HarvEast continues to strengthen its position in the domestic agricultural sector by implementing a long-term strategy to expand its irrigation infrastructure. The company has announced plans to increase its land under irrigation by 500 hectares annually.
Currently, HarvEast manages 1,100 hectares of irrigated land in the Kyiv region. An analysis of the company's assets indicates the potential to extend this irrigation network to cover an additional 2,000 hectares. This systematic expansion is vital for stabilising yields and ensuring the production of high-quality crops regardless of weather conditions.
Strategic Investment in Ukraine's Future
This infrastructure development reflects the strategic vision of SCM shareholder Rinat Akhmetov. The priority remains to invest in export-oriented Ukrainian industries, even amidst the war, to support the national economy, preserve jobs, and facilitate Ukraine's deeper economic integration with the European Union.
HarvEast CEO Dmitry Skorniakov described the target of adding 500 irrigated hectares per year as a conservative but achievable plan. The irrigated fields are primarily dedicated to high-margin crops such as seed corn, sunflower, commercial corn, high-oleic sunflower, and soy.
Supporting Domestic Manufacturing
In executing this strategy, HarvEast relies on a mix of international technology and Ukrainian engineering. The company currently employs eight irrigation units produced by Variant Irrigation. Following a period of testing where the domestic equipment proved as effective as foreign machinery, HarvEast has committed to further cooperation with the Ukrainian manufacturer.
Resilience and European Integration
This expansion is particularly notable given the context of the company's recent history. Founded in 2011, HarvEast has faced significant challenges due to russian aggression, including the loss of control over approximately 150,000 hectares in the Donetsk region, as well as the loss of seed plants and machinery.
Despite this, the company continues to innovate. Since 2017, a core focus has been developing seed production capabilities through advanced irrigation techniques. This focus on quality is essential for the European market. As Dmitry Skorniakov recently stated, conforming to EU standards allows Ukrainian farmers access to 450 million European consumers, making predictable trade rules more beneficial than unregulated access.
Furthermore, the company is looking toward the future of agritech. Beyond irrigation, Ukrainian farmers are already leaders in using technologies such as agricultural drones, with expectations that advanced military technologies will further boost the industry's capabilities after the war.
By expanding its irrigation capacity, HarvEast is not only securing its own production cycles but also demonstrating the resilience of Ukrainian agribusiness and its readiness to operate within the high standards of the European market.
