of bonuses for oleic sunflower growing that season in Ukraine at the level of USD 25-30. The expert reminded that since the end of 2015 bonuses for.

During her speech Larysa Makarchuk, Finance Director of Agricom Group, enlarge upon the plans of Group in 2017. She announced the launch of flake production plant in Chernihiv region in September. In addition, she said that in 2017 Agricom Group is planning to invest USD 300-400 thous. in irrigation project in Luhansk region. Owing to investments the company expects to increase corn yields up to 13-14 t/ha. ‘In Lugansk region we alloted nearly 300 ha of land for irrigation. The expected payback period is 4-5 years’, explained Larysa Makarchuk. She also noted that the company is reducing the share of oil crops in the sowing structure. 40% of lands are under winter grain crops.

During the second part of forum, domestic and foreign experts talked about receiving additional income from the effective management.

Mike Button, representative of Coventry Chemicals, Honorary Bachelor of Veterinary Science, spoke about the importance of biosecurity for pigs and cattle as well as biosecurity plan during an outbreak of the disease: ‘Violation of biosecurity can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases: ASF (African swine fever), avian flu and others. Prevention is always cheaper than treatment. If the disease spreads, it will lower animals’ productivity and have devastating consequences. The fight against ASF cost EUR 1 billion to the European Union, GBP 8.5 billion - to Great Britain. For example, poor control of the cows’ mastitis can cost the producer 38 euros for treatment per head’.

Mike Button also spoke about benefits of effective biosecurity program implemented on the farm. ‘Implemented in practice biosecurity program covers all stages of the farm organization starting from protection at the farm entrance to growing and movement of cattle. The main focus of the program is aimed at preventing disease and raising healthy animals. As a result, the productivity of livestock is decreased, the number of animals and birds is reduced. Modern technologies allow to carry out effective health measures in order to prevent diseases and reduce necessity of using antibiotics. Introduction of biosecurity program provides not only protection for our own farms, but also the neighboring ones and the countryside in general,’ the expert noted.

‘Today Ukraine is one of the most promising market for Great Britain in exports of agricultural technologies’, said Dr. Simon Dohetry, Animal Science and Aquaculture Specialist for the UK Government’s Agri-Tech Organization, Senior Vice-President of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association and Northern Ireland Branch of the British Veterinary Association. The expert shared British experiences on the farms biosafety as well. He said that the British strategy for development of agricultural technologies works to provide three key components: scientific research, progressive supply chain and dynamic business maintainance.